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EnginePart report

2001 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
1%of 430 total for the year
Median mileage
130,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, 1% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Faulty cam chain tensioner failed and caused severe engine damage to valves, pistons, camshaft, cam timing chain. I was stationary waiting at a red light when I heard a sudden loud grinding noise from inside the engine compartment, the engine began to shake and sputter. The car lost most of its power and I was barely able to make it through the intersection when the light turned green. Upon inspection it was clear to see that the cam chain tensioner had self destructed and caused the engine to fail.”

NHTSA complaint #11046400, filed 2017-11, 160,000 miles

“Took car to vw dealer to have timing belt replaced and was notified that there were several open recalls and they offered to take care of them free of charge. However, they were unable to perform recall #08v156. Manufacturer #26e5. They installed the heat shield but could not perform software upgrade. I never received any recall notices in the mail. Now vw wants to buy the car back because they can't fix it. It's a 2001 vw Passat with 25k miles in showroom shape. Was never driven in snow and garaged it's entire life. They offered me $1500 out of which I owe $1300 for the timing belt. …”

NHTSA complaint #11389398, filed 2021-01, 25 miles

“I was driving and I pulled into my parking lot and my engine caught on fire. I put it out with snow thank god or it would have been a lot worse. I always have coolant and oil and I checked it a lot cause of the freezing weather we have had recently had -30 for quite awhile. I called vw customer care and they were very worried about my safety at 1st then they had a product something guy call me after see the picture I sent them. I understand they have people always looking for a quick escape goat but this was a fire it could have been so much worse if there was not snow near by. …”

NHTSA complaint #10564966, filed 2014-02, 101,000 miles

“Car had been sitting all day drove it once caught fire around 4am in the morning car total alot burn bad in the front. I had notice that some features were not working but I did not attribute it to a electrical problem according to the fire dept who came to put the blaze out.”

NHTSA complaint #10485005, filed 2012-11

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022323%
202116%
2020422%
2019217%
20181124%
201776%
20161716%
20155322%
20147713%
201310514%
2012408%
2011638%
20104125%
20096041%
20084326%
20072811%
20066411%
2005128%
2004186%
2003234%
2002132%
200151%
200082%
199920%
199810%

Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat

Engine cooling
92 complaints
Electrical system
73 complaints
Brakes
63 complaints
Fuel system
44 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
34 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaints
Exterior lighting
30 complaints
Air bags
26 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Body and structure
23 complaints
Vehicle speed control
19 complaints
Steering
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology