Anyone with a 1996 Passat...

[R/T]

My Mom has a 1996 Passat GLX VR6. And it is a total lemon. The coolant system has been rebuilt... TWICE. And the check engine light pops up every 5,000 miles. And she's only had it 3 years. With only, like 30,000 put on it or something. Is it prone to alot of problems, or did we get a lemon?

[jpvr6passat]

Originally Posted by R/T

My Mom has a 1996 Passat GLX VR6. And it is a total lemon. The coolant system has been rebuilt... TWICE. And the check engine light pops up every 5,000 miles. And she's only had it 3 years. With only, like 30,000 put on it or something. Is it prone to alot of problems, or did we get a lemon?

I have a 96 vr6 passat never once had any problems i love the car.

[justins]

I've got a '97 Passat (same same really) and it's been a "kinda lemon" .. The drivers side door broke internaly right after I got it, and had to replace the mechanicals inside, then about a week after that the check engine light came on, and shows an oxygen sensor bad, which one? No one knows, and to find out it's gonna cost me $65 for an answer. Needless to say, it's still on, and will remain so until I have to pass emissions testing.

The car is also seeming to nibble a wee too much oil as well. I hear say it's an oil sipper anyhow, but still, my '67 Comet with a built 302 sips a fraction of the oil the Passat's VR6 does.

It's only got 60K miles on it so all these things I've had to catch and fix here and there are a little lemon'ish in my book, it's supposed to be a "nice" car, but so far it's been a money pit. ($12 for a cheap oil filter? YOU NUTS?).

Cheers,
Justin

[mchoss1970]

I own a '95 passat and havent too much trouble. Justin, if your burning oil try using Valvoline max life. it worked great on my car. You should also replace both O2 sensors before they cause you more trouble, these engines get a lot of info from them. You can get them after market and install them yourself or take them to a mechanic you trust. Avoid going to the dealer though as they tend to inflate their prices. R/T your moms problem might be something to do with oil change intervals. the first vw I owned (94 Golf) would turn the check engine light on when the computer decided the oil needed to changed. Also the word "oel" would appear in the display between the gauges. Good luck.

[mdk558]

The answer would be no but the car is a pain. I have a 96 passat and for two years I had no issues with it, then I hit 92k and the check engine light has come on for everything...small smog issues had to be fixed, because of the check engine....it is almost worth getting rid of!

[justins]

It's GONE! .. WoooooHOOOOOOooo YEAH! ..

I sold the Passat for $4200 to my sister in law. Told her exactly what to expect with the cost of ownership, and she took it anyhow. She's already dumped serious money into it (both o2 sensors, new catylatic converters, right CV joint -axle-, and mirror adjustment switch). It still needs an oil change, tune up, and probably tires, but those are cake compared to everything else that's gone wrong.

Thanks for the input everyone, I moved to Japan back in May, so I'm stuck driving true throw away cars over here (Just so it's clear, Skyline's AREN'T = to 60's Detroit muscle cars).

Take care,
Justin