1989 Volkswagen Dasher problems

General information about Volkswagen-Dasher
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

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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Common 1989 Volkswagen Dasher problems

Based on the information provided in the sources, the Volkswagen Dasher was sold in the U.S. during the 1980s. Here are some common problems reported by owners of the Volkswagen Dasher:

Limited Availability: Finding a Volkswagen Dasher today, especially the diesel models like the GTD, can be challenging as there are only a handful of GTD models believed to be in running condition in the U.S..

Engine Reliability: The diesel engines in the Volkswagen Dasher, like the 2,304cc Indenor inline-four in the 604 GTD model, may have faced reliability issues common to older diesel engines.

Parts Availability: Due to the age of the Volkswagen Dasher models, sourcing parts for maintenance and repairs can be difficult, impacting the overall ownership experience and cost.

Performance Concerns: The diesel models of the Volkswagen Dasher, while offering good fuel economy, may have lacked the performance and power that many buyers preferred, leading to a preference for the gasoline models with the PRV V6 engine.

Limited Features: Compared to more modern vehicles, the Volkswagen Dasher may lack some of the advanced features and technologies that are standard in contemporary cars, affecting comfort and convenience for owners.

These common problems highlight some of the challenges that owners of the Volkswagen Dasher, especially the diesel models, may have faced.

What is the most common problem with Volkswagens?

Some of the most prevalent VW problems include coil failure, overheating, coolant leaks, ABS control module failures, electrical issues, timing belt problems, and oil leaks/consumption.

What is a Volkswagen Dasher?

The VW Dasher was really the first generation of VW Passat, a model that has served the company very well for decades. This car had a 75hp carb'd four banger in it. That engine would be replaced with a 1.6L Bosch fuel injected piece making 78hp about a year later.

What are the weaknesses of Volkswagen?

Volkswagen's Weaknesses

As a result of the diesel emissions scandal, Volkswagen was penalized to pay over € 30 Billion in fines in various countries and has struggled to regain the trust of consumers. [ ...
While it has an impressive portfolio, the company is focused on producing cars for sale.

Why does Volkswagen have a bad reputation?

In September 2015, the EPA announced that Volkswagen had violated the Clean Air Act by installing illegal software into their diesel vehicles. Regulators in multiple countries began to investigate the automaker, and its stock price fell in value by a third in the days immediately after the news.

1989 Volkswagen Dasher car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Dasher problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are: