2001 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 10%of 430 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,800miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, 10% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,800 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2001 Volkswagen Passat has had an r5 recall for fuel lines, fuel tank, and a heat shield. The hard (low pressure fuel return?) line, the middle one of the mounting bracket atop the firewall, has failed catastrophically. It now sprays gasoline directly down onto the catalytic converter heat shield. This is the same failure in the same exact point that many other owners have had. This part is dangerous and could have killed me and destroyed my car. Volkswagen refused to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11012185, filed 2017-08, 240,000 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 notice that fuel is leaking from my vw Passat 2001's fuel tank. I fill out this complaint in order to seek a help from authorities on these matters and also knowing if my issues can be handled by Volkswagen america.”
NHTSA complaint #10560737, filed 2014-01, 175,000 miles“Strong smell of gas emanating from engine compartment and into cabin through heating system, drove to vw dealer, who told me I was lucky the car did not explode, the fuel line was leaking directly onto the catalytic converter, which heats to 1000 degrees. The dealership replaced the fuel line, although they charged a lot to do so.”
NHTSA complaint #10108258, filed 2005-01, 43,000 miles“The gas gauge is fluctuating the reading. Usually it states there is more gas in the tank then there really is. I have read that several others have this problem and are not included in the vw recall for this problem. I also am not in the recall because I have the 2 wheel drive model. I think vw needs to know this problem is occurring in more vehicles then just the 4 motion model.”
NHTSA complaint #10050842, filed 2003-12, 16,000 milesRelated recalls
- 08V156000Apr 7, 2008Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1999–2005
- 02V026000Jan 25, 2002On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1998–2003, Jetta 1997–1999, Cabrio 1998
- 01V157000May 3, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2000–2001, Audi A6 1998–2001
Related service bulletins
- 10121123Feb 5, 2016Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle.
- 10121246Jan 20, 2015Discusses the issues associated with using contaiminated gasoline. There are recommendations to use top tier gasoline retailers
- 10121536Oct 10, 2014Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a…
- 10238568Sep 12, 2014For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from the vehicle and replace with known good diesel…
- 10238954Aug 29, 2014Use the diagram below to test the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code such as P0299 or P0234. This applies to Mechanical Injection Style Diesel Engines…
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10238960Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10238959Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10242399Mar 4, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 6 | 13% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 88 | 12% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 19% |
| 2010 | 33 | 20% |
| 2009 | 53 | 36% |
| 2008 | 63 | 38% |
| 2007 | 42 | 16% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 23 | 16% |
| 2004 | 57 | 20% |
| 2003 | 169 | 27% |
| 2002 | 73 | 11% |
| 2001 | 44 | 10% |
| 2000 | 46 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 21% |
| 1991 | 5 | 21% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat
92 complaintsElectrical system
73 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
31 complaintsExterior lighting
30 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 Oct 31, 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