FaultScore report
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 1994 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA between 1996 and 2006. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 30 of 30 worst.
FaultScore 8/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volkswagen Passat.
How this is worked out36
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Median failure at 110,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires
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.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Risk: A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
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.
Engine
NOTE: INCLUDES PASSAT, GOLF AND JETTA TURBO DIESEL. ON 1993-94 MODELS, THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT COULD SEIZE AND RENDER THE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. 1994-95 MODELS COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHEREBY THE LOCK NUT SECURING THE RADIATOR FAN BLADE HUB TO THE MOTOR COULD LOSE ITS REQUIRED TORQUE. A LOOSE LOCK NUT COULD CAUSE THE FAN HUB TO LOOSEN FROM THE SHAFT AND CAUSE THE BELT PULLEY TO RUN "OFF-CENTER". THIS IN TURN COULD CAUSE THE FAN BELT TO DISCONNECT OR BREAK. EITHER OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND STALLING. A VEHICLE STALLING IN TRAFFIC COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WITH EITHER HAVE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY REPLACED OR A NEW FAN BLADE WITH A NEW LOCK NUT INSTALLED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE DRIVING DUE TO GAS TANK FLUID LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #801109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
94 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 110K MILES, EXPERIENCED HEATER CORE FAILURE, LEAKING 200 DEGREE FLUID ONTO FLOOR OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT NEAR GAS/BRAKE PEDAL AND FOGGING OVER INTERIOR OF WINDSHIELD WITH STICKY ANTI-FREEZE RESIDUE.
NHTSA complaint #10172361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE SEAT BELT SWITCH BUILT INTO THE DOOR CAUSES THE SEAT BELT MOTOR TO RUN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON OFF. THE SEAT BELT MODULE WAS DISCONNECTED, RENDERING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #10105581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE SEAT BELT SWITCH BUILT INTO THE DOOR CAUSES THE SEAT BELT MOTOR TO RUN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON OFF. THE SEAT BELT MODULE WAS DISCONNECTED, RENDERING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #10105581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND 45 MINUTES LATER SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER TOOK OUT THE BATTERY TO STOP VEHICLE FROM CATCHING FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE SMOKE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *NLM THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED IN DEC. 2002 BUT WAS FAULTY. ONE WEEK LATER THE ELECTRICAL BURNED. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER IN RE TO EXTENDING THE IGNITION SWITCH WARRANTY. SMOKE CONTINUED TO POUR OUT OF THE IGNITION AREA AND FROM IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND AN ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH BURNT(#15 WIRE). THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ON DUE TO A FAILED ABS PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT IN RE TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10048646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND 45 MINUTES LATER SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER TOOK OUT THE BATTERY TO STOP VEHICLE FROM CATCHING FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE SMOKE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *NLM THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED IN DEC. 2002 BUT WAS FAULTY. ONE WEEK LATER THE ELECTRICAL BURNED. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER IN RE TO EXTENDING THE IGNITION SWITCH WARRANTY. SMOKE CONTINUED TO POUR OUT OF THE IGNITION AREA AND FROM IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND AN ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH BURNT(#15 WIRE). THE ABS LIGHT STAYED ON DUE TO A FAILED ABS PUMP. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT IN RE TO THE IGNITION PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10048646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #761284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT STEAM ENTERS INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH FOGS UP WINDOWS. CAUSE COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8006010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, CONSUMER DOES NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #561907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
COOLING FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE WITHIN 5 YEARS. I THINK THE PART WAS COVERED IN A RECALL, BUT VOLKSWAGEN COULD NOT TELL ME ABOUT THE VEHICLE HISTORY.
NHTSA complaint #743520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE CAR CUTS OFF AT ANY GIVEN SPEED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE INCLUDING ON A FREEWAY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #734967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION BRAKES WILL FAIL WITHOUT BEING DEPRESSING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #864981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WITH THE TRANSMSIION FAILING IT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY AT THE SPEED THAT I WAS GOING AT THE APPROMIMATE TIME OF FAILURE. AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURED DUE TO THE VIOLNET LUNGING BACK AND FORTH FROM THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PROMPTLY BY VOLKSWAGEN BEFORE FATALITIES DO OCCUR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE NOT FAILED AT SUCH AN EARLY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #723929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WITH THE TRANSMSIION FAILING IT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY AT THE SPEED THAT I WAS GOING AT THE APPROMIMATE TIME OF FAILURE. AN ACCIDENT ALMOST OCCURED DUE TO THE VIOLNET LUNGING BACK AND FORTH FROM THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PROMPTLY BY VOLKSWAGEN BEFORE FATALITIES DO OCCUR. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE NOT FAILED AT SUCH AN EARLY TIME.
NHTSA complaint #723929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE FAN MOTOR SHAFT SEIZED, RENDERING THE FAN MOTOR INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER HAS SINCE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #855859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TEMP GAUGE, AND TRANSMISSION INDICATOR. ENGINE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #708612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, TEMP GAUGE, AND TRANSMISSION INDICATOR. ENGINE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #708612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES WILL RETRACT SUDDENLY, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #828877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ENGINE QUITS AT ALL SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING OR INDICATION AND WILL NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY, CREATING HAZARDOUS TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM IS MOST APPARENT AFTER AUTOMATIC ENGAGEMENT OF THE COOLING FAN.
NHTSA complaint #537495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #781421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
ENGINE THERMOSTAT HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN VEHICLE OVERHEATING.
NHTSA complaint #538965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #538965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE BATTERIES WITHIN A FOUR YEAR PERIOD.
NHTSA complaint #538965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION (A/C, SUN ROOF, RADIO, POWER WINDOWS).
NHTSA complaint #538965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #538965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
RADIATOR HOSE BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #538965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.