when did the VWs turn the corner on elec problems?

[mrbigstuff]

I'm looking at a few VW Passat wagons. I have heard that after a certain year, the company worked out the bugaboos. Recalling that a few folks here have had issues with their VWs, I'm wondering aloud if there is a "safe" year to begin my search. If it's a too recent model, that may price me out of the running anyhow.