Used 2004 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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So Bad We are Selling It After 15,000 Miles
Dave Melichar, 09/08/2006
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We have had this car for a bit over two years and it has been in the shop five times. The windows have stopped working twice, ocassionally the sunroof will refuse to close, there are pieces falling off in the engine compartment, the dash squeeks (the dealer refuses to even acknowlege it is an issue), the console cover would not close completely and the radio has been replaced twice. We have a two year old who when playing with the vents was able to break the vent louvers with one finger. You would think a car designed for a family would be robust enough to survive the two year old one finger inspection. All this in 15,000 miles. This is not what I would call a well designed car.
Don't Buy One
mugsy, 10/06/2010
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Too many problems---prone to engine failure& electrical problems--I had to replace 2 front axels all 4 coil packs (got stranded twice after the warrenty expired). Complained to VW. They sent me a recall on coil Packs 2 years later. I had thrown out receipts & already gotten rid of car because I didn't know what was going to go bad next. Repair bills are very costly at the dealership. VW is a car I will never buy again. I now own a Nissan Rogue.
2004 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
Showing 3 of 19 listings
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $5,4886 mi away
- GLX WagonMSRP: $3,500196 mi away
- GLX 4Motion SedanMSRP: $3,000209 mi away
See all 19 listings
Wagon: Fun to Drive??
knelson, 09/24/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
After owning more cars than I like to admit, this is a pleasure,fun,family car.Sporty,FAST & classy to boot.Love the speed and beautiful interior.Feels more expensive than it is.Rear seats fold down easily for hauling.The 4 motion saved me the 2nd day I owned it.This car has spoiled me for anything else.Own a Jetta too& will always have a VW in my garage!!
So far so good
naessj, 10/14/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Picked up my new GLX 4-motion Wagon last week. I already have a 2000 Golf and had some early problems (all warranty), so I am 'on guard' this time. BUT, so far everything is great. The gas mileage is less than I would like, but that's the price for the fast lane. Initially I checked out Subarus (the next Outback / Forester) and for the price (got a good deal) I gould not pass up the VW
Sweet Ride
Ethan, 11/03/2010
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought our wagon with about 24k on it, it now has 56k and we've had 32k problem free miles. We were looking to replace it just to get something newer but realized that was pretty unnecessary. Nothing except a newer Passat wagon has the same space with the same features. It's not a performance machine but does nicely on the freeway and twisty roads.
Sold, thank god!
Robert - Atlanta, 08/31/2008
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is junk. I have been waiting to sell/trade the car so I could write this. Do not buy one unless you like going to the repair shop. Also, since the car breaks frequently, they have taken loaner cars away. Please note that I work on cars and took immaculate care of this vehicle. These items broke due to poor build: Antilock computer system, front emblem fell off (700 miles), heated seats, door lining, radio, 2 rear speakers, brake lights, cv axles, cat. converter, fuel pump, seats wore. Also this car has a timing chain, do not buy around 100K since you will be out 700-1400 $$$$. Buy something else for your own good. Also, be leery of the VW dealers around Atlanta - Scammers!
Awesome Car!
cj5689, 12/03/2003
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love this car! This is my second Passat. After looking at number of other sedans both lower and higher in price (BMW,Honda,Mercedes,Toyota), I could not justify leaving the VW and all of its standard features, quality of materials, fit and finish, and most of all, the crisp and responsive handling. Plus with 6 airbags and anti lock brakes standard, its a great family car as well which was important for me. Its not the cheapest and certainly not the most expensive sedan, but when you look at what you are not getting in some of the lower priced competitors models, the Passat makes perfect sense!
Great Car!
RRanchL, 09/11/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is way more car than I expected! I went to get a Jetta and ended up in a Passat and am I glad. It's truely a luxury sedan at no where near the price of a BMW or Mercedes for the same features! I love driving it and you don't see a million of them on the road like some of the other sedan models! Highly, Highly recommend.
Love my VW!
schmoopy, 08/25/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Purchased a used 2003 GLX Passat with 34K mi. It was a big change going from a SUV, but I love it. I did a lot of research and got a great price. I haven't even had it a week yet, but am very happy. If you are looking for a car in this class, you must check it out. Great value for the luxury feel compared to other cars in the class. Lots of bells and whistles. Drives very smooth. Very fun to drive in the city and a great highway ride. Took a little time to get used to the way the gears change. Wish it didn't need premium gas.
bought gls tdi one month ago
blue moose, 07/25/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
In the one month that I have been driving my new TDI. I have been getting 3o miles to the gallon driving around town. The car is fun to drive, quick and responsive. I can't wait till I can get it on the road for a trip.
WORTH THE MONEY
HOPE, 07/17/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CAR FOR BOTH DRIVING AND PASSENGER RIDING. IT IS VERY SMOOTH AND QUIET. IT HAS A GREAT AUDIO SYSTEM AND EASY TO USE AND REACH BECAUSE OF THE DIALS ALSO BEING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS SAFER TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN BECAUSE OF THE ASR THAT IS AVAILABLE. THE CARGO SPACE IN THE WAGON GIVE YOU PLENTY OF ROOM FOR TRAVEL STORAGE AND EVERYDAY USE.
Simply the Best
marek, 06/02/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great car to drive on the Dallas Texas interstate. Easy and fun to drive and loads of safety features.
my baby
Spikeddy13, 08/31/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I love this car. It's my first car and I will never do anything other than a German build from now on. It's amazing.
Not satisfied
unhappy, 07/21/2008
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We got the 2004 passat with a special lease called the driver's option. We've had the car for 4 years and averaged about 11,000 miles a year. There is very little room for your personal things such as a wallet, sun glasses, water, cd's etc. The car must have had 8 recalls (seat heaters, fuel leaks etc.). The car spent about 6 weeks in repair shops and everything was under warranty but our lease is up and we'll NEVER buy another Volkswagen as long as we live. Now that the lease is up Volkswagen sent out their inspector to go over the car and charge us as much as possible for any scratch or nick they can find. I've leased a lot of vehicles but I've never been nit- picked like this. Beware!
Piece of junk
susan, 03/07/2009
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is the absolute biggest piece of junk we have ever owned. Car broke down on the highway at 70K, engine needed to be rebuilt ( all oil changes up to date ) The interior is falling apart; slats for heat, all outlets to charge cell phones are blown, console between seats never shuts. Just got the car back yesterday and it was dead again by the time I went to pick my daughter up at school. NEVER will buy another VW - I am going to send them all of my bills so they can see what a nightmare this has been. Selling the car - just bought a FORD
Makes you look real smart!
VolvoOwner, 04/08/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
First drove one as a Volvo service loaner and liked the firm handling. Excellent engine response and good turbo kick. Found 1.8L had sufficient pick up. The cool styling sedan is definitely a head turner on the road and the metallic blue finish (better than the other 4 shades of grey/silver) is a real knock out. Simple, sleek looking alloy wheels. The front leather seats are comfortable and the steering wheel has a sporty but rich feels. Monsoon CD sounds great. A very smart German buy as opposed to wasting $ on a locally assembled 3 series, which is inferior in terms of ride, comfort and handling.
Feels good to be in a new Passat
B5_Passat, 05/14/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My previous 99 GLS V6 Passat was the victim of a rear-end collision - this GLX replaces that car. In intervening five years, VW has added a lot of amenities - too numerous to mention. The car has the right balance of performance and practicality. The V6 is smooth, quiet, and very responsive. OnStar is an interesting addition to the Passat. Time will tell if this is a valuable feature. Overall, I was pleased with the purchase - $26K plus tax and 1.9% financing. This is pretty good considering MSRP is $31,430.
German precision
RussRamz, 05/15/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A silky smooth cruiser with a virtually silent W8 powerplant coupled with the finest 6 speed stock transmission I have ever driven (I don't like automatics much anyway). The clutch takes some getting used to, but it only takes about 15 minutes in traffic to become proficient. Once you do, you'll likely understand why most europeans prefer them over automatics.
Great Car
Sean, 12/05/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We have really enjoyed our new Passat. We test drove a manual and found it to be quite jerky and slow out of first gear. The automatic has the same brief slow start but is much less jerky. The car rides very well and looks great. It is comfortable to drive with good lumbar support and it really has a nice solid feel on the road. Some people have noted that the engine is sometimes confused when entering a freeway and shifts too quickly and does not approach top speed quickly. I've found that if you let it accelerate with moderate application to the gas pedal and then punch it at about 35-40 mph it will really go. We zip past other cars on the freeway without a pause.
Great Fun Car
rraleighguy, 03/29/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
After I got smart and left the Volvo cult--I got SOOO much more for my money at VW--The Passat handles great--is a great looking car--definitely the best car I've ever owned
More than my money's worth
Jasonf, 06/02/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
As a long-time truck driver the size of the wagon has taken getting some use to. I have now learned that bigger is not better! The Passat Wagon is fun to drive, safer than my trucks and all-in-all a very good value. Despite the age of the line I believe this vehicle to be one of the best looking wagons on the road. I actually feel I got more than what I paid for with the luxury, looks and performance the Passat provides.
Passat bests more expensive rivals
bbhall, 02/10/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We bought a Passat GLX after comparing with Audi A4, Volvo S60, and Infiniti G35. The S60 is a stodgy drive, the rear seat not roomy enough to regularly hold 2-3 adults comfortably, and service costs are high. The Audi provided a similar driving experience but felt cramped, especially in the back, and the CVT made the car lurch and surge. The Infiniti is all about acceleration and handling, but ride is a bit rough and interior not up to the VW standard, and styling is a little kitschy. I paid more for the Passat, but I got the better car. Passat competes well with entry luxury brands and functions better as a family car.
VW Passat, a great performer
Christopher W. Powel, 12/06/2005
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
At sixty-one years of age, I have owned quite a few automobiles and trucks. Having purchased my first Volkswagen in 1980, a Jetta, I have driven nothing else since. I bought the 2004 VW Passat GLX 4Motion for my wife in November of 2003, and had only one complaint. That complaint was precipitated by the "clunk" that transmission made when downshifting. However, a software update cured the problem, and we have had nothing but positive experiences with the car since. This is, without question, the most comfortable, best handling (for its size), and most reliable automobile that I have ever owned. I recommend the Passat to anyone who wants a high-quality car at a reasonable price.
Fast Fun
WayneTSchultz, 03/15/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The W8 is one smooth engine. The 6spd has a revised final drive ratio, and this wagon accelerates crisply. VW says it goes 0-60 in 5.9 and I have no reason to doubt it. This is a smooth and confortable cruiser. Be careful, and check the speedo often because I've often looked down to find I'm nearing the century mark. The best part is the law sees just another Passat wagon.
Great Wagon - Fun to Drive
mibo888, 03/04/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The GLX has probably more features than we really needed, but boy what fun it is to drive this car. Great engine, all the safety features you would ask for, and the 4WD was really nice in the winter. Appealing style from the outside with the 17" wheels, and IMO much better looking than the Audi solution on the same basis. Now if only the mileage would be better - so far only getting ~16MPG in mixed city/highway driving.
My Volkswagen Passat
Helen Adornato, 06/06/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
We purchased our vehicle in Sept. 2002 and are so very happy with our decision. In all the years we have both driven, we feel we have finally made the right choice. We find the vehicle to be safe and reliable. We are proud to be owners. \
Passat Diesel
Peter, 02/16/2005
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI for the size and comfort as well as the great fuel economybut it went downhill from there. I live in an area where it can snow 5 - 10 inches deep overnight. Even with front drive, traction control, and four studded winter tires I had a hard time driving in it. The ground clearence is only 4 inches so I was pushing the deep snow instead of driving over it. The temperature went down to -25 C for over a week and I could not get the car started. When it did start, it took a long time to get warmed up. My local VW dealer said thier garage was full with these cars as people couldn't get them started. This car has left me straded numerous times. I got rid of it and bought a Subaru.
awesome!
Brian, 03/13/2010
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Ive only had this car about 2 months, so far with 63k mi, my wife and i love it. 25-35mpg is a little less than i wanted, but still pretty good. fun to drive, takes corners like a champ.. 1.8T has been "upgraded" with a new performance chip, giving me roughly 200hp (up from 170), blowing those other sports cars away.
Great car
jmg, 08/12/2005
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A year and 7,500 miles after buying the car, it has been to the shop once -- for the scheduled oil change and service. Couldn't ask for more from a family wagon. It handles the streets of Manhattan just as nicely as the interstate. And lots of room for all our stuff.
This is a VW?
rangerfan, 01/29/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Very handsome sedan.Takes the bumps a little hard(would gladly give up some handling for that).Nice dashboard with all those red and blue lights.Looks like the cockpit of a jet.Just passed 8000 miles with no problems.Also,very nice power.I wish I could let this car out somewhere.Did go to 95 once and it felt solid.Love all those GLX goodies.
Comfort, Torque, Fuel Economy WOW!
Malinois, 09/23/2005
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I was looking for a vehicle that was: 1. comfortable 2. had the cargo and passenger space of my SUV (2001 Nissan Pathfinder) 3. wasn't anemic when it came to acceleration 4. had decent fuel economy. I found all of that and more in this VW Passat TDI. I typically get 29 mpg city and 38-40 mpg highway. With a little technique called venting, I can exceed 600 highway miles between fill ups. This is the first vehicle I have ever owned that has not disappointed me in some way. Now if VW could just make an all wheel drive version..., the 247 ft.lbs. of torque could probably handle 4-motion.
70,000 miles without problem
Curtson, 05/13/2009
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Most writers seem to have complaints but that is not my experience. I wrote about this car at 42,000 miles and am doing a follow-up. I still like this car as much as I did then. I've had to replace the headlight bulbs, a couple relay switches, and the rear lights. The timing belt replacement ($600) is usually done at 90,000 miles but I'm doing it at 80,000 to be on the safe side. I've replaced it in other cars so don't see this as an unusual expense. Slightly more expensive total repairs than my wife's 2005 Camry but it's a lot more fun - we always take this car.
Great car!
a.m.k., 02/03/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I test drove so many cars before the Passat and was immediately sold. I love everything about this car, and am so happy with my purchase. I love to drive this car and have found nothing negetive about it. I have and will strongly reccomed it to anyone I know shopping for a car.
The Best Car Ever Built
larry golin, 06/28/2005
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Most people who drive with me think the car is a V8 it has tremendous pickup, the seats are perfect for long distance driving with correct lumbar support and height adjustment. The car is equipped with all kinds of little niceties that others do not have. Such as lift away windshield wipers, stickless front hood holds, both front window express up and down, outside control of windows and moonroof with key window control without the key turned on, on board computer with total MPG and momentary MPG, total miles left on tank, Long term MPG and short term MPG etc. etc. It has both manual and auto shift which I like to brake the engine or going on a twisty turney road.
VW Stinks!
tarfoot, 05/28/2009
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
3 of 10 people found this review helpful
The car seems to be nice at first when you get it but after a while everything needs to be fixed on it. Even the oil change on it is $90. Its fairly new and i have put over 10,000 in repairs into it. Whatever you do DO NOT BUY A VW!!!!!! I also no people who have sold theirs for better cars since they had to go to the dealer every other week. Just to replace the air filter which is custom ordered it 75 you cant by the filter at walmart. I will never own a VW again and i encourage all of you not to even look at one. They might get excellent gas mileage but the money youll save you will spend fixing it. Then all the dealers want to run diagnostics every time which is 75. DONT BUY A VW!!
A really fine automobile
rob_rocket, 02/07/2012
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4 of 14 people found this review helpful
Original owner of a 2004 Passat GLS 1.8T, this has been one great car. Exceptional performance, handling and fuel economy. The VW/Audi 4 cylinder turbo engine is one of the most sophisticated production engines being built, and is easy to modify for even better performance and driveability. Mated with the automatic transmission, a reprogrammed VW turbo provides amazing low-end torque and acceleration. You can easily out accelerate a V8 powered machine off the line. I also have a 5 series BMW and honestly, this car is more fun to drive - more road feel, lighter, easier to put it where you want it on the road. But don't skimp on maintenance - this car requires regular, skilled car.
Wonderful Passat
DavidJ522, 09/29/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Passat GLX V6 combines a wonderful, stylish, toutonic design and a flawless drivetrain. As some say there are not enough "o's" in smooth to discribe its performance.
Fantastic
VWman, 11/25/2003
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is a wonderful car and my first vehicle. It is sporty enough to keep me happy but calm and luxurious to please passengers. The styling both interior and exterior is excellent- there aren't many other cars in the world that look as classy as this.
Love it
Denverw8, 02/08/2009
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (4.0L 8cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used after my 328xi was stolen. I was somewhat pressured into it and can't say I regret it. I drive in Denver and the mtns. I have been impressed by the smoothness and comfort of the car. It feels every bit as well built as my old 3 series. At 100+mph in the mtns, it feels as solid as any other German car I have owned. The 4 motion with snow tires is perfectly fine even in 14 inches of new snow yesterday. After 62000, I have not experienced any issues at all. I am frequently complemented on how nice it looks with the BBS rims and love the relative stealthiness of this car. I may never own a V6 again. I just added a new Kenwood nav/stereo/bluetooth...A+
Great car
tricia, 11/30/2003
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is the third Passat I have owned. It is a great car.....fun to drive and very stylish. It is a good value since it is a similar car to the Audi A4 yet is is priced lower.
Excelent
Kevin, 12/31/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I would never buy any other station wagon. This wagon is more fun then most cars Ive ever had.
VW
kittylala, 12/02/2003
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is car is pretty nice however, un reliable, and I found Japanese made to be a better value and beter quality.
Four Year Follow-Up
HtownHeff, 02/11/2008
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
We are 4 years and 50K miles into our Passat. Overall, it has been reliable and a supremely comfortable highway car. Have has some service niggles: front under spoiler has fallen off a few times, roof gutter came loose, and most recently, drivers side seat heater burned a hole in the seat. Besides this, the feature set of the 2004 now seems a little limited. Despite all this, though, the Passat still proves to be reasonable fun to drive transport for my family.
Do not buy Passat
Roman, 01/04/2010
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Once warranty was over my Passat started to fall apart. In it's fifth year I spent over 5,000 on service and maintenance. VW service after recent inspection informed me about 2 additional things that need to be done in the nearest future (additional $2,000). I won't buy Volkswagen again and I recommend you to stay away from Volkswagen
Texas 2004
jarvissn, 05/29/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love to drive this car. Needs to be more fuel efficient.
Watch out for transmission problems
Will, 05/05/2009
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
We purchased a this car new in 2004. We noticed transmission problems immediately driving at low speeds or coming to a stop: the downshifting was sometimes violent. The dealership was poor to respond and later acknowledged that there was a software update which they installed. The problem was solved for a couple of years. One day while taking off from our house, a special dash symbol light came on indicating that the transmission was in the safe mode, meaning it could be limped to a dealer. This was in Dec 2007. The repair bill for rebuilding the transmission module was $2300. In short, expensive upkeep cost, poor dealership response. Next car might be American made.
SAFETY ISSUE BE AWARE
simoghize, 10/18/2012
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 19 people found this review helpful
i hate a car in front of me which caused other 2 cars ahead to be involved in the accident. the damage was severe as the whole front of the car was crashed including the engine and the passenger was fatally injured, he had a shoulder dislocation. what surprised me are the airbags, they never deployed even though i was driving 60 mph. after few days volkswagen of America sent an engineer to inspect the car. After he left i noticed the seatbelts are loose and the bottom cover is opened, it seems like he did it in purpose. before he came the seat belts were fine. what most surprised me is his decision that the airbags can't deployed in this case. iIshowed him the bottom of the car where is the chassis, it was bent from the direct impact of the forces that came through the bumper which also cause the front beam to twist, but never gave me a satisfied explanation. People who try to buy this car and have kids please be aware of this safety issue, my family was blessed to get out of this accident just with a shoulder dislocation, which could be worst. My next step is lawsuit against VW.
puny issues
elwood dinwoody, 10/13/2004
2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
Passat Wagon with 4 MOTION- Quiet, powerful, and very comfy.Power seat acting up after 2 weeks, a couple of bubbles in the dash vinyl, and the 'thud' of the downshift into 1st at stops the only complaints wish I didn't have to deal with it; the dealer tells me as I sat in the car to drive it off the lot that they would need to reprogram the computer on first servicing. Now, I can sleep at night.
Despised VW Passat
despisedvw, 07/08/2011
2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 7 people found this review helpful
My car a VW Passat, its the worst experience I've ever made. Had 36K miles when I brought it after 42k the oil was mixing with G12 fluid causing it to over heat. Fix thanx to warranty $4000. Every year Im replacing CV Joints. any little thing to fix or change cost an arm and a leg...............I hate hate VW
hear me out please!
Thomas Routhier, 10/13/2016
2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (4.0L 8cyl 5A)
1 of 19 people found this review helpful
focus on your findings, accept fact us used car buyers want to know professional folks considerations on features, and overall reliability....Don't dawdle get to recommendations be fair but bad is bad, poor poor, good good, great great, and please if using adds....... slim down......My view? Your features GREAT GREAT!
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