2001 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 7%of 430 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, 7% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Turn signals and hazards worked periodically. Now they have stopped working all together. Went to vw but was told that NHTSA recall 04v584000 doesn't cover my car because of the VIN number and they couldn't tell me for sure what the problem is with out my paying the 150.00 diagnosis fee first, then I would have to pay almost 100.00 an hour for them to repair the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10222099, filed 2008-03, 76,000 miles“I am the original owner of a 2001 Volkswagen new Passat. The headlight lenses that came with the car have clouded so much that the headlights barely illuminate the road. This is a dangerous situation and they need to be replaced. I have spoken with other Passat owners from the similar years and they have experienced the same issue. I believe vw should be forced to issue a recall on the headlight lenses, and offer to replace them for free. Who knows how many accidents have occurred because the owners of these vehicles are not seeing the road well at night. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259576, filed 2009-02, 90,000 miles“I have vw Passat, 2001. It has around 30 000 miles on it. The clutch has gone down on this car and it needs to be replaced. Parts and labor for this repair are more than $2200. This car has electrical problems also. The warranty is gone after 24000k or 2 years. I have extended warranty on this car, but they don't cover anything from the long list of repair. I called to vw customer care and ask to reimburse me for clutch repair, since it must be after 10 years/100 000 miles power train warranty. They refused to participate. …”
NHTSA complaint #10003183, filed 2003-01, 30,000 miles“The headlights of my 2001.5 Passat have burned out at a rate that is much higher than normal. I have had to replace one headlight twice and the other four times since I have owned my car. Because the manufacturer recommends that only a dealer replace the headlight there are many times when I have to drive with one or the other lamp out. Fortunately they have not failed at the same time. During a visit to my local dealer when the car was under warranty they stated that there was no electrical problem at that it is normal for headlights to be replaced this frequently. …”
NHTSA complaint #10098308, filed 2004-11, 10,000 miles“Same turn signal issue as 04v584000 recall - turn signals and hazards worked periodically. Now they have stopped working all together.. Nhtsa recall 04v584000 for other vw models of this year, but not Passat. Is common for this year of vw Passat also per my internet research. Vw Passat needs to be added to this recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10440206, filed 2011-12, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238052Dec 12, 2014Corrosion on the rear lid in the cut-out sections for the license plate light / handle assembly (Figures 1 and 2).
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10120169Jun 4, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): This document informs of the Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. The…
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat
92 complaintsElectrical system
73 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsFuel system
44 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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