2001 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6
WVWRH63B51P203409
Vehicle history report for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 (VIN WVWRH63B51P203409). Gold. 110,741 mi reported. Registered in Mn. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2001 Volkswagen Passat worth?
What comparable 2001 Volkswagen Passat vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
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Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN WVWRH63B51P203409
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts …
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) T…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATI
NHTSA Campaign #08V156000 · 07/04/2008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS USING A NEW ALLOY COMPOSED OF GOLD, SILVER, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF NICKEL, WHICH WILL NOT CHEMICALLY REACT WITH SULFUR. VW/AUDI WILL ALSO CALL BACK VEHICLES THAT WERE REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS R
NHTSA Campaign #01V157000 · 03/05/2001FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WH
NHTSA Campaign #02V026000 · 25/01/2002We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 447 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Volkswagen Passat, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 447
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat.
SERVICE BRAKES
My fuses keep blowing, this is leading to replacing the Brake switch which I believe was recalled. If it was replaced,it's not working.
NHTSA ODI #11745122AIR BAGS
The driver's side airbag of my 2001 VW Passat spontaneously deployed while I drove on Hwy 494 in Woodbury MN. Sometime within 24 hours before the airbag deployed, the airbag fault light turned on in the car's dashboard display. Within 15 minutes before the incident, the car's automatic locking locks unlocked twice while I was driving the car. After the se…
NHTSA ODI #11422304ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TOOK CAR TO VW DEALER TO HAVE TIMING BELT REPLACED AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OPEN RECALLS AND THEY OFFERED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL #08V156. MANUFACTURER #26E5. THEY INSTALLED THE HEAT SHIELD BUT COULD NOT PERFORM SOFTWARE UPGRADE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL. NOW VW W…
NHTSA ODI #11389398VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
ABS LIGHT ON AND BREAK LIGHT FLASHING
NHTSA ODI #11120015FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STARTED SMELLING GAS AND MILEAGE STARTED DROPPI G BAD AROUND THE END OF NOVEMBER. WE SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THE GAS TANK AND FUEL LINES FOR 01 VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT FOR THIS VIN # WHICH HAPPENS TO BE MY SONS CAR. NOW ITS AT THE SHOP BECAUSE ITS GAS MILEAGE WENT WAY DOWN AND AND SMELLS LIKE GAS AND HE WAS TOLD THAT HE WAS DRIVIN…
NHTSA ODI #11054149ENGINE
FAULTY CAM CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE TO VALVES, PISTONS, CAMSHAFT, CAM TIMING CHAIN. I WAS STATIONARY WAITING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A SUDDEN LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SPUTTER. THE CAR LOST MOST OF ITS POWER AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTI…
NHTSA ODI #11046400FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS HAD AN R5 RECALL FOR FUEL LINES, FUEL TANK, AND A HEAT SHIELD. THE HARD (LOW PRESSURE FUEL RETURN?) LINE, THE MIDDLE ONE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET ATOP THE FIREWALL, HAS FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. IT NOW SPRAYS GASOLINE DIRECTLY DOWN ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE IN THE SAME EXACT POINT THAT MANY…
NHTSA ODI #11012185AIR BAGS
MY CAR IS A 2001 MODEL, AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF IT HAS TAKATA AIRBAGS IN IT, EVEN IF IT ISN'T COVERED BY THE RECALL. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS ARE TAKATA OR NOT. CAN YOU GIVE ME THIS INFORMATION?? I HOPE SO, OTHERWISE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIND OUT. THANKS [XXX] *DL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55…
NHTSA ODI #10955699+ 439 more complaints on record.






