Is the car a 1.8turbo or V6? Oil leaks are common on Passats. The oil leaks could be do to a plugged PCV component or bad gaskets. A plugged PCV will cause backpressure and force oil past gaskets. If it's that, it inexpensive and a DIY.

If the tranny pan is cracked it should be replaced. It's fairly easy DIY with ATF change. A new pan is probably fairly expensive though.

The magnets are in the shift mechanism not in the transmission. I believe others have been able to put the magnets back in place but not positive. Do a search.

 

it's a V6 the pan isn't cracked.

I have the component for the shifter that has the magnets in it. I was just curious if the magnets having fallen down would be able to work them selves into the inner working of the trans.

thanks

 

I was just curious if the magnets having fallen down would be able to work them selves into the inner working of the trans.

No.

Are you sure the pans are leaking? If the transmission and oil pans are both leaking, both will have to be dropped; not complex but messy and tedious. If you're not willing to do them yourself, close to $1000 at the dealer.

There are a lot of other places for oil to leak; some trivial, like the valve cover gasket, some not so, like the cam chain tensioner seal. The latter is common, and (sadly) another $500 dealer job.