When I worked at the VW/Audi shop in 07/08 my boss tried his best to sorta rebuild the bottom end of a turbo Passat. The crank journals had been damaged by excessive heat and sludge from using conventional oil. He practically begged the woman to use the full synthetic. But she just kept on getting them cheap Walmart oil changes and using plain old Quaker State.Turbo cushions top and bottom of the stroke, very easy on insides of engines.
However oil will breakdown faster, and and engine will run at a higher temperature and air intake is critical. So timely service is imperative, and lateness is more damaging.
I suspect that is where the reputation for failure come from.
When she picked it up the last time he told her
"You need to go trade this car in right now on a Honda or Toyota because YOU are NOT VW people." And when he tried to explain that it just got worse. But he was right. The turbo cars have always been more fun to drive but also required more discipline and attention to detail. Kinda like the old 16 valve GTI VWs from the 80s . More fun to drive but interference engines making that timing belt/water pump job WAY more important.

