Volkswagen Dasher problems
The Volkswagen Passat (B1) is a large family car produced by Volkswagen in West Germany from 1973 to 1981.
B1 in Europe
The original Volkswagen Passat was launched in 1973. The body types offered originally were two- and four-door fastback sedans (that were discontinued in 1981). These were joined in January 1975 by identically profiled three- and five-door hatchback versions. Externally all four shared a modern design, styled by the Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. In essence, the first Passat was a fastback version of the mechanically identical Audi 80 sedan, introduced a year earlier. While the Audi 80 was nominated Car of the Year by the European motor press in 1973, they considered the Passat a facelifted version of the Audi and thus ineligible for the 1974 competition. The Passat became Wheels magazine's Car of the Year for 1974, however. A five-door station wagon/estate was introduced in 1974; the same car was available with Audi badging in many markets.
The Passat was one of the most modern European family cars at the time and was intended as a replacement for the aging Volkswagen Type 3 and Type 4. The platform serving it and the Audi 80 was named B1. In Europe, the Passat was equipped with either two rectangular, two round 7-inch (180 mm) units, or quadruple round 5.5-inch (140 mm) headlights depending on specification.
The Passat originally used the four-cylinder OHC 1.3 L (55 PS or 40 kW or 54 hp) and 1.5 L (with either 75 or 85 PS, 55 or 63 kW or 74 or 84 hp) petrol engines developed by Audi and also used in the Audi 80 -longitudinally mounted with front-wheel drive, in Audi tradition, with either a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic. It had a MacPherson strut front suspension with a solid axle/coil spring setup at the rear.
The SOHC 1.5 was enlarged to 1.6 L in August 1975 with unchanged power ratings and slightly higher torque ratings. In July 1978 the Passat Diesel became available, equipped with the VW Golf's 50 PS (37 kW; 49 hp) 1.5 L Diesel, followed in February 1979 (at the AutoRAI) by the Passat GLI with a fuel-injected version of the 1.6 L engine.
The whole range received a facelift in summer 1977 (model year 1978 - launched during 1978 outside of Europe), featuring an interior upgrade including a new dashboard and subtly revised styling including repositioned indicators and depending on model, either four round or two rectangular headlights. The objective, according to the manufacturer, was to differentiate the VW version from the mechanically similar Audi 80. Inside was a restyled dashboard in the style of the Golf, with the radio and heating controls now mounted centrally, one above the other, in a single unit alongside the principal dials. Engine mountings, the gearbox, and the exhaust system were modified in order to reduce interior noise, and comfort was also improved by changes to the springing and shock absorbers. The car's wheels were increased in size, and at the back, there was a stronger anti-roll bar. Right-hand-drive versions retained the original dashboard.
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Volkswagen Dasher model years
Common Volkswagen Dasher problems
The Volkswagen Dasher, also known as the Passat B1, was a significant car for Volkswagen as it marked the departure from the old air-cooled, rear-engine Volkswagen to the Auto Union-derived tech that Volkswagen acquired. The Dasher was the first water-cooled car and Volkswagen’s first front-driver, which was a notable milestone for the company.
However, despite its overall good reputation, many Dasher owners have reported several problems with the car. One common issue is the car's slow speed, even by generous 1980 standards. The diesel version of the Dasher was particularly slow, with a top speed of around 52 mph, which was not uncommon for diesel cars of that era.
Another common problem with the Dasher is its body rust, which is evident in the car featured in the article from The Truth About Cars. The car appears to have been driven down from Alaska, judging from the body rust, moss growing on the trim, and parking stickers. This suggests that the Dasher may not have been well-suited for harsh weather conditions, and owners may have experienced issues with rust and corrosion.
The interior of the Dasher was also prone to issues, particularly with the seats. Many owners have reported that the seats in their Dasher cars were uncomfortable and wore out quickly. The car's suspension was also a source of problems, with many owners reporting issues with the car's handling and ride quality.
The Dasher's engine was another area where many owners experienced problems. The car's engine was not particularly reliable, and many owners reported issues with the engine's performance and longevity. The diesel engine, in particular, was known for its poor performance and lack of power, which made the car even slower and less enjoyable to drive.
Finally, the Dasher's transmission was also a source of problems for many owners. The car's transmission was not particularly durable, and many owners reported issues with the transmission's performance and longevity. The car's automatic transmission, in particular, was known for its poor performance and lack of reliability.
In summary, while the Volkswagen Dasher was a significant car for Volkswagen, it was not without its problems. Many Dasher owners have reported issues with the car's speed, body rust, interior, engine, and transmission. These issues may have contributed to the car's declining popularity and eventual discontinuation.
Why did Volkswagen get rid of the Passat?
Volkswagen decided that the mid-size Passat didn't have enough differentiating it from the other competitors in gas-powered sedans, especially at a time when SUVs are growing in popularity not only among consumers but also among auto insurance companies and regulators as they require higher levels of safety ratings.
What year did the Volkswagen Dasher come out?
In North America, the car was called the Volkswagen Dasher. The three- and five-door hatchback and a station wagon model were launched in North America for and during the 1974 model year.
What VW to stay away from?
A: The 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta models are the ones to avoid due to their numerous reported issues and lower reliability scores. These model years have been plagued by various problems, ranging from transmission failures to faulty braking systems and engine stalling.
How many miles will a VW Passat last?
between 100,000 and 200,000 miles
Most Volkswagen vehicles will last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, although well-kept models can last even longer than that. All VWs are remarkably reliable vehicles. When it comes to longevity, the Golf, Passat, Jetta, and Beetle are known to be particularly long-lasting.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Volkswagen Dasher years
We have researched Volkswagen problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Volkswagen Dasher cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Volkswagen Dasher model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Volkswagen Dasher model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Volkswagen Dasher years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Volkswagen Dasher car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Volkswagen Dasher , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Volkswagen Dasher vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Dasher model years
A total of 1 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Dasher model years
There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Volkswagen Dasher . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Volkswagen Dasher vehicles.
List of Volkswagen Dasher complaints
Volkswagen Dasher 1978
- Date Of Incident: 1997-12-01
- Date Complaint: 1998-03-16
- VIN: 3282049172
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILURE.
Volkswagen Dasher 1989
- Date Of Incident: 1991-01-25
- Date Complaint: 1995-01-10
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WVWPG01G6KW
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT IN A COLLISION. TT
Recalls Volkswagen Dasher
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the Volkswagen Dasher.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Volkswagen Dasher 1978
- Report Received Date: 1983-11-09
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
- Summary: THE FUEL PUMP MAY STOP FUNCTIONING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAN OCCUR BECAUSE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE FUSE PANEL MAY OVERHEAT AND INTERRUPT THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.
- Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUSE BOX AND ITS CONNECTORS FOR CORROSION, AND CORRECT WHERE NECESSARY. A BYPASS ADAPTER TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL BE INSTALLED.
- Model: Volkswagen Dasher 1978
- Report Received Date: 1977-10-19
- Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- Summary: ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE TWO GUIDE BOLTS FOR EACH OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE FREE-FLOATING FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS DURING ASSEMBLY.
- Remedy: THE DEALER WILL TIGHTEN THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER GUIDE BOLTS TO SPECIFICATIONS, FREE OF CHARGE, WHERE FOUND NECESSARY.
Are you having problems with your Volkswagen Dasher?
