VW Passat 05/06 new model - any problems?

spiceboy · 23-11-2008 4:10pm #1

Hi,

I am planning to buy a VW Passat 1.9 TDI with New Shape 2005 or 2006.
I have heard that there were callbacks for these models. And been told about some clutch problem.

Anybody please advise more about this.

thanks,

PattheMetaller · 23-11-2008 4:20pm

I have an early '06 Comfortline 1.9 Tdi Passta of the new model. The only call back In had was for the cover of the wiper motor.

The fuel pump and turbo went and the dealership stated they were recogised faults in late '05 - early '06 models. I did here others complain about either the clutch or the gear box but can't remember which it was.

Runnig well since and good, spacious and comfortable car.

mickdw · 23-11-2008 4:25pm

Fuel cooler on fuel return line was inclined to fall off causing fuel leakage so there was a recall for this and also a possible wiper motor problem, recalled also.

The dual mass fly wheel clutch is troublesome enough.
Fuel pump failure is common also
Ive also seen a few of the early one with front tyre wear issues from new.

samhail · 23-11-2008 4:30pm

what kinda price you looking at can i ask ?

badboyblast · 23-11-2008 4:50pm

I`d go with the 2 litre for the extra power, bought a 2 litre TDI sport in the UK last week, 37K on it, leather interior, 9100 STG, 4500 Euro to clear.
In great nick, very powerfull.

There seems to be a screw rolling around inside the dash somewhere.....wrecking my head!

VolvoMan · 23-11-2008 5:03pm

Yes - early models were plagued with problems with one major one being the electronic parking brake.

If that doesn't bother you they are a nice, well finished car I suppose. That 1.9 TDI 'pump duse' engine is way behind the times though as regard to refinement and technology. It dates back a good 16 years at least and I simply cannot recommend it.

badboyblast · 23-11-2008 5:04pm

VolvoMan wrote: »

Yes. Early models were plagued with problems with one major one being the electronic parking brake.

If that doesn't bother you though they are a nice, well finished car I suppose. That 1.9 TDI 'pump duse' engine is way behind the times as regard to refinement and technology. It dates back a good 16 years at least and I simply cannot recommend it.

Whats the craic with the electronic parking brake?
Was it failing? Would leaving the car in gear solve this?

VolvoMan · 23-11-2008 5:10pm

badboyblast wrote: »

Whats the craic with the electronic parking brake?
Was it failing? Would leaving the car in gear solve this?

Rather than a conventional handbrake it is a lever mounted under the dashboard above the driver's right knee. Apparently it can fail to disengage and is quite a common problem on the early models.

mickdw · 23-11-2008 5:50pm

VolvoMan wrote: »

Rather than a conventional handbrake it is a lever mounted under the dashboard above the driver's right knee. Apparently it can fail to disengage and is quite a common problem on the early models.

Have you ever sat in one of these cars. Your description of the handbrake makes it sound like something that would be fitted to a mercedes. Its certainly not a lever and i wouldnt say under the dash either. It an electronic control. No leverage involved. I dont think they are as troublesome as alot of people are saying.

maidhc · 23-11-2008 6:08pm

mickdw wrote: »

Have you ever sat in one of these cars. Your description of the handbrake makes it sound like something that would be fitted to a mercedes. Its certainly not a lever and i wouldnt say under the dash either. It an electronic control. No leverage involved. I dont think they are as troublesome as alot of people are saying.

Indeed. It sounds like it is worked by a stepper motor or something.

groupb · 23-11-2008 6:19pm

Or in the case of the 07' passat I had it did'nt work.
OP , why do you want a passat when there are so many far superior cars around for the same kind of money. The old shape mondeo,mazda 6 and honda accord spring to mind as three candidates.

PattheMetaller · 23-11-2008 6:58pm

mickdw wrote: »

Have you ever sat in one of these cars. Your description of the handbrake makes it sound like something that would be fitted to a mercedes. Its certainly not a lever and i wouldnt say under the dash either. It an electronic control. No leverage involved. I dont think they are as troublesome as alot of people are saying.

The handbrake is push button beside the lights switch. I've never had any prblems with mine; is it just a case of people not being used to it?

VolvoMan · 23-11-2008 7:05pm

mickdw wrote: »

Have you ever sat in one of these cars. Your description of the handbrake makes it sound like something that would be fitted to a mercedes.

That's what it's like. An American style handbrake.

_Kaiser_ · 23-11-2008 7:15pm

Never had any issues with the parking brake in my 06 Comfortline either. Once you get used to it it's perfectly fine.. just remember that it won't disengage automatically with your seatbelt off and that's about it.

I have the Automatic 2L DSG version and it's a great gearbox - definitely would go for it over the 1.9 if you can OP as there's a world of difference between the two.

The only issue I'd have is that it will tend to roll back a little on a hill start even with the accelerator depressed (which my 02 Auto Passat didn't do!) and this can be a problem if you have some idiot right up your ass :mad: , but mine comes with "Auto Hold" which if not solves, then at least works around, this problem. The problem with Auto Hold though is the car will jerk a bit at low crawling speeds so you can find yourself turning it on and off a lot if you're crawling up a hill in traffic. The button is also rather awkwardly positioned to the left of the gear selector but I think it was moved to the other side in newer models. Both of these issues though aren't major.

Space wise it's probably one of the biggest in it's class.. massive boot, lots of room in the back (certainly when compared to the 06 A4 I was also considering at the time). The only issue I'd have is the rear visibility isn't great, so if you got one with parking sensors then better again, but failing that it's just a matter of getting familiar with the length/width of the car.

Cruise control is a godsend and you'll wonder how you managed without it if you do a lot of motorway driving. Steering wheel controls would be nice, but it didn't come with them - some UK versions do have them though.

I do a lot of driving (around 25k miles annually) and mostly on N/M roads, so for me comfort, space and power were important - all of which this car delivers.

maidhc · 23-11-2008 7:53pm

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

The only issue I'd have is that it will tend to roll back a little on a hill start even with the accelerator depressed (which my 02 Auto Passat didn't do!) and this can be a problem if you have some idiot right up your ass :mad: , but mine comes with "Auto Hold" which if not solves, then at least works around, this problem. The problem with Auto Hold though is the car will jerk a bit at low crawling speeds so you can find yourself turning it on and off a lot if you're crawling up a hill in traffic. The button is also rather awkwardly positioned to the left of the gear selector but I think it was moved to the other side in newer models. Both of these issues though aren't major.

This is exactly the problem with the electric handbrake. They ditched a perfectly good simple system in favour of something more complicated and less effectual.

I don't think it is a deal breaker though.

cashmni1 · 23-11-2008 8:09pm

PattheMetaller wrote: »

I have an early '06 Comfortline 1.9 Tdi Passta of the new model. The only call back In had was for the cover of the wiper motor.

The fuel pump and turbo went and the dealership stated they were recogised faults in late '05 - early '06 models. I did here others complain about either the clutch or the gear box but can't remember which it was.

Runnig well since and good, spacious and comfortable car.

So to re-cap.....
turbo, fuel pump and wiper motor.......
Sums them up really.

_Kaiser_ · 23-11-2008 8:09pm

maidhc wrote: »

This is exactly the problem with the electric handbrake. They ditched a perfectly good simple system in favour of something more complicated and less effectual.

I don't think it is a deal breaker though.

Interesting insurance question that just occured to me though...

Say you're on that aforementioned hill and inadvertently roll back into the guy behind you as a result of this "feature" - would you be liable or could you claim a design flaw or something?

mickdw · 23-11-2008 8:22pm

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Interesting insurance question that just occured to me though...

Say you're on that aforementioned hill and inadvertently roll back into the guy behind you as a result of this "feature" - would you be liable or could you claim a design flaw or something?

There is something wrong with your brake system if it is letting the car back on take off.
We have had 3 of them now in the extended family and not a hint of that. If you have your belt on thereby allowing the auto release, it should not go backwards at all. If fact I read that the system is so intelligent that it senses the cooling of the brake discs and can automatically tighten the brake some more to take up the slack due to the shrinkage of the cooling discs when parked.
The only way it is possible to go backwards (with a properly functioning system) is if you stall or dip the clutch again after it has released and in these cases, you simply do what you would do in any other car... Apply the footbrake and start again.
My car also has an equivalent system (Audi) and if it were to be letting the car roll backwards on hill starts, I would be back to dealer fairly fast.

tudenham10 · 23-11-2008 8:32pm

Hi,

I've a 06 comfortline 1.9. Lovely car, if a little underpowered (105 bhp). Pretty easy on diesel, av 47 mpg. Faults so far have been the aforementioned fuel pump, the switch on the parking brake was very intermittent and finally the gearbox turned a little grabby around 27k miles, apparently the gear oil wasn't the correct grade!??
All were covered under the VW warranty.
The only thing I'd fault is the lack of mp3 or ipod connectivity with the standard head unit.

_Kaiser_ · 23-11-2008 8:41pm

mickdw wrote: »

There is something wrong with your brake system if it is letting the car back on take off.
We have had 3 of them now in the extended family and not a hint of that. If you have your belt on thereby allowing the auto release, it should not go backwards at all. If fact I read that the system is so intelligent that it senses the cooling of the brake discs and can automatically tighten the brake some more to take up the slack due to the shrinkage of the cooling discs when parked.
The only way it is possible to go backwards (with a properly functioning system) is if you stall or dip the clutch again after it has released and in these cases, you simply do what you would do in any other car... Apply the footbrake and start again.
My car also has an equivalent system (Audi) and if it were to be letting the car roll backwards on hill starts, I would be back to dealer fairly fast.

Didn't realise that. I was on a UK VW forum reading up on the potential problems and issues people have had, and the "auto hold" being jerky and rolling back a bit and figured (as maidhc said) that it was a known issue that VW aren't acknowledging as such. As I mentioned earlier, it's an automatic-DSG box so there isn't much driver interaction involved save for step on the accelerator, the brake disengages, and the car moves off.. or back a bit if on an incline.

My older (also auto) 02 Passat with a regular handbrake didn't do it and if anything, had more of a pull in creep/drive mode than the new one.

I'll be calling the dealer in the morning though!

spiceboy · 23-11-2008 8:41pm

Thanks all for your comments.
I think I would better go for a newer model as there were couple of problems with new features introduced this car.
I found I could get an 05 new model 105 bhp car with low mileage for around 14k or less. If going for a newer model, then I must go with the 08 one as it is having less motor tax.
I am also interested in an 05 avensis 1.6
How do you compare this with an 05 1.9 passat (105) ?

Scottie99 · 23-11-2008 8:53pm

This should give you some more info and other reviews

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/used-car-summary.aspx?rt=2513

V22 · 23-11-2008 9:43pm

VolvoMan wrote: »

Yes - early models were plagued with problems with one major one being the electronic parking brake.

If that doesn't bother you they are a nice, well finished car I suppose. That 1.9 TDI 'pump duse' engine is way behind the times though as regard to refinement and technology. It dates back a good 16 years at least and I simply cannot recommend it.

You obviously havent a clue what your talking about. The Pumpe deuse engine is one of the best, torquiest, economical units I have ever seen and ive been working on them for years.....

mickdw · 23-11-2008 10:17pm

V22 wrote: »

You obviously havent a clue what your talking about. The Pumpe deuse engine is one of the best, torquiest, economical units I have ever seen and ive been working on them for years.....

When compared to earlier diesel engines yes but when looking at it in comparison to more up to date stuff, it doesnt stack up well in relation to noise and general refinement. In 105bhp format, its a poor engine in the new passat and interestingly, appeared to suit the old model passat much better. I assume it must have been a lighter car. Also in Octavia(I assume its the same engine) much quicker than in the new passat.
Compare this engine to what Honda, BMW etc are producing and its old hat

mickdw · 23-11-2008 10:22pm

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Didn't realise that. I was on a UK VW forum reading up on the potential problems and issues people have had, and the "auto hold" being jerky and rolling back a bit and figured (as maidhc said) that it was a known issue that VW aren't acknowledging as such. As I mentioned earlier, it's an automatic-DSG box so there isn't much driver interaction involved save for step on the accelerator, the brake disengages, and the car moves off.. or back a bit if on an incline.

My older (also auto) 02 Passat with a regular handbrake didn't do it and if anything, had more of a pull in creep/drive mode than the new one.

I'll be calling the dealer in the morning though!

Ive only experience of cars without the auto hill hold function. Does your car go back if you dont use the hill hold function and manually activate the handbrake? The handbrake should still self release.
Either way, its madness if you cannot stop your car going backwards on takeoff. THat wouldnt be much of a technical advance.

_Kaiser_ · 23-11-2008 10:37pm

mickdw wrote: »

Ive only experience of cars without the auto hill hold function. Does your car go back if you dont use the hill hold function and manually activate the handbrake? The handbrake should still self release.
Either way, its madness if you cannot stop your car going backwards on takeoff. THat wouldnt be much of a technical advance.

Yes the only way to work around the problem is to activate Auto Hold when stopped. Then when you move off the car will not roll back.. otherwise it will.

bazz26 · 23-11-2008 11:20pm

OP my uncle is on his second Passat.

He had a 07 1.6 FSi that broke his heart:
faulty electronic brake,
phantom warning lights on the dash resulting in the ECU having a software upgrade,
wiper motor failure,

He bought another one though, a 08 1.4 TSi and so far it hasn't had any issues.

Boggins127 · 23-11-2008 11:29pm

had the 06 1.6 model parking brake was poor at hill starts it was slow to disengage and the radio was replaced a number of times due to cd's clogging the intake. But happily i have the 08 1.4tsI model unreal car steering gearbox and park brake fixed up lovely gr8 car highly recommend it.
thanks,
Dave:cool:

maidhc · 24-11-2008 12:17am

mickdw wrote: »

Ive only experience of cars without the auto hill hold function. Does your car go back if you dont use the hill hold function and manually activate the handbrake? The handbrake should still self release.
Either way, its madness if you cannot stop your car going backwards on takeoff. THat wouldnt be much of a technical advance.

Humm.. on the 06 one I drive, once you touch the accelerator the brake releases... most of the time. Sometimes it doesn't.

junkyard · 24-11-2008 12:22am

The last time I checked they were number 1 on the AA breakdown list, I wouldn't buy a modern VW tbh they're nothing but trouble.

_Kaiser_ · 24-11-2008 12:25am

maidhc wrote: »

Humm.. on the 06 one I drive, once you touch the accelerator the brake releases... most of the time. Sometimes it doesn't.

Does yours roll back on an incline?

Moanin · 24-11-2008 11:06am

badboyblast wrote: »

There seems to be a screw rolling around inside the dash somewhere.....wrecking my head!

I had the same problem.It's a coin that has fallen out of one of the drawers and is rolling behind. You need to take the drawer out and get the coin.Easy enough job but a bitch to get the spring back on. Have a look out www.passatworld forum

Robertr · 24-11-2008 11:34am

I have a 06 Highline 2.0 FSI model. Never gave me a days trouble...

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/Highline/200845190737984/advert

badboyblast · 24-11-2008 11:10pm

Moanin wrote: »

I had the same problem.It's a coin that has fallen out of one of the drawers and is rolling behind. You need to take the drawer out and get the coin.Easy enough job but a bitch to get the spring back on. Have a look out www.passatworld forum

Sound, I only have it a week and did`nt put anything into the trays, might look at pulling them out.

Pain in the arse all right, rear window is foggin up an awfull lot too, specially when its cold and raining, left the vents open and wiped the rear window but still fogs up.

JJMcG · 22-01-2011 7:41pm

I've a 06 Passat 1.9. I bcannot seem to turn off the ESP traction control button. The button appears dead!!!!! Although the Traction control performs fine in snow/Frost. Also there is an airbag fault prompt!! Has anyone experienced these probs??? Thanks Jj

johnos1984 · 22-01-2011 7:47pm

JJMcG wrote: »

I've a 06 Passat 1.9. I bcannot seem to turn off the ESP traction control button. The button appears dead!

Press and hold the button for 3 seconds

rupamede · 23-01-2011 5:45am

Could someone please tell me if it is possible for a faulty oil pump to trigger the immobilizer on a TDI 1.9 2006 Passat (manufactered in 2005). Details below:

Car stopped twice due to Immobilizer active. This always happened after I parked the car to go to the shop or so and always after the system had previously prompted me to refuel the tank although at the same time it indicated I had at least 90KM left.

1st time, I got out of the car, waited 5 min and then it started again.
2nd time, had to be sent to VW where they 1st said it was the battery which they replaced and car was going fine again, but then after a few hours when they were checking it just before collection, they said it was not starting anymore and now it was something else like the Flywheel and Clutch for which they wanted to replace one unit for 450 euros, then if that did not work, they would replace another unit for further 400 euros. They were not able to pinpoint the problem and in the end said they weren't even sure it really was a Flywheel and Clutch problem. They said it would cost me at least 2,500 euros to fix it in a way they could guarantee it would not give me more problems.

Since I cannot afford that and at that time the car was going fine again, after they put my old battery back into it, we decided to bring the car back and it's been like waking on thin ice everyday I start it, but it's been fine until today when it just stopped. Out of curiosity, I opened the bonnet and saw that the oil filter was flooded on the outside, so we opened it and realized there was hardly any oil inside the oil filter thingy. This made me recall a time last year when my partner completely forgot to fill the tank and the thing just was air locked so we put diesel into it and the car started again. We believe it is the oil pump that's faulty and that was what was triggering the immobilizer... but are we correct in our assumption?

I do remember that before saying 'Immobilizer Active' on the 2 occasions described above, the dash also did indicate 'engine fault' - I can't remember the exact wording but for me it suggested that the diesel wasn't getting into the engine or something...

It seems to be obvious that when the diesel is low the pump is not strong enough to pump it to the filter... as there was hardly any diesel in the filter after we topped up the tank with diesel today... so I am going to have the oil pump replaced for around 250 euros, but is it possible that this faulty oil pump actually caused/triggered the Immobilizer? is this is a normal thing a car would like a safety precaution against people who tamper with the oil tank, for example? Or am I just having a wishful thinking moment?

Please advise as best you may from your own experience or expertise.

Thanks,

R.

colm_mcm · 23-01-2011 11:53am

Do you mean the fuel pump?

Can't imagine how the clutch or flywheel could've been the cause..

rupamede · 23-01-2011 12:06pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Do you mean the fuel pump?

Can't imagine how the clutch or flywheel could've been the cause..

Yes, I mean the Fuel Pump. Can a fault with the FP trigger the immobilizer? The Immob is an anti-theft device, isn't it? So, could it be possible that a fault with the pump would send a signal to the car's computer to shut down and turn on the the Immob?

Thanks

statto25 · 23-01-2011 12:18pm

rupamede wrote: »

Yes, I mean the Fuel Pump. Can a fault with the FP trigger the immobilizer? The Immob is an anti-theft device, isn't it? So, could it be possible that a fault with the pump would send a signal to the car's computer to shut down and turn on the the Immob?

Thanks

A mate of mine has the exact same problem. 05 Passat which just stopped up in the road over the christmas. It does this on an off and its like a lottery whether it will start or not. He brought it to the local VW dealer and they scanned it. Nothing showed. They did a few service bits and let him on his way.

coolbeans · 23-01-2011 12:34pm

To the OP, you say you're interested in the 2.0 TDI unit. I know that these engines have had some serious issues re the injector and the turbo so make sure you do your homework if you're looking at one of an 05-06 vintage. I think the newer ones have a different 2.0L unit and I can't comment on that. I do know anecdotally though that there are serious and quite common problems with that engine so if you want reliability go for the 1.9 engine even if it is a bit antediluvian.
I know it's a bit pub bore of me to say this but I heard a girl at work complaining of having to spend huge wedge on injectors for her '06 Passat. Guess what engine it had... Curiosity got the better of me and after I asked what the mileage was. I was shocked to discover that it had only covered 70,000 miles.

colm_mcm · 23-01-2011 12:38pm

The original post is 25 months old

ActingDanClark · 23-01-2011 12:39pm

i had an 06 tdi highline and loved it. there was a problem requiring dealer download of a repair from vw germany-windows opening while the car was locked and immobile, same with the boot and doors unlocking. this wasnt just mine-a work colleague experienced the same!

xibateew · 24-01-2011 4:58pm

06 140bhp 2.0 litre engine are nothing but trouble - will never buy a VW again, in the last 3 months I have spent 2,600e on replacing the steering rack and number 1 injecter. They are 4 injectors and they will all go. 1 injecter to replace costed me 1,080e that included getting my car towed which was 100e. Also the handbrake gives problems, the flywheel which I hear costs over 1000e to replace gives serious problems. Im getting rid of this car quick

pearsie03 · 26-08-2011 8:38am

badboyblast wrote: »

I`d go with the 2 litre for the extra power, bought a 2 litre TDI sport in the UK last week, 37K on it, leather interior, 9100 STG, 4500 Euro to clear.
In great nick, very powerfull.

There seems to be a screw rolling around inside the dash somewhere.....wrecking my head!

Same issue with mine 2005 1.9TDI bought from UK, I think its probably from somebody putting money into the drawers and it has fallen back into the dash, very annoying sometimes but other times u cant hear it, a good bang on the dash usually shuts it up for a while.

VW Passat 05/06 new model - any problems?

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