1997 Volkswagen Passat Transmission Problems
5 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (5)
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 97 JETTA SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 1999. IT BEGAN WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN 2000 WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 35,000 MILES. THE DEALER IN NAPA REBUILT MY TRANSMISSION. EVER SINCE THEN, MY GEARS HAVE SEEMED UNUSUALLY STIFF AND TIGHT. ONLY 3 MONTHS LATER, MY IGNITION FAILED AND THE DEALER IN NAPA REPLACED THAT. THIS PAST SUMMER (2002) I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ONE OF MY AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. IT WAS GETTING STUCK AND LATER FELL INTO THE DOOR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO RAISE IT WITH MUCH DIFFICULTY. WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH TWO OF THE OTHER WINDOWS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 REGULATORS/LIFTS. THIS COST ME QUITE A BIT OF MONEY AS THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR IS GONE. OVER THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CLUTCH/GEAR BOX/ TRANSMISSION AGAIN. I AM TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALER TOMORROW FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK (12/30/02). NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY VW JETTA. THIS IS THE FIRST CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED AND HOPED IT WOULD BE A GREAT STARTER. I WILL NEVER BUY A VW AGAIN. SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770794
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH A LOCK-OUT FOR SELECTING REVERSE GEAR. ON OCCASION AND UNEXPECTINGLY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE THE THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN FORWARD FIRST GEAR. THIS HAPPENS EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFT LEVER IS DISTINCTLY IN REVERSE POSITION AND THE BACK-UP LIGHTS ARE ON. IT IS EXTREEMLY DANGEROUS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED AND ADJUSTED THE SHIFT MECHINISM MANY TIMES. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING.*AK
WHEN THE GEAR LEVER IS PUT IN THE REVERSE GEAR GATE THE GEARBOX MAY BE IN EITHER REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR. THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE CAR IS ACTUALLY IN UNTIL THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED. OBVIOUSLY, THIS MAKES PARKING A NEEDLESSLY DANGEROUS EXERCISE. *AK