1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Consumer Reviews

Vehicle

1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon

Review

Although purchased used, this car was great until it reached its fifth birthday. Over the last five years this car has nickeled and dimed (or more accurately $500 and $1,000) us to death, especially with the pesky check engine light that has been diagnosed at least three times. I've put more into this wagon over the last five years than I did for my last two Toyotas which had double the mileage. So much for my European love affair, I'm going back to the orient where my cars have been reliable to over 150,000 miles

Best Features

How it has lots of room both for passengers and cargo.

Worst Features

Has VW ever heard of "continual improvement"? If not their engineers should take a course on how to build a reliable car.

Vehicle

1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon

Review

I bought my 1997 Volkswagen Passat new in 1997 after having good luck with a 1989 Golf. However, the Passat has been of poor quality and I will never purchase another VW. Problems include the door handles, power windows and front end (tie rods, bearings). I get nervous when the "check engine light" is not on (faulty air pump, does not impact drving). It is a great handling car, it is roomy and I like the VR6 engine with the 5-speed manual transmission. I am at 135,000 miles and the next major repair will force me into a Honda or Toyota dealership.

Best Features

Handling, VR6 engine, and roominess.

Worst Features

Improve the quality!

Vehicle

1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon

Review

How can I describe the worst car
experience of my life. We bought this
car used in '99 with 60K miles on it.
Admittedly, we have driven many many
highway miles and the car now has 196K
on it but everything, everything has
broken. We've replaced the brakes four
times, two "super reliable Audi"
transmissions (don't buy that sales
feature), constant problems with door
handles, constant front end problems,
etc etc. We thought the car was cool
and powerful- the best compromise for a
growing family buying a station wagon.
What we ended up with was a huge money
pit that has not had the check engine
light off for more than a week since we
bought it.

Best Features

Nice handling and powerful engine... good storage space.

Worst Features

Everything mechanical should be replaced. It's all bad, has all failed for us, and costs a fortune to replace from consistently horrible dealers.

Vehicle

1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon

Review

Our Passat is like a race car; great
high-performance fun to drive, but
spends a lot of time in the mechanic's
pit. Since buying ours in 1997
problems we’ve had include: 7 power
window repairs; 4 oil leak repairs
(still leaks oil); peeling interior
door handles (replaced twice, still
peeling); side-mirror control failure
(twice); heater core failure;
alternator failure; air conditioning
failure (still doesn't work—real fun in
summer!); check engine light regularly
comes on (VW dealer will then charge
you to fix problem, then the light
comes on again as you're driving away--
6 times so far for us, and the light is
on again).

Best Features

Snappy, sporty car. A delight to drive and roomy, too.

Worst Features

Improve poor quality of materials. Improve abysmal overall reliability.

Vehicle

1997 Volkswagen Passat Wagon GLX V6 4dr Wagon

Review

I have been really happy with my 1997
Volkswagon Passat Wagon. The only
feature that I don't like is the
electronic locking system which
freezes every winter. Otherwise, it's
a fun and good handling car.

Best Features

handling, looks

Worst Features

Change the electronic locking system.