1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
48 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 10 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 6 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 4 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 1 |
Recent Complaints
REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED AND DOOR FLEW OPEN AND 10 YEAR OLD CHILD FELL OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR APPEARS TO CLOSE NORMALLY BUT IT IS NOT LATCHED. AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR MULTIPLE TIMES , IT DOES CATCH BUT IT IS NOT OBVIOUS WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. LUCKILY, THERE MINOR INJURIES DUE TO THE LOW SPEED OF THE CAR.*AK
Mileage: 80,000
IN JANUARY 2004 I DROVE BACK TO SCHOOL IN VIRGINIA AFTER SPENDING CHRISTMAS WITH MY FAMILY. ON THE WAY BACK WHILE I WAS ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURN PIKE MY HEATER CORE BURST, SPRAYING BOILING HOT COOLANT (BOTH LIQUID AND STEAM) INTO THE VEHICLES INTERIOR. THE LIQUID FOR THE MOST PART CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CARPET, AND FORTUNATELY ANY THAT WAS SPRAYED ON MY SIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT WAS BLOCKED BY MY PANTS. THE STEAM HOWEVER FILLED MY COMPARTMENT, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE AND CAUSING A NEAR COLLIS
Mileage: 85,000
NO EVENT LEADING TO THE FAILURE... I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN MY HEATER CORE FAILED.. CAUSING SOLDING HOT COOLANT TO RUSH ONTO MY FEET WHILE DRIVING.. I HAD TO BRAKE WHILE COOLANT WAS ALL OVER MY FEET...BURNING THEM...NEARLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT!*AK
Mileage: 99,635