1995 Volkswagen Passat Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1995 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Most common 1995 Volkswagen Passat problems

Problem areas named in the 93 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Visibility	25
Engine And Engine Cooling	21
Electrical System	18
Power Train	11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	11
Latches/Locks/Linkages	11
Structure	7
Suspension	5
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Exterior Lighting	5

What owners report

2009-01-14, Parking Brake
5SP VRG PASSAT. EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE WHEN APPLIED UNDER 40 DEGREES STICKS ON CAUSING THE REAR WHEEL TO DRAG DOWN THE ROAD FOR UP TO A MILE BEFORE THEY BREAK LOOSE AGAIN AND MOVE FREELY. *TR

2009-01-14, Electrical System
BACKUP LIGHTS DIDN'T TURN ON, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE ACCENT LIGHTS (LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATE THE GAUGES, WINDOW, A/C & HEATER CONTROLS AND LOCK BUTTONS ETC.) WOULD TURN ON. ALSO IF THE CAR IF THE KEYS WERE TURNED TO THE FIRST NOTCH (STEERING WHEEL UNLOCK) AND THE HEATER VENTS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION BUT NOT BLOWING (DUE TO NO POWER) WHEN YOU PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE AIR WOULD START BLOWING... I TRACED IT DOWN TO AN IGNORANT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER DESIGNING THE CAR. THE REVERSE LIGHTS WERE LOOMED ON TO THE TRUNK ARM, EVERYTIME THE TRUNK WAS CLOSED IT BENT THE WIRE CAUSING THE WIRE TO BREAK AND SHORT OUT OVER TIME, I FIXED THE WIRE AND REROUTED IT LOW AND BEHOLD THE REVERSE LIGHTS

2009-01-14, Latches/Locks/Linkages
DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILS TO OPEN 75% OF THE TIME, YOU HAVE TO YANK THE HANDLE MULTIPLE TIMES FOR IT TO OPEN, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ANYMORE, THE OTHER DOORS ARE STARTING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WHEN YOU LOCK THE CAR THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS LOCK MECHANISM SLOWLY RISES TO THE UNLOCKED POSITION. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MANY TIMES FAIL TO CLOSE. WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOORS THEY FLY BACK OPEN EITHER IMMEDIATELY AFTER CLOSING OR WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. **THERE IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT MISPLACED INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER SECTION BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL.** *TR

2009-01-14, Visibility
HEATER CORE "DOORS " MELTED FROM THE R TYPE ANTIFREEZE BREAKING DOWN TO AN ACID. THIS CAUSE THE HEATERCORE TO BREAK, ANTIFREEZE ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS AND ALSO ODDLY ENOUGH FILLED THE GAUGE CLUSTER WITH STEAM FOGGING THE CLUSTER. IT'S $800 FOR A REPLACEMENT SO I BOUGHT A FITTING AND SOME HOSE CLAMPS AND BYPASSES THE HEATER CORE SO I COULD STILL OPERATE THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WASN'T TOO COLD. HOWEVER WHEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER ALL THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE DOWN DUE TO YOUR BODY HEAT CAUSING ALL GLASS IN THE VEHICLE TO FOG. REPLACED THE HEATER CORE IN JANUARY, FLUSHED THE RADIATOR AND INSTALLED REGULAR TYPE 50/50 ANTIFREEZE AND NOT THE VW R-TYPE FLUID TO PREVENT BREAK DOWN

2008-11-20, Engine And Engine Cooling
THE HEATER CORE FAILED ON OUR 1995 VW PASSAT WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING IT. WITHOUT WARNING IT FAILED AND POURED 190 DEGREE ANTIFREEZE OVER HIS ANKLES. FORTUNATELY HE WASN'T SEVERELY BURNED OR CRASHED THE CAR, BUT IT WAS SERIOUS ISSUE. WE SPOKE TO VW BUT THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THE HEATER CORE. MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD THE CORE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE RANDOMLY SELECTED. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS OF THIS HAPPENING OFTEN AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS RECALL THAT VW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

1995 Volkswagen Passat questions

Does the 1995 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1995 Volkswagen Passat: Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1995 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Visibility (25), Engine And Engine Cooling (21), Electrical System (18).

How do I check if a recall on my 1995 Volkswagen Passat has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.