11 problems related to wiring have been reported for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat based on all problems reported for the 2001 Passat.
Headlamp wiring harness melts.
Faulty wiring for tail lights, brake light, turn lights. Replaced fuse, replaced brake and tail light bulbs eight times, this correct the problem for one day. Bought new kit to replace old brake ,tail light , turning light. This worked for approx. Two months now nothing works.
I have had my 2001 vw Passat for 7 years now and have had it in the shop multiple issues including warped rotors (front and back), cracked chasse, electrical issues and various other problems. Before having this car, I had a Toyota for 8 years and in the 8 years I had the Toyota, I only had it in the shop for routine maintenance. This car is disappointing and everyone I talk to who has a similar model/year says the same thing. I think the 2001 vw Passat is a lemon.
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the instrument cluster panel lights illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined there was a short in the airbag wiring harness, and needed to be replaced. The airbag and harness were replaced, but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was alerted.
Consumer has had three instrument clusters replaced in his 2001 Volkswagen Passat. According to the dealer and manufacturer this problem is rare and is likely a wiring problem. The manufacturer hasn't taken any steps to permanently fix the problem, instead they just keep replacing the instrument cluster.
Vehicle died while driving on 45 mph road. Starter and engine turn, but would not run. Advised dealer that this happened 1 year ago and engine fuse and horn fuse had to be replaced. No codes were in the computer. Dealer replaced fuse s232 and car started. During road test, car died again. Fuse s232 blew again and dealer found ecm and harness melted and was smoking. Dealer replaced ecm, harness and fuse and car ran. When customer received the car, the cruise control and dash lights were inoperative. Dealer reprogrammed cruise and fixed wiring of dash lights under warranty after much argument. Dealer did not know cause of mishap. This is the 2nd time the car has died while travelling on busy roads. I was nearly rear-ended twice as I pulled the car off the highway.
Headlight build connector shorted against adjacent metal due to exposed wire. Charring and melted harness connector resulted. Potential exists for this to cause a vehicle fire with possible loss of life. Headlight is inoperable until wiring harness connector can be replaced.
While driving at 65 mph vehicle shook and lost power. Then stalled in the middle of the highway with little room to reach the shoulder. Twice vehicle staaled on the highway. On two other occasions consumer could not start the vehicle. Dealer examined the vehicle, and replaced the engine coil and the battery.
Car died while driving on 55 mph road. Starter worked and engine would turn, but would not run. Dealer found no codes in computer. Engine and horn fuses blown and dealer replaced horn relay. I asked the dealer why there were no codes in the computer and they didn't know the answer. They would not replace the computer. Car was in the shop for 7 days. Incident happened over 100 miles from home and dealer finally authorized loaner after 2 days. Dealer was very rude during the whole incident and construction made it difficult to communicate. Phone lines were disconnected part of the time.
While driving the vehicle one night both front headlights burned out without warning. Both of the head light wiring harness' failed and caused multiple head light failures. The consumer had to pay for 3 of the 4 failures out of pocket.
This vehicle has broken down 4 times within 11 months with the same problem. The car lost all power and the epc light came on. Each time it needed to be towed to the dealer. The dealer keeps claiming they fixed it, but after 4 times I no longer feel safe in this car. I am pursuing the lemon law currently. I commute a very windy highway for work and should the car break down with the problem again I could be killed. 4 times is too many for the dealer to say it's fixed. I have no confidence that this car is really fixed. They have fixed the electronic control unit 2x, the pedal 3x, and then the entire wiring harnes once. Since they keep replacing the same parts over and over I have no way of really knowing that the problem will not occur again.