1995-1997 Volkswagen Passat: Reliability

Updated: 11/23/08

1995 Volkswagen Passat 4-door sedan
1997 Volkswagen Passat
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1995-1997 Volkswagen Passat 

  • Price Range:  $1,000 - $2,100
CG Rating

47

out of 100

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Our reliability study for this generation Volkswagen Passat/ CC includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Volkswagen Passat/ CC .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: Models equipped with a variable-displacement A/C compressor may not cool properly due to restrictions in the system. (1995-96)

Automatic transmission: Automatic transmission may shift erratically due to an incorrect throttle angle setting. (1995-96)

Coolant leak: Coolant loss on 2.8-liter engines could result from damaged oil cooler hoses. Hoses might be damaged during oil changes. (1995-97)

Coolant leak: A low-coolant-level malfunction can be the result of the wrong concentration of antifreeze or a bad coolant sensor. (1995-96)

Hard starting: Intermittent no-start or stalling condition is often due to the #3 relay. No trouble codes are stored in computer. (1995-97)

Manual transmission: The manual-transmission shift lever may knock or vibrate in forward gears requiring realignment of the selector shaft housing. (1995-96)

Wipers: The windshield wipers may chatter because of misalignment of the wiper arms. (1996)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $620
Alternator $640
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $795
Brakes $390
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $585
Constant Velocity Joints $1,320
Exhaust System $440
Radiator $485
Shocks and/or Struts $680
Timing Chain or Belt $360
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