DefectRecord Public Record - Not a Government Site

Home / Volkswagen / Passat / 2001

Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Passat 2001 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

430Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
37Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine100 complaints

100 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System83 complaints

83 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes69 complaints

69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System46 complaints

46 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 01V157000, 02V026000, 08V156000.

Lighting39 complaints

39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

01V157000Reported May 3, 2001 - 70,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on May 3, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 70,000 vehicles across all affected models.

02V026000Reported January 25, 2002 - 487,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 25, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 487,284 vehicles across all affected models.

08V156000Reported April 7, 2008 - 412,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 7, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 412,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05004Opened August 11, 2005 - Closed December 8, 2005

ENGINE STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA03020Opened October 7, 2003 - Closed April 23, 2004

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA03020Opened October 7, 2003 - Closed April 23, 2004

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA07014Opened September 28, 2007 - Closed July 7, 2008

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

EA07014Opened September 28, 2007 - Closed July 7, 2008

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

EA11002Opened January 26, 2011 - Closed February 17, 2012

Engine Compartment Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA11002Opened January 26, 2011 - Closed February 17, 2012

Engine Compartment Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03021Opened May 23, 2003 - Closed October 7, 2003

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE07024Opened May 10, 2007 - Closed September 28, 2007

PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08008Opened January 31, 2008 - Closed May 30, 2008

FUEL TANK LEAK. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

PE08008Opened January 31, 2008 - Closed May 30, 2008

FUEL TANK LEAK. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20002
200131
200236
200360
200460
200550
200638
200735
200840
200927
201010
201114
20125
20136
20144
20152
20162
20174
20181
20212
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.