16 of the
57 complaints about the 1997 Volkswagen Passat are about the
electrical system — 28% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
93,000 miles.
F
16
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Switch
743.8%
Electrical System
318.8%
Interior/Under Dash
212.5%
Front Underhood
16.3%
Ignition
16.3%
Starter Assembly
16.3%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
16.3%
Electrical System across every Volkswagen Passat year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED SPONTANEOUSLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WIRES TO MELT AND THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE IGNITION WAS LOCATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF THE IGNITION AND LOCKING COMPONENTS WERE SERVICE, REPLACED AND REMOVED 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10457713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesSAN Leandro, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED SPONTANEOUSLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WIRES TO MELT AND THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE IGNITION WAS LOCATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF THE IGNITION AND LOCKING COMPONENTS WERE SERVICE, REPLACED AND REMOVED 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10457713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesEL Sovrante, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR HEADLIGHTS, THEY FAILED TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10240603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesEagan, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
VEHICLE VOLKSWAGEN 1997 PASSAT GLX - V6 ENGINE. FULL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, DIGITAL CLOCK... EVERYTHING ON IT, DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 50 DEGREES. CAR MUST BE DRIVEN FOR 10MIN., OR ABOUT 8-12 MILES, BEFORE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RETURNS TO NORMAL FUCTION. CAR IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT FUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE MY SPEED AND DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, EXCEPT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WHEN CAR STARTED AND TRIP MILEAGE WOULD RESET. THIS STARTED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE BEGAN. THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS TIME PASSES, AS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM OCCURS IN WARMER WEATHER NOW. PROBLEM USED TO OCCUR WHEN TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 35 DEGREES. NOW HAPPENS AT 50 DEGREES.
NHTSA complaint #10203187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,600 milesOssining, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VARIOUS ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING--WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LIGHTS, DEFROST MOTOR--ON A VERY DARK, RAINY MORNING, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A NEAR-ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY WARNED OF 'IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE', BUT WOULD ONLY REPAIR AFTER FAILURE AND BEFORE 10 YRS OR 100,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 100,600 MILES. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO BEAR THE REPAIR COST FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10171239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,100 milesWorthington, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE OPERATIONAL. SAME CONDITION WAS COVERED UNDER RECALL ON 1996 VW PASSAT MODELS, MANUFACTURER IS NOT OFFERING COVERAGE ON SAME BODY STYLE UNDER 1997 AND 1995 DESIGNATION. IMPACTED VEHICLE IS A 1997 VW PASSAT WAGON.
NHTSA complaint #10165563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesDexter, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
WHILE EN-ROUTE BETWEEN DEXTER, MICHIGAN AND GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, CABIN BEGAN TO SMELL OF SMOKE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A HALON EXTINGUISHER PROMPTLY. EXAMINATION OF THE COMPONENTS POST-FIRE REVEALED A DEFECTIVE CENTER CONDUCTOR. CIRCUIT WAS FUSED AT 10 AMPS WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE BLOWN, POST FIRE. NO INJURIES, NO DAMAGE TO PERSONAL GOODS, DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO CIGARETTE LIGHTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS POORLY DESIGNED.
NHTSA complaint #10146075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesDurham, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 VW PASSAT TDI. THE CAR HAD A "TV-12" RECALL, IN WHICH THE ECM AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS, THE ECM WENT OUT AGAIN, AND VW "REFUSES" TO LIVE UP TO THE WARRANTY. 2) FAILURE OF THIS, DOES NOT DIMINISH IT'S "CRUSING" CAPACITY DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO POWER TO PASS SAFELY, AND MUCH LOSS OF POWER, WHEN ENTERING THE 'EXITS'. CONSEQUENTLY, A VERY POSSIBLE SITUATION RESULTS TO HAVE A TERRIBLE CRASH. VW KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND ONLY FIXES IT WHEN "THE CUSTOMER COMPLAINS". 3) THE ORIGINAL INTAKE WAS REPLACED, AND ECM. HOWEVER, VW WILL NOT PUT A 'NEW' ECM IN, RATHER, THEY PUT IN A "REBUILT" ONE. THIS IS PRONE TO HUMAN ERROR, AND THAT'S WHY MINE FAILED WITHIN FIVE (5) TO SIX (6) MONTHS. IT 'GOES OUT' CONSTANTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10135753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 295,950 milesSAN Antonio, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1. IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. 2. CAUSED LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND TEMPORARY ENGINE FAILURE. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DAMAGE. 3. REPLACED ELECTRICAL PORTION OF IGNITION SWITCH, HEADLIGHT RELAY.
NHTSA complaint #10119417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesCarmel, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH AND HEADLIGHTS PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD THE HEADLIGHTS JUST TURNED OFF, AND CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO WIGGLE THE IGNITION TO GET THE LIGHTS TO TURN BACK ON. CURRENTLY, MANUFACTURER WAS RECALLING VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE HAD AN EXCESS OF 125,000 MILES IT WAS 25,000 MILES PAST THE CUT OFF POINT. *AK ALSO, HEADLIGHTS WILL SOMETIMES GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A DEFINITIVE RECALL WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMITATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10103729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesNorfolk, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I PURCHASED A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VR6 AT CHECKERED FLAG BMW IN JUNE 2004, AND SINCE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE. FIRST, THE AIR CONDITIONER( A/C) QUIT WORKING, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE AC STARTED WORKING FOR A DAY, THEN BLEW A CHEMICAL CLOUD INTO THE VEHICLE, WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY EYES WERE BURNING (AS WELL AS MY FACE) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. FINALLY, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THERE'S A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. MAY I SUGGEST THAT WE REMOVE ALL VW'S FROM AMERICA'S STREETS? THEY ARE A TOTAL MENACE TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THEM! I WENT TO CHECKERED FLAG VW, TO HAVE IT SERVICED, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE 89 DOLLARS A PROBLEM, JUST TO LOOK, THEN THEY SAID I COULD TRADE IT FOR A NEW ONE. WHY WOULD I WANT A NEW ONE? I DON'T NEED TO TRADE AN OLD PROBLEM FOR A NEW, MORE EXPENSIVE ONE, I JUST WANT A RELIABLE WORK VEHICLE, AND I WISH I HAD STUCK TO MY GUNS AND BOUGHT ANOTHER PRELUDE. THIS THING WILL SEE THE CRUSHER WHEN I'M DONE PAYING IT OFF! FOUR PROBLEMS IN NOT SO MANY MONTHS. ONLY ANOTHER VW OWNER WOULD KNOW THAT KIND OF FRUSTRATION!
NHTSA complaint #10093585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesNorfolk, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I PURCHASED A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VR6 AT CHECKERED FLAG BMW IN JUNE 2004, AND SINCE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE. FIRST, THE AIR CONDITIONER( A/C) QUIT WORKING, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE AC STARTED WORKING FOR A DAY, THEN BLEW A CHEMICAL CLOUD INTO THE VEHICLE, WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY EYES WERE BURNING (AS WELL AS MY FACE) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. FINALLY, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THERE'S A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. MAY I SUGGEST THAT WE REMOVE ALL VW'S FROM AMERICA'S STREETS? THEY ARE A TOTAL MENACE TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THEM! I WENT TO CHECKERED FLAG VW, TO HAVE IT SERVICED, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE 89 DOLLARS A PROBLEM, JUST TO LOOK, THEN THEY SAID I COULD TRADE IT FOR A NEW ONE. WHY WOULD I WANT A NEW ONE? I DON'T NEED TO TRADE AN OLD PROBLEM FOR A NEW, MORE EXPENSIVE ONE, I JUST WANT A RELIABLE WORK VEHICLE, AND I WISH I HAD STUCK TO MY GUNS AND BOUGHT ANOTHER PRELUDE. THIS THING WILL SEE THE CRUSHER WHEN I'M DONE PAYING IT OFF! FOUR PROBLEMS IN NOT SO MANY MONTHS. ONLY ANOTHER VW OWNER WOULD KNOW THAT KIND OF FRUSTRATION!
NHTSA complaint #10093585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCary, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
NUMEROUS OCASSIONS MY PASSAT WILL "SHUT DOWN" WHILE DRIVING. LOSE ALL POWER, A/C, HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER POWER RELATED ITEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE BEING HIT, OR HITTING SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #10072811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCary, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NUMEROUS OCASSIONS MY PASSAT WILL "SHUT DOWN" WHILE DRIVING. LOSE ALL POWER, A/C, HEADLIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND NUMEROUS OTHER POWER RELATED ITEMS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BEFORE BEING HIT, OR HITTING SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #10072811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesSalem, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER STAED THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDS REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #10073359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,003 milesSAN Rafael, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
LIGHTS, WIPERS AND HEATER FAN LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE, FIXING THE PROBLEM. THE IGNITION SWITCH PART NUMBER AS LISTED ON THE INVOICE (6NO-905-865) IS SIMILAR, IF NOT IDENTICAL, TO PART NUMBER 357-905-865 THAT FAILS IN THE 1996 VW PASSAT & JETTA, A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS
NHTSA complaint #10019185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.