NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat; the most frequently affected component is engine and engine cooling — engine. Owners filed 447 complaints, most often about service brakes. Among the 22 model years of this model in the database, 2001 ranks #11 for number of recalls.
Engine and engine cooling — EngineCampaign 14E007000 · 07 Mar 2014
Problem: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, gasoline — Filler pipe and capCampaign 02V026000 · 25 Jan 2002
Problem: On 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 disintegrates.
Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, gasoline — Tank assemblyCampaign 01V157000 · 03 May 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty.
Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the existing fuel level sending units and replace them with fuel level sending units using a new alloy composed of gold, silver, and a small amount of nickel, which will not chemically react with sulfur. Vw/audi will also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous recall last june in order to install the updated fuel sending units nhtsa 00v137/audi lb). Owner notification began may 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact audi at 1-866-892-2834.
What owners complain about
Share of the 38 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Service brakes9 · 24%
Fuel/propulsion system6 · 16%
Electrical system6 · 16%
Engine5 · 13%
Exterior lighting4 · 11%
Air bags4 · 11%
Fuel system4 · 11%
Gasoline4 · 11%
When complaints were filed
201111
20125
20136
20144
20152
20162
20174
20181
20212
20261
From owner complaints
The passat has been a well maintained family wagon. The car has always been garaged and has mostly easy highway miles. My wife was driving with my daughter on a rainy evening. After making a right hand turn, the steering wheel would not turn back to the left past centered. She stopped the disabled car on the right…
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was sitting at a traffic stop when he noticed smoke and fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed and available. Neither the dealer nor the…
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…
Started smelling gas and mileage started droppi g bad around the end of november. We see that there has been recalls on the gas tank and fuel lines for 01 volkswagen passats but unfortunately not for this vin # which happens to be my sons car. Now its at the shop because its gas mileage went way down and and smells…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.