2001 Volkswagen Passat Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 5%of 430 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,849miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,849 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2001 new Passat gls v6 has been flooding every time there is rain and it soaks the driver footwell as well as the same side's rear passenger foot well. It's created a moldy unpleasant odor in the car that I'm concerned will sicken my family and me.”
NHTSA complaint #10287249, filed 2009-10, 95,000 miles“1) wyncote, pa, april 16, 2007, heavy rain 2) water enters the passenger front and rear floor board. Electronic modules located on the floor and wiring harness damaged. Vw dealer claims to not know how water entered my vechicle. They say that they have never seen the problem. Vw corporate suggests that if I had brought my car in to the dealer for oil changes the dealer would have cleared debris from drain holes as part of regular service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10189098, filed 2007-04, 68,800 miles“I was stopped at a stop light that was out of order. The driver of the SUV in front of me took her foot off the brake and I assumed she was going to subsequently depress the accelerator, so I instinctively put my foot on the accelerator to ease forward. Unfortunately, I miscalculated as the driver in front of me did not move forward. As a result of my actions, I rear-ended the driver in front of me. I was going between 5-10 MPH. My car sustained about 90% of the damage. My complaint is regarding the deployment or lack thereof of the airbags. They never deployed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509501, filed 2013-04, 134,400 miles“For the 2nd time in 14 months the system that drains rain water out of my car has become clogged. The result is that water collects under the floor board on the front passenger side of the vehicle, where computers are located inside an unsealed plastic box. The first time this happened, in dec 2004, I was told the failure was due to an unusually strong rain storm and the resulting water damage effected the break system. At that time the car was still under warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10152031, filed 2006-03, 51,254 miles“Hi, I have a vw Passat 2001.5 sedan. I recently have notcied that water enters into the rear passenger floor when it rains. I hear that the problem is noticed by a number of fellow Passat owners on various forums. I have learnt that water can damage previous electronics and can be very expensive to fix. I feel that there is a design problem here with the vw Passat that allows water into the car when it should be kept out. I strongly hope vw would recall the vehicle to fix this problem. -- aravind.”
NHTSA complaint #10160034, filed 2006-06, 67,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10236426Sep 23, 2016Contacting the parts helpline
- 10107841Jul 13, 2016To update model table to clarify jetta wagon applicability to tb content.
- 10128386Jun 9, 2016Corrosion may be found on the folded edge of the hood. Supersedes TB V551603
- 10095561Jun 7, 2016To update claim processing statement.
- 10121169Mar 28, 2016Technical Bulletin about Paint Finish, Reducing Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches New vehicles (prior to Retail Delivery) with swirl marks and or fine scratches from polishing or…
- 10236450Feb 17, 2016Corrosion on hood edge.
- 10236448Feb 1, 2016Rear quarter panel corrosion.
- 10121111Feb 1, 2016The document refers to Corrosion being found where the rear bumper cover meets the quarter panel. It discusses how it can happen, and where to find warranty coverage to service…
- 10121263Mar 2, 2015Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative issue diagnosis): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor…
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 12 | 2% |
| 2013 | 31 | 4% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 10 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 29 | 5% |
| 2002 | 30 | 5% |
| 2001 | 23 | 5% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 11 | 2% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 6 | 6% |
| 1994 | 1 | 4% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsSuspension
25 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 29, 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