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What is left to break?; How many things can break in one car? (a venting session)

2579 Views 32 Replies 14 Participants Last post by  Emry
In the 5 years I've had with atia (B5 v6 5spd) I feel like if it is possible for it to break, it has, twice. I'm wondering if there are other common failures someone has had that this car hasn't. I feel like I should get a prize for having a passat that ALL common failures were shown. This list doesn’t include wear items like clutch/brakes. It's a 5-speed v6 so no limp mode and turbo issues. Also I haven't seen barney blood yet, but they were preemptively replaced.


What has broke in the last 5 years and 76k miles:

Interior:
Rear view mirror went black
Rear window glass pin disintegrated
Rear defrost
Driver's side door:
window track destruction
door open handle broke
plastic cover that you remove to get the door skin off (2x)
window switch assembly (3x)
mirror switch
mirrors fold in but not out
speaker rattle
key broke off in trunk lock

Fuse #5 (HVAC, steering controls, heated seats)
heater core
dome lights come on and off as they wish
seat wobbles
seat adjustment only when car is on
screen in cluster cuts off corners (but still works)
trunk opening (electrical), and the key lock (mechanical)
CCM
glove box light (disintegrated while shorting out)
glove box door (2x)
visor lights
heated mirror wont heat

Suspension/Drivetrain:
every ball joint in the house at least twice!
3 days of fun with each pinch bolt, (now annually removed and re-greased)
calipers fused on (had to cut one out)
brake lines
CV shafts (4x)
abs module (3x)

Engine:
Vac lines
coil unit (2x)
spark plug wires (3x)
alternator
water pump
plastic that shows where TDC is
SAI fan plumbing
all PCV hoses
o2 sensor connections
Seven and counting flex pipes welded in
oil pan (2x)
bad coolant leak from back of engine (still can't find, ~1/2 quart a day of water added)
valve cover gaskets (2x but one was preventative)
most camshaft seals (2x)

Misc:
2 keyfobs
fell off and ran over corner marker light and belly pan at speed
car was impounded and they went muddin in it, still finding mud in new places
hood latch


I guess what im wondering is, anyone feel my pain or had a similar experience? I still do love her, but it's hard when 3/5 of the years I am greeted by beeping and/or STOP displayed every time I turn the key, and randomly while driving.

Either-way I feel better now.



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(The pull cord is to open the door)
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Send one of your failed ABS controllers to one of the resoldering/rebonding services, so that you will have a handy spare the next time one fails.
These cars do not match Toyota's levels of reliability, but the driving experience is superb.

Over 14 years and 60k hard urban miles, I have had to replace coilpacks, ECU power relay, ABS control module, mirror switch, CV boots, vacuum lines, F-hose, L-hose, PCV pressure regulating puck, oil cooler, O2 sensor, and MAF sensor. From what I have read in this forum, my experience is pretty typical. (My son's 2002 A4 has needed a coolant temperature sensor flange, an oil cooler, and a power steering rack -- also very typical failures for these cars.)

Mechanicals, body, engine, and transmission are sound, but most rubber and plastic parts and some electrical parts leave a lot to be desired.
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