Passat B7 reliability

[VAG newbie]

Not sure if this has been asked before. Been trying to look for a new family wagon to replace my wife's Volvo XC60 when the lease is finished. Due to the changes in FBT rules, (ie. Flat rate of 20%) I can't afford a car as expensive as the XC60.

The Passat wagon has ticked almost every box of our need and is well within our budget. The only concern we have is the poor record of VW's reliability. I don't know how true is it, but according to the JD power's survey, VW certainly was ranked among the worst. I have also heard a lot of horror stories about VW from friends.

I have test driven the B7, and I must say it felt much better screwed together than the B6. But initial quality doesn't equal to long term reliability. Of course I'm aware that Euro cars can't be as reliable as Japanese cars because Euro cars are usually more sophisticated. But compare to a Volvo or a Merc, is VW equally as reliable?

Now that the B7 has been out for more than 1 year, I would just like to ask the owners of B7 passats, whether they have encountered any problems? How often do problem arise? Is it true about the poor reliability of VW's?

[dopey]

I've had my B7 125TDI for 13 months now. Notable faults have been:

1. Faulty fuel filter housing = Diesel leak. This was when it was near new. Fixed under warranty.

2. They forgot the wheel lock nut key. Couldn't get the wheel off when I had a puncture. Key replaced under warranty and tyre fixed free of charge for the inconvenience.

3. A/C System smelly. Had it cleaned out, smell returned. Getting it repaired again this week. I think the VW A/C evaporator design must be a good place for bacteria because it's not in the filter, or the vents, or anywhere else I could access. Annoying but not a deal breaker.

4. Passenger window switch faulty. Fixing under warranty next week with the A/C. Works fine from drivers side, but passenger side switch will only let me put it up/down with "auto" function which is annoying.

Overall not enough for me to say don't buy one. I had particular issues with a few useless members of staff at one dealer, but have been treated really well at another since. Ensure you get factory warranty for the entire period of ownership though.

[Riker]

Had my V6 B7 for 9 months now & all is as it should be, great...

[FSI 220]

Mine came out with the steering of center... and a a long blonde hair in the instrument cluster... both were sorted, been mint since...

7500km so probably not a statistically relevant distance ... I paint all hi tech euro as similar risk... including Volvos , the beauty of a lease is the cost of ownership (and typical repairs) are allocated... at least VW has been building DSG's for a while (at least the wet pack 6spd ones...) etc... etc...

Tech brings risk... it is up to you, you already allude to the basic difference to Japanese.... I enjoy the robotized manual, hi-po direct injection 220kw V6, active AWD and all the toys knowing something might stuff up... However I put my wife and kids in a two tonne Toyota.... with mature port injection technology 200kw V6, a regular ignition barrel, regular 5speed torque converter gbox, regular permanent AWD, cable operated handbrake... knowing she will be safe and never be left by the side of the road because the ignition lock, dsg, locked handbrake actuator or whatever.

Then again, my first car was a ported 76 Rotary, so i got used to disappointment early

[Buzy_Robot]

A year since purchase my MY11 125TDI sedan is going strong with no major mechanical issues or failures whatsoever after 12,000kms. Just drove down from Melbourne to Queenscliff and back today. More than 200kms in one day and my Passat proved gutsy, surefooted and incredibly economical - telling me it could do over 1,000ks on a single tank of diesel ... Believe it!

The downside of my Passat are some of the silly interior rattles, height adjustment levers working loose from the front seats and the occasionally temperamental iPod integration where it skips the start of a track (this doesn't happen always though).

I was led to believe I had an issue with premature front tyre wear and wheel alignment last week, but it was all sorted out by Bob Jane. They were rather bewildered by the VW service report and told me my Passat's tyres are all in excellent condition and to come back for an assessment after I'd done another 10,000kms. Go figure?!?!

Would I recommend the Passat? Yes, but it might be worthwhile waiting to see the next Mazda6, Subaru Liberty or Skoda Octavia. The Japanese contenders will get new fuel efficient engines and drivetrains. The Skoda Ocatvia will be larger and built on VW's new MQB platform.

Reliability can be a very subjective thing and twisted to suit certain agendas and perspectives. Don't assume Japanese cars don't have problems, because they do, albeit of a different sort and frequency compared to European cars. My previous Mazda6 needed to have a rear speaker replaced - does that mean it was unreliable? I don't thinks so. Let's factor in recalls and start talking about Toyota - considered by many to be reliable and risk free in terms of maintenance and low running costs - yet, subject to quite a few serious recalls.

Whatever car you buy, there's always the risk of something going wrong - that's what a warranty is for and my advice is to enjoy the great driving experience offered by a Passat (or your car of choice) and not speculate on potential problems that may not even arise during your ownership of the vehicle.

[VAG newbie]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is a bit of relief hearing that most of the problems are minor annoyances rather than major mechanical failure.

Certainly I'm not rushing into buying one at the moment. It is still sometime before my wife's car's lease is due, but still gotta make up my mind in the next few months if I need to order one from Germany.

[VAG newbie]

Had a dramatic changes in my perception towards to Passat reliability.

I just spoke to one of my colleague, who got the B7 118TSI in July last year when it first came out. After 6 months of ownership, he started to notice the shudder in the DSG as it starts. This is an old but common problem that I have heard many times. The problem he is facing is that the dealer could not fix it, and he was told that it was normal! He said it never happened in the first 6 months, so how can that be normal? The other complain he has is the TSI engine eats oil like crazy! He has to top it up every 3-4 months and it really adds to the running cost.

I do realize the 125TDI uses a different type DSG (6 speed wet type), I never have problem with my Superb (touch wood!), and I never had to top up the oil, so I hope the problem is not applicable to the 125TDI, which is the one I am planning to get. I was under the impression that the 7 speed dry type has more reliability issue than the 6 speed wet type. But again, there is no evidence to support that.

Well, my colleague's advice is, since I am leasing and I will get rid of the car before the warranty expires, so it shouldn't be an issue. But my wife is becoming very sceptical about VW now.

[booba]

The FSI will eat oil, they all do and it is stated in the manual. Get a Camry would be my suggestion LOL.

Had a dramatic changes in my perception towards to Passat reliability.

I just spoke to one of my colleague, who got the B7 118TSI in July last year when it first came out. After 6 months of ownership, he started to notice the shudder in the DSG as it starts. This is an old but common problem that I have heard many times. The problem he is facing is that the dealer could not fix it, and he was told that it was normal! He said it never happened in the first 6 months, so how can that be normal? The other complain he has is the TSI engine eats oil like crazy! He has to top it up every 3-4 months and it really adds to the running cost.

I do realize the 125TDI uses a different type DSG (6 speed wet type), I never have problem with my Superb (touch wood!), and I never had to top up the oil, so I hope the problem is not applicable to the 125TDI, which is the one I am planning to get. I was under the impression that the 7 speed dry type has more reliability issue than the 6 speed wet type. But again, there is no evidence to support that.

Well, my colleague's advice is, since I am leasing and I will get rid of the car before the warranty expires, so it shouldn't be an issue. But my wife is becoming very sceptical about VW now.

[Buzy_Robot]

Why doesn't your friend go to another VW dealer or a VW specialist? Either way, his car is covered by warranty.

Besides, it doesn't mean everyone who bought a 118TSI will have the same problem. You're using ONE example to dramatically change your opinion of the Passat?!

I'm not sure how using what you've heard or read can really lead you to an objective opinion about the Passat.

If I had listened to all the scaremongering, my Passat should have broken into pieces in less than a year and spent more time at the dealer than with me! Some annoying rattles aside, it's been a pleasure and a privilege to own and drive this vehicle.

Having owned a 2010 Mazda6 and extensively driven company cars like a 2010 VE Calais and 2010 Subaru Liberty, I can tell you that all of them (including my Passat) have proven reliable with comparable servicing costs. The Liberty did have four official recalls in its first nine months on the market, but Subaru were remarkably prompt at addressing the issues.

I understand where you're coming from in terms of wanting bulletproof reliability, but why avoid the Passat based on anecdotal evidence when the reality is that most new cars are fine, but any new car can develop some faults regardless of manufacturer.

It's how the manufacturer and dealer respond to an issue which can make or break the ownership experience and not necessarily the car itself.

Had a dramatic changes in my perception towards to Passat reliability.

I just spoke to one of my colleague, who got the B7 118TSI in July last year when it first came out. After 6 months of ownership, he started to notice the shudder in the DSG as it starts. This is an old but common problem that I have heard many times. The problem he is facing is that the dealer could not fix it, and he was told that it was normal! He said it never happened in the first 6 months, so how can that be normal? The other complain he has is the TSI engine eats oil like crazy! He has to top it up every 3-4 months and it really adds to the running cost.

I do realize the 125TDI uses a different type DSG (6 speed wet type), I never have problem with my Superb (touch wood!), and I never had to top up the oil, so I hope the problem is not applicable to the 125TDI, which is the one I am planning to get. I was under the impression that the 7 speed dry type has more reliability issue than the 6 speed wet type. But again, there is no evidence to support that.

Well, my colleague's advice is, since I am leasing and I will get rid of the car before the warranty expires, so it shouldn't be an issue. But my wife is becoming very sceptical about VW now.