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.
Engine
1235.3%
Gasoline
411.8%
Tank Assembly
411.8%
Automatic Transmission
411.8%
Heater Core
38.8%
Master Cylinder
38.8%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
25.9%
Ignition
25.9%
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.
Jan 1995peak 8Sep 2007
Recalls on the 1992 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.
United States — NHTSA
92V131000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
Risk: THE VENTURI TUBE CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK THE THROTTLE PLATEAND PREVENT IT FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION, RESULTING IN UNWANTEDENGINE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.
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.
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HEATER CORE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT WHITE STEAM FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10072033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesRaleigh, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEAT EXCHANGER (CORE) LEAKED WHILE DRIVING, STEAMING UP THE VEHICLE INTERIOR TO IMPAIR VISIBILITY. HOT COOLANT LEAKED INTO PASSENGER'S FOOT AREA. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ALREADY ISSUED RECALL # 96V115000. MY CAR IS 1992 VW PASSAT: [XXX]. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10041089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING GAS AND FUMES BEGAN EMITTING FROM VENTS CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG ELIMINATING CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT HAD A BROKEN HEATER CORE. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marina, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATING SYSTEM SMELLS OF ANTIFREEZE WHEN USING FRONT VENTS AND DEFROST. 2 - 3 FAN SELECTION USED AND HEATER SET TO MEDIUM WARM SETTING ANTIFREEZE FUMES STARTED TO BLOWOUT, WHICH FOGGED FRONT WINDOW AND BREATHING IN HAZMAT ANTIFREEZE.
NHTSA complaint #755507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marina, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATING SYSTEM SMELLS OF ANTIFREEZE WHEN USING FRONT VENTS AND DEFROST. 2 - 3 FAN SELECTION USED AND HEATER SET TO MEDIUM WARM SETTING ANTIFREEZE FUMES STARTED TO BLOWOUT, WHICH FOGGED FRONT WINDOW AND BREATHING IN HAZMAT ANTIFREEZE.
NHTSA complaint #755507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelph, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE VALVES AND TIMING BELT FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #557855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR STICKS AND CAUSES SUDDEN ACCELERATION OR HESITATES.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE GASKETS LEAKED.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apison, TN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK
TRUNK LATCH BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #784451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Pablo, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
City OF SU, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE OVERHEATING THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAPPEND AGAIN. YH
NHTSA complaint #547595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY OVERHEATING (6 TIMES).
NHTSA complaint #784431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pitsburg, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN IT'S COLD VEHICLE WILL START FAST AND RUN WELL. BUT AFTER CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP, PARKED AND STARTED AGAIN, IT'S HARD TO START. THEN, WHEN GOING DOWN THE STREET AND SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #858402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atison, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS *AK
NHTSA complaint #856016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atison, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS *AK
NHTSA complaint #856016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atison, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS *AK
NHTSA complaint #856016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atison, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS *AK
NHTSA complaint #856016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atison, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS *AK
NHTSA complaint #856016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atison, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS *AK
NHTSA complaint #856016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.