Used 2005 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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2005 Passat
drcar1, 04/23/2012
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
36 of 37 people found this review helpful
To be honest I haven't had any problems with my 2005 VW. It has worked great, it is fun to drive maybe too fun....I get a lot of speeding tickets in it and I've been pulled over several times going like 5-10 over so maybe it looks fast too!? As for everything else I get regular inspections on the car and it works great. Just have to take car of it. Take it to the dealership at least once a year to run diagnostics and you're good to go.
Very Fine Automobile
Dennis J, 11/29/2015
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
41 of 43 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2005 GLS TDI new after test driving a base gas model. At the time, the gas and diesel models were the same price, the diesel mileage was far superior, and the cost of diesel was quite a bit less than gasoline so this was a no-brainer. Now, diesel is often more expensive than gasoline, and sometimes even 15-20% more, so the diesel advantage is not what it once was. Still, I like being able to go almost 600 miles on a fillup, and I love the power, reliability and longevity of this engine. I have 175,000 miles on my Passat and have not had a single repair bill outside of scheduled maintenance. The most expensive maintenance is the timing belt replacement every 80-100K miles. The car has excellent pickup, not as peppy as the gasoline Passat, but much better than most cars that I've driven, including V8s. The 10,000 mile interval for the synthetic oil change offsets the higher costs associated with changing the oil. This service, like most, is best performed by the owner, the dealer, or a shop specializing in German autos. Maintenance costs are slightly more expensive and servicing establishments more limited than Japanese, American, Korean or other cars, but the Passat spends very little time in the shop. I think that this has been an extremely economical car, but it drives as well or better than cars costing quite a bit more to purchase or maintain.
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2005 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
Showing 3 of 4 listings
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,450479 mi away
- GLS TDI Diesel SedanMSRP: $5,995537 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,950675 mi away
See all 4 listings
There is a reason for the short warranty
Bill, 10/21/2009
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
I purchased 2 used VW prior. No issues with them. Finally got my brand new wagon. Love the performance and style. Hate all the issues. I am selling it and not sure what the replacement will be. I have spent more money out of pocket in 4 years on this car than my 10 year old Ford Taurus... by a lot. If VW extended its warranty greater than 36 months, the company would go under with the extra cost. I have contacted VW of America several times and my complaints fell on deaf ears. If you are reviewing for potentially buying a VW, don't buy one.
2005 TDI Passat Wagon
Steve, 06/29/2006
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
I love this car except for an experience last winter. I live in a cold enviroment. I was told the car would always start before I bought it. At minus 10, sitting outside, the car would not start. I had to have it towed to the nearest dealership. Once it warmed up it started without a problem. Everything checked out to be working correctly. I would not take the car back without an external heating device installed. The dealer put on a oil pan heater. VW Corp was contacted and asked to cover the installation. They declined to do so! I was told they would rather pay for a tow each time. What an inconvience for me. I was displeased with the customer service deptartment.
Great Car But.....
jtmma, 06/22/2013
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
28 of 31 people found this review helpful
Purchased this car in 2010 with 67,000KM from VW as a pre-owned certified vehicle with a 40,000KM or 2 year bumper to bumper warranty. It has been exceptional for me during this time. I am now at 200,000KM and have serviced it regularly as required. I still enjoy the drive as I commute up to 2-3 hours daily doing sales. However, just had a major recent issue. My transmission quit completely out of nowhere. It is a self sealed unit and very difficult to service, nor does it say it requires any routine maintenance. This is a $4500 issue to get a factory repaired/replaced transmission from VW. Luckily I had a friend who rebuilt and swapped it for considerably less.
Get one if you still can!
ttocsffej, 10/05/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Torque is the name of the game and it gets very addictive! Our 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI is our first diesel vehicle, and certainly not the last. We've owned three other Passats, including the 1.8T (manual and tip) and W8 versions, I can say the TDI / tiptronic combination is by far the best and happiest marriage of fuel economy and power in this vehicle. But the EPA rating of 27/38 is a little misleading. We've never gotten less than 30 mpg average in town, however, we've yet to get more than 37 mpg in 100% highway driving. 32-34 mpg mixed is average, partly because this baby hums along so quietly at 80 mph / 2,350 rpm! 65 mph yields best mpgs. I have had zero issues / problems at 10K miles! TDI is gone after 2005; get one now if you can find it!
2005 Passat GLX Wagon Experience
ZoomZoom718, 05/06/2006
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
After looking at a variety of upscale wagons (Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jaguar X-Type, Volvo, Audi, and VW Passat), we chose the VW. The Passat handles well, accelerates smoothly and the interior appointments are on par with the finest luxury wagons. The heated leather seats are incredibly comfortable. Its cargo space is more than adequate for shopping trips or travel. The rear passenger seating and leg room are great and you can actually fit three adults in the backseat. The GLX trim comes with a Monsoon stereo system that puts the Bose system we had in our former car to shame.
Extensive Repairs All The Time.
Jerry Balat, 04/11/2015
updated 08/13/2016
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
24 of 27 people found this review helpful
I purchased a used 2005 Volkswagen Passat in 2011, with just about 107k miles on it. Being a VW I expected repairs in the years to come, but not the frequency that I experienced. In less then 5 years of owning this car, I have spent over 7K in car repairs. Its one thing to fix normal wear and tear, such as replacing breaks, and worn out tires, but to replace the engine mounts, hinges on the trunk, the window panel,screws on the door which somehow fell off, replaced the air pump which had water in it, work done on the sunroof which seemed to have issues closing, exhaust problems in the car, the temperature gage which broke, and the hood rod. Basically one repair after another. I have never owned a car with this much constant repair issues. Probably the worst car I have owned, and best decision was to discard this car, which I should have done years ago. Imagine, taking it to the shop 7 times in the last 13 months I owned the vehicle, totaling over 4k in repairs. Again, wish I sold it years ago, I didn't. I learned my lesson, never buy a older car with extensive miles on it.
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2005 TDI Owner
rw, 10/06/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
Up to 2009 car was great. Volkswagon decided to recall att TDI models for a R8 recall for the glow plugs. Being on top of recalls brought car in for recall and had it done in the spring time period. Well summer went by and winter was setting in (getting colder) my wife started complaining that the car was hard to start sometimes. I of course egnored it till I drove it. Well the problems with the dealership and Volkswagon began. Called Volkswagon direct and knotified them of a possible problem with thier recall. Brought it in and more than 6 months later. I got my car back with original plugs and waiting for volkswagon to find a glow plug that will replace problem plugs. Good luck to tdi owne
My first diesel car
EDWARD, A, 10/11/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
The Passat TDI is a fine vehicle, with great fuel economy, I have been getting a constant 35 MPG city / highway mix. I have not taken a trip to check the highway milage yet. The fit and finnish inside and out is first class. The rear seat fold down is a bit clumsy though.
Best VW yet
MichiganVW, 03/05/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
We have owned a bug (1972), Jetta (1987) and Golf (1995), and this Passat (2005). This car was picked by my wife with automatic, but the TDI was my idea. I was slow to warm to this car. Too fancy for my taste. But as time goes on, this car is becoming my favorite sedan. Solid build, no mechanical problems at all, and an ultimate highway ride (with 38-40 mpg!). The planets lined up right for the 2005 Passat TDI. Can't wait for my next VW TDI. I'm hooked.
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion Wagon
dnichols, 12/13/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
The only negative about my 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion is that the engine is a little underpowered. However, that translates into better gas mileage than I had expected. All in all, this is a wonderful car and a great choice for the snowy roads in Vermont where I keep it.
Money Pit
jjroadtrip, 01/10/2013
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
13 of 16 people found this review helpful
Bought this car used in 2009, drive only highway miles and this car has been nothing but problems. Last year alone it cost me $6500 in repair bills. VW dealers are no help, even with used car warranty it covers nothing.
TDi 2005 Wagon
John batt, 08/12/2015
updated 08/14/2018
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
18 of 23 people found this review helpful
Regretfully sold it to a neighbor. It is still running well with no additional problems and is approaching 100K miles. Powerful and roomy. Great road car.
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Fine, Fine Automobile.
Goodman, 02/17/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I am startled by reports about the Audi A6 wagon being the superior machine to the Passat Wagon. In fact, the entire VW Passat wagon, except for the cast iron engine block and lovely design is not similar to, but actually identical in every respect to the Audi. The Audi service manager told me that. So take a tip and think of the Passat to save yourself thousands of dollars.
From Mercedes to VW
Carol, 07/31/2007
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I had a Mercedes M-Class previously and decided to purchase more earth-friendly auto this time. I have continued to be pleasantly surprised with the vehicle's comfort, reliability and gas mileage. The longer I am in possession of it, the more I appreciate it!
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS
skip, 09/07/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My 2005 Volkswagen Passat has a great ride. We have the 4Motion GLS model and we are pleased with the whole car, but wish the gas milage was better than 27 to 28 miles to gallon highway, but for an all wheel drive it's fair on gas.
TDI Passat is fantastic
Scott M, 02/02/2009
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have owned many VWs. GTIs, Rabbits, Busses and Cabrios. I bought the TDI Passat as a knee jerk reaction to the fuel crisis of 08. Let me just say this is my favorite VW of all. We dumped a Ford Expedition to get this and I only lost maybe 25% usable space. I get 28-35 MPG in the city and 38 on long highway trips. The first thing I did when I bought it was have the software reflashed with an Upsolute package for $450. I now have 50 more ft/lbs of torque and 30 more HP. Undetectable by the dealer, doesn't affect reliability, huge difference on the road. Best $450 you will ever spend. If you want a solid family sized car that is fun to drive that looks good and gets good mileage...Passat TDI!
Junk
Bud, 12/15/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Do not buy the Volkswagen Passat. I've owned mine for ten months now and it's been in and out of the dealership for a total of about two months. My problems started three months after I bought this car. I'm plagued with electrical problems and powertrain problems. The dealership and Volkswagen say there is nothing wrong with my car, yet I have to take it back at least once a month because it doesn't run. When I ask about them taking this lemon off my hands both the dealer and VW tell me to take a hike. I am fed up and wouldn't wish this auto on my worst enemy. Whatever you do, do not buy a VW. Save your money and sanity and buy something else!
Great Car
WowMpg, 02/24/2007
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I traded in a 2007 Toyota Camry CE for a 2005 Passat TDI. I was scared at first it of being a diesel. When I first saw it (I found it on the net and gave a deposit over phone and drove to VA from NJ to get it) I liked it. The car felt safe and heavy, its safety features are good, it drives great, it handles great, and has a nice interior like heated mirrors. I feel safe when I'm it. The best thing is I only used nine gallons of fuel and got 400 miles with it. My friend and I could not believe it. It gets from 44 mpg up to 50 with power and the ability to climber hills with no loss of power. I am happy that I got this car and will keep it for years to come. It can go 10,000 miles between oil changes. It is particular about the oil that it needs, but it's worth it.
Beware VW Fans!!!!
iblackwell, 04/23/2011
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
After owning VW's for years this will be my last. I actually traded the Passat today for a BMW and I couldn't be more relieved. The problems and repairs have been unending from the start. Under 3 mo. old, the sunroof leaked and all of the carpet had to be replaced, I have replaced (3) Front axles, a valve cover gasket, numerous sensors, the thermastat, (3) window regulators, motor mounts, Both headlights because they turned white after three years and wouldn't pass inspection. I even had to replace the antenna and the oil dip stick because they fell apart. Lastly the interior trim peeled off (VW sprays a coating over plastic - ???) All this at 75000 miles! The services every 5K are COSTLY!
Another one with "Oil Sludge" issues...
lonzom10, 07/09/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car for over 2 years and it is in constant need of repair. The AC has went out twice, the Coils have had to be replaced, the front axles replaced due to the boots cracking and now the infamous "Oil Sludge" problem which VW says they will not cover even though all but 3 oil changes were completed at the dealer and I have provided them copies of the other 3 receipts. After looking online at all the other 05' 1.8 turbo owners with the same problem, it would appear that the issue was not resolved from 04' to 05'. Needless to say I will never by a VW again. What can we as a group do to address this issue with VW?
Passat GLS TDI
bill, 11/11/2007
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
This vehicle is an excellent pick for fuel mileage. Over the life of the vehicle, the least mileage recorded has been 33 mpg, which was in the dead of winter driving 10 miles to work with studded winters all around. The best so far has been about 45 mpg on a trip. Typically the car gets 42 mpg going to and from work which is 10 miles. Otherwise, the car has been a dream. Excellent response with the power equivalent to a small V6 gas motor. I have had very little problems with the car, and it has only been in for oil changes. The only real problem which was taken care of immediately, was a slow retracting seat belt. My only regret with this vehicle, was that it was not the wagon.
Test Drove them ALL - VW Wins
Herr Schmidt, 10/26/2009
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is the first new car my wife and I ever bought. As it is 'her' car, I had her test drive every possible car on the market, from GM's to BMW's. Family to sports cars. She said she wanted the VW Passat TDI. I went with her and took it for a drive. Roomy and handles like a sports car. Excellent brakes, excellent everything. Now have 100k on the car and not even a hint of anything wrong. We will keep this one until we can't drive any longer.....in about 20 years!!
TDI Wagon Still Strong
ScottM, 11/19/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I wrote my last review of my wagon almost 2 years ago. My car now has 55K miles and is better than ever. Since the stock suspension is very wallowy I replaced the shocks & springs @ 50K with H&R springs and Bilstein shocks from the Tire Rack. Wow, feels like driving a brand new A6. A worn CV boot was found and replaced during suspension work. Thats it, no other problems. This car had the Upsolute ECU reflash done to it over two years ago and not a single problem. It adds an extra 30HP and 50ft-lbs torque. This thing pulls like a freight train and gets 38 MPG on long trips. Replaced stock stereo which stinks with a $250 (installed!) Sony from Best Buy. Way better even w/ stock speakers.
Luxury Ride, Econobox Mileage
Tomato Pie, 10/10/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Driving 96 miles each day, I needed to replace my wonderful 1991 Acura Legend that had accumulated 215,000 miles. I wanted to retain the great comfort, safety, and performance of the Acura while improving on the 25 mpg I was getting. Research took me to the TDI Passat, and I got one of the last leftovers for 2005 (cannot get the diesel in the 2006 Passat). I have logged 5,000 miles and I am THRILLED with this car. It is powerful, comfortable, and I am averaging 43 mpg on the highway when I can keep my speed under 65.
Get out of your SUV!
LP, 06/02/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I recently downscaled from an Infiniti QX56, a luxurious, massive, gas guzzling beauty to a wagon? That's right! Gas is now outrageously expensive and this wagon fit the bill. Almost as much cargo capacity as many SUV's! The Passat Wagon has awesome curb appeal and style, great gas mileage, and all of this for low 20K's!! The 4cyl turbo engine is surprisingly peppy, fun to drive and one of the quietest cars I've ever owned. I love the "leatherette" seats...I have two small children and these things clean up great. Both the heat and a/c are VERY strong! Great job VW! This is an Audi A4 wagon w/o the sticker shock! Awesome choice over a minivan - you know what I'm talking about guys!
Do Not Make the Same Mistake I Did!
SCOTT, 06/12/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 05 Passat TDI due to an increase in my daily commute and was sold on VW's diesel reputation for reliability and economy. After several warranty items were addressed(power window switches, bulbs, door seals, ext. brightwork, antenna, MAF and turbo sensor, battery) I wasn't too confident in the car. Despite my constant engine maintenance(oil change 8000 km with correct oil)the camshaft failed at 122km.($2400 repair) At 131km the oil pump chain tensioner failed.($1200 repair) All parts replaced with VW orig parts, not upgraded or any defects corrected. VW Cda had no interest in answering my calls, letters or questions. Now my fuel economy has dropped to mid 20's for some reason.
Passat
Napp, 09/28/2006
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
The Passat diesel has two great qualities and one big poor one. The gas mileage is fantastic, 38 mpg town and 45 mpg or better highway. The performance is fantastic, it feels like a higher end car, more than what you pay for it. The seats are comfortable. However, the interior stinks! The finish on the handles, and all over, flaked in the first month of use. The interior is not just plastic but cheap plastic and things fall apart without much use. Without power seats the hand cranck brings down the appeal of this high perfomance car. The interior easily marks up and cannot be wiped down. The service has been very good, but there's not much they can do to fix the flaking.
Wouldn't buy it again
Otho DuBois, 10/25/2017
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
For starters, I did not want to buy this car, but I was heavily pressured into by my parents for my car. I've owned it almost 2 years to the date and bought it for pretty cheap with about 105,000. I properly put oil in the car regularly and service it myself. Since I've owned it I've had to replace all the vacuum hose as it broke apart, the timing belt, 2 rotors, radiator fan, a number of hoses, gas cap, and now the motor (head gasket blew). I don't think i've driven it more than 7 consecutive months without something major going wrong. The first thing happened about 7 months after I had the car, I believe it was something along the lines of I was getting terrible mileage, the car was overheating when it wasn't moving, and I was losing a lot of oil. We fixed everything, a few months later the car stopped working while I was turning, the steering locked, and it was smoking, scarier than hell. We fixed that, which turned out to be a lot of stuff, the car had also run out of oil (I had put oil in it just a week before) and it gave me no warning whats so ever. We finally get everything done again, and a few months later i'm driving and the front bumper just decides to fall off, no warning, no sagging, I didn't hit anything, it just fell off while I was going about 60 mph. I replace the bumper and the bolts for it. About a month later everything is going ok and bam, blows a head gasket out of no where. Now i'm replacing the motor. All of this in just 20,000 miles. I'm now going to drive the car for about a month when i'm done fixing it and then i'm going to sell it. Im done with it. Also the parts are expensive.
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Great auto
James hansel, 04/27/2016
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
Great auto
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- Technology
- Performance
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- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Worst Car Ever
Rainey, 04/25/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used learned my lesson. No one writes reviews of the long term problems. A lot of electrical problems down the road. The gas mileage isn't all that wonderful either when you travel back and forth about a 100 miles a day. Mechanics don't like to work on these cars because they are so difficult to work with. And it is just a money pit. It would be a great car I'm sure brand new, don't buy it used.
Great in the snow
Nancy Gause, 03/23/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Passat wagon, the all wheel drive is fantastic! This was a tough winter on Maine and the Passat was like a tractor when the going got bad.
My VW
Betty, 04/24/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had problems with the skid plate on this car. Problems may have been related to excessive snow this winter. Board is flimsy and expensive to replace. Takes high test fuel which is very expensive. If something drops on floor and rolls under seat, very difficult to reach under the seat. Front bumper low to ground, can easily hit curb or snow bank and easily become damaged. Ride is very smooth. No major problems, just expensive to maintain. Had problem with headlights. During one year I replaced 3 headlights.
Perfect!!
Jim, 02/16/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I traded in a BMW 325xi for a Passat TDI Wagon GLS. I couldn't be happier. The fit and finish is exquisite. The TDI engine is a joy to drive. This caqr has loads of low end torque. its handling is excellent. It has a beautiful classic design, quiet interior, and no rattles.
How sweet it is
David , 04/26/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Passat for fuel economy and comfort of ride. I'm not disappointed thus far. My drive one way to work is eighty miles, seventy miles of which is open road. The last ten is in Washington, DC traffic. I have logged 1400 miles on my Passat the past week which includ a trip to VA Beach this past weekend. I average 42.9 MPG. The car is very comfortable on the open road and feel very solid. I'm very impressed by the power of this 4 cyl which is very quiet at 65 miles per hour. I must tell you that I did have one situation with the car and that is the Electronic Module Display which displays fuel usage, and outside temp went out the day I took delivery of my passat 18 APR 05.
Maybe I should have let it burn.
New Milford, 03/04/2009
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought the car as a leftover. Within 2000 miles coil pack burned out. Fire self-extinguished. 3 out of 4 Continental tires had tread separation. Transmission failed at 64,000. (VW ate approx $4,000.00 of cost, we paid about $1,000.00) The car is extremely expensive to maintain. New timing belt, waterpump, belt tensioner, thermostat. Cost: over $1100.00.
Best Car that has ever been built
.Larry Golin, 03/19/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car drives like a Mercedes. I holds the road like glue and it is very smooth. The four cylinder turbo acts like its a 6 with remarkable pick up on the highway and plenty of room for packing things. It has very comfortable heated seats with several adjustments for lumbar support. Both front windows roll up and down with a touch of a button once and all the windows go up or down using the outside key. The workmanship is solid.
Bad Decision
K Wirth, 02/25/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my VW Passat in August and it has been in the shop more than on the road. I have taken the car to all the VW dealerships in my area for repairs hoping that the service center was to blame for the poor quality. The low quality and poor reliability of the Passat have been more than disappointing. Especially when you consider the higher price of the Passat compared to the other vehicles in its class. VWoA has been difficult to work with.
I love this car
Corder, 07/30/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had a VW Jetta before I bought my Passat, I loved both but the passat has a lot more room and lots of power. It is also a very stylish car.
Completely Unreliable/Expensive Repairs
SW, 03/12/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Passat looks great, rides great, and is extremely comfortable - WHEN IT'S NOT AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED! I have owned a passat for 6 months now, and I know the Service Manager at the local Volkswagen Dealership by name. In the past six months, my 2 year old car has had three separate repairs, all of which were under waranty, but would have been very costly otherwise. Now I'm told I have to have my CV Axles replaced due to "normal wear and tear" (meaning not covered under the warranty). Total cost? OVER $1,500!! Once again, this car is two years old - which means that every two years I'll have to pay $1,500 for CV Axles, $75 each for headlights, plus all of the other repairs!
Passat Defines German Engineering
Matthew Feher, 03/29/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
No other German mid-size sedan at under $30,000 can compare to the quality, comfort, performance and style of the 2005 VW Passat. The Passat drives and looks as great as its other German rivals without unloading your wallet. I can't wait to drive the redesigned 2006 model.
Go New Clean Diesel
Steve Zinnel, 11/13/2004
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my first diesel engine automobile. Recently took a 5,000 mile trip out West. Average gas mileage for the entire trip was 40 mpg. Never once had to take it out of cruise when going up the mountains. The diesel engine is very quiet when crusing at 75 mph on the freeway and doesn't seem to change a bit when going up mountains. I have been very impressed with the comfortable ride and amazed at the gas mileage. I drive about 30,000 miles a years, with a high percentage of those miles on the freeway, and that's why I decided to try the VW Passat for comfort and safety, and the diesel engine for economy. So far it has exceeded my expectations.
Problems WIth The Passat 1.8T
p. augusta, 11/05/2004
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The vehicle has been in and out of the shop 4 times for electrical problems, and now has to have the engine replaced because of a sludge issue. The engine runs very hot so oil sludge in the engine is a common problem for the 1.8T model (Audi or VW). Steer clear of this car! !
Why doesn't everybody buy one?
Jerry Rosen, 04/11/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought the 2004 Passat 1.8 turbo wagon with manual transmission. This is the perfect car. It has pleasing European design, as oppossed to those cookie cutter Japanese and US cars. The interior is of very high quality - on par with cars that are $10,000 more and it is very fun to drive. The low end torque, that is a trademark of VWs, makes the car exciting to drive around town and downshifting really causes the car to "blast." It holds the road superbly. I recently drove from Los Angeles to Pheonix in a blinding rain storm the entire way. Nonetheless I drove my usual speed and made the trip in 6 hours. It has a huge trunk and gets 30 mpg on the freeway. This is a great car. Buy one now.
So far so good
djfllmn, 05/29/2009
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My dad purchased this car in Feb. of 2009 on the same day that I got my 2003 Ranger. I've never been much for German cars, but I'm slowly starting to like them. I read all of the reviews that mention the sludge problem. They don't change their oil frequent enough. It should be changed every 3 months or 3000 miles and you will be good to go.
Passat passes
mat72, 10/28/2004
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Solid ride coupled with unsurpassed fuel economy makes it the easiest choice I've made in a long time. Fit and finish is tight and interior is well thought out. Doesn't give you that 'cheap' feel/look of it's japanese counterparts.
Really Durable with V6 and manual.
VWall the time, 04/13/2009
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Passat; 1999 V6 5-speed Sedan was amazing for 10 years and 140k miles. Despite hard use, reliability was excellent(6,000+ revs common; 50/50 highway/backroads; fast cornering; some rough roads; stored for long periods). The timing belt was expensive, replaced radiator at the same time since front of the car has to be dismantled. Also had to replace control arms/bushings and CV joints. Valve cover gasket prone to leaking. Cracked oil pan 2x on steep driveways/bumps (likely somewhat my fault due to 1/2-inch lower European suspension springs). AC conked out in year 9. Still has original clutch. My other cars are BMW M3s which I race - but can't sell VW, I like it too much!
Everything was great, until...
Lisa, 08/26/2010
2005 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for 5 years. It was doing great until I hit the 75,000 miles. I drive about 72 miles a day, so I understand that the ware and tear is a lot more then others. I had a warranty up to 100,000 and right when it passed 100,000 the "oil pressure STOP" light went on. According to what I have read, it looks like these models have a sludge problem. It looks like they have been having this problem for most of their passat models. They do have an extended warranty for 99-04, but not 05. Also, they make it hard to cover, because they want EVERY SINGLE piece of documentation of oil change services. Now I'm stuck with this car, trying to figure out if it's worth fixing or get rid of it
Love My Passat
Sonkota, 09/06/2005
2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have owned four VW Jetta's since 1997 and in 2005 I decided I needed something with a little more room and AWD. I looked at the VW Passat and fell in love. The '05 Passat 4Motion handles and feels a lot like an Audi A4 with a much lower sticker price.