1996 Volkswagen Passat Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Most common 1996 Volkswagen Passat problems

Problem areas named in the 40 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	14
Visibility	12
Engine And Engine Cooling	6
Latches/Locks/Linkages	6
Exterior Lighting	3
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Power Train	2
Unknown Or Other	1
Structure	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1

What owners report

2015-02-06, Latches/Locks/Linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR TO WIND THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

2011-07-04, Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 1996 VW PASSAT AT 65 MPH AND THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH WATER AND ANTI FREEZE STEAM AND VAPOR. IT WAS QUICKLY AND WITH OUT WARNING IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE HEATER CORE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

2010-11-12, Engine And Engine Cooling
HEATER CORE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, BLOWING HOT STEAM OUT OF THE VENTS, DUMPING HOT COOLANT ONTO MY FEET AND FOGGING UP THE WINDSHIELD INSTANTLY. *TR

2008-08-18, Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SELLER STATED THAT IT WAS A MINOR ISSUE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS RESET AND ILLUMINATED AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY OVERHEAT. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING; HOWEVER, RADIATOR FLUID WOULD SPILL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS PARKED. THE RADIATOR, TIMER, WATER PUMP, AND SENSORS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS REMEDIED THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V178000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) FOR THE 1995 PASSAT IS IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE SH

2008-08-04, Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

1996 Volkswagen Passat questions

Does the 1996 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat: Electrical System:Ignition:Switch. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (14), Visibility (12), Engine And Engine Cooling (6).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 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.