Table 1 shows 16 common engine and engine cooling related problems of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat. The number one most common problem is related to the oil pump (22 problems). The second most common problem is related to the diesel engine (ten problems).
Engine oil pump drive failure (tdi engine), causing loss of engine operation including loss of power steering and loss of power brakes. Read details...
Our Passat is the tdi (diesel) model. We purchased it used and at around 185,000-190,000 (low miles by diesel engine standards), the vehicle completely shut down while being driven. I lost power steering and brakes. Diagnostics revealed that the chain driven oil pump assembly had malfunctioned. Read details...
It just died and I lost brakes, power steering, and only know what else stopped working. Come to find out the splines wear off of the oil pump shift after the counter balance and chain goes out. This is so common a problem that when you google what happened there are numerous videos and complaints Read details...