NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
228.6%
150,000+ miles
457.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 1995peak 6Dec 2005
Recalls on the 1990 Volkswagen Passat
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20022393,900 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles equipped with seat heating units, the front seat back heaters may supply concentrated heat in a localized area of the seat back or produce excessive heat that could not be reduced by operating the seat heater controls except by switching off the controls completely. The concentrated heat could singe the fabric at the lower backrest and, in some instances, injure the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.
Recall 19961091,132 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
INCREASED COOLANT PRESSURE DUE TO ENGINE OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN RUPTURE OF HEAT EXCHANGER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY, OR, STEAMING OF INTERIOR. CORRECTION: HEAT EXCHANGER WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 19901058,911 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE WITH THE THREE POSITION LIGHT SWITCH IN THE SECOND POSITION. CORRECTION: MAIN LIGHT SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED ON JETTA, CORRADO AND PASSAT AND A RELAY WITH WIRING HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORE LEAKED INSIDE CAR, CAUSING BURN INJURY TO DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #517780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salmouth, MAFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
HEAT CONTROLLED FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BEGAN HEATING W/SWITCH OFF. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY HOT IMMEDIATELY. ONCE PULLED OVER TO CHECK, COMPARTMENT FILLED W/SMOKE AND DRIVER'S COAT WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #804563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
HI I PURCHASED A 1990 VW PASSAT THE VIN # IS [XXX] .... THE HEATER CORE BLEW ON THIS VEHICLE, I BY PASSED THE HOSES 2 STOP THE HEATER CORE FROM LEAKING, IT SMELLED LIKE SYRUP AND VISIBILITY WAS BAD IF I HAD TO USE THE WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER , I HAVE RECENTLY HEARD OF THIS RECALL AND CHECKED YOUR SITE AND SAW THAT THIS RECALL I HEARD ABOUT WAS TRUE. SO NEXT I WENT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER(JACK DANIELS, LOCATED IN FAIR LAWN NJ). I GAVE HIM THE VIN # AND HE SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DO NEXT SO IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT THANKS. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10145479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, HEATER CORE BURST, FILLING INTERIOR OF CAR WITH HOT COOLANT AND STEAM. HER VISION WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE STEAM ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND HE HAD TO BRING THE CAR TO A COMPLETE STOP IN TRAFFIC. MY DAUGHTER, WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, HAD SOME COOLANT SPILL ONTO HER SHOE. VOA HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS EXACT PART BEFORE ON OTHER SERIAL NUMBER RANGES AND OTHER MODELS, BUT FOR SOME REASON, THEY CLAIMED MY VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF RECALL CRITERIA, EVEN THOUGH THE SAME EXACT PART SUFFERED THE SAME EXACT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10090884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesWest Haven, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL 96V115000: THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY HEAT, THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND THE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY HEATING CORE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE HEATER CORE, BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10044805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesSalem, ORFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: POWER WINDOWS, IGNITION SWITCH, PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SEAT BELT, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR (TURN KEY OF AND ON TO RESET TRANSMISSION). FINALLY, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE APPEARS TO BE ELECTRICAL CAUSING WIDE-RANGING DAMAGE TO HOOD AND OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10018332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
THE RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND SWAY BARS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LOW MILEAGE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND SWAY BARS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LOW MILEAGE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL 96 V 115 000/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING IN WHICH COOLANT / STEAM WAS COMING INTO VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK HEATING CORE FAILED AND LEAKED THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM REPAIR WHILE THE SAME FAILURES AS IN THE RECALL OCCURED.
NHTSA complaint #884612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL 96 V 115 000/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING IN WHICH COOLANT / STEAM WAS COMING INTO VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK HEATING CORE FAILED AND LEAKED THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM REPAIR WHILE THE SAME FAILURES AS IN THE RECALL OCCURED.
NHTSA complaint #884612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #876465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, FL
TIRES
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS (03/11/00 AND 07/03/00) I WAS TRAVELLING AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF 75 MPH AND HEARD A SUDDEN SNAP COMING FROM ONE OF MY TIRES. HOWEVER, THE SOUND WAS VERY MUCH LIKE THE SOUND WHEN SOMETHING GETS CAUGHT UNDERNEATH THE CAR MOMENTARILY WHILE PASSING OVER IT. THE FIRST OCCASION INVOLVED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, THE SECOND INVOLVED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ON EACH OCCASION I FOUND THE TIRE'S TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE, LEAVING THE STEEL BELT UNDERNEATH TOTALLY EXPOSED. BOTH INCIDENTS INVOLVED THE SAME MODEL OF FIRESTONE TIRE, THE FIREHAWK SS10. THE AFFECTED TIRES REMAINED COMPLETELY INFLATED, SO HAD I NOT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER THE INITIAL SNAP, I WOULDN'T HAVE NOTICED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I FEAR THAT IF I HAD NOT PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, I MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE REST OF THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, PERHAPS ONLY A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD. I NOW HAVE 3 NEW BRIDESTONE TIRES ON MY CAR AND FEAR FOR MY SAFETY.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/60R14 )
NHTSA complaint #727636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE DID NOT REALIZE OTHER OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR UNTIL WE READ YOUR REPORTS.WE DID NOT CONTACT THE MANUFACTURE BECAUSE WE THOUGHT OUR PROBLEMS MAY BE ONE OF A FEW. OTHERS ARE "HARD START, ROUGH/HUNTING AT IDLE ,HARSH ENGAGEMENT & FINALLY NO 4TH GEAR SHIFT.
NHTSA complaint #725552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conato Park, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
RECALL NUMBER 96V115000; CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FAILURE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER STATED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #865163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT END VIBRATION CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR OUT AND WHEELS TO BEND. YH
NHTSA complaint #551915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
SPRING STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hemet, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
CV JOINT FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN I APPLY QUICK BRAKES AT 50 MPH. ALSO, WHEN I LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, REDUCING VEHICLE SPEEC TO 30 MPH, UPON APPLYING BRAKING THE ENGINE FREQUENTLY STALLS. THIS IS AN DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT/CRASH. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY QUICK BRAKES AT 30 MPH. THE LACK OF VACCUM PRESENT DUE TO ENGINE STALLING CAUSES THE POWER BRAKES TO FAIL, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FOOT PRESSURE AND EMERGENCY BRAKES ENGAGEMENT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAD AN RECENT TUNE-UP WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS TO THE PROBLEM*AK.
NHTSA complaint #721370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flushing, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN I APPLY QUICK BRAKES AT 50 MPH. ALSO, WHEN I LEAVE THE HIGHWAY, REDUCING VEHICLE SPEEC TO 30 MPH, UPON APPLYING BRAKING THE ENGINE FREQUENTLY STALLS. THIS IS AN DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION WHICH CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT/CRASH. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY QUICK BRAKES AT 30 MPH. THE LACK OF VACCUM PRESENT DUE TO ENGINE STALLING CAUSES THE POWER BRAKES TO FAIL, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FOOT PRESSURE AND EMERGENCY BRAKES ENGAGEMENT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAD AN RECENT TUNE-UP WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS TO THE PROBLEM*AK.
NHTSA complaint #721370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jersey City, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO THE OIL TOP BEING LEFT OFF WHICH CAUSED ANIT-FREEZE FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #849510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #705274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.