Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 68 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports10 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
68 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN DECELERATING WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE ENGINE WOULD FALTER AND DIE, OFTEN LEAVING ME EXPOSED TO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC. ONCE THE CAR HAD COME TO A STOP IT COULD BE RESTARTED AND WOULD PERFORM PERFECTLY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN CONSTANTLY AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM IT WITH A ROAD TEST. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE MASS…
Read full complaint
WHEN DECELERATING WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE ENGINE WOULD FALTER AND DIE, OFTEN LEAVING ME EXPOSED TO ONCOMMING TRAFFIC. ONCE THE CAR HAD COME TO A STOP IT COULD BE RESTARTED AND WOULD PERFORM PERFECTLY. THIS WOULD HAPPEN CONSTANTLY AND THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO CONFIRM IT WITH A ROAD TEST. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND QUOTED A PRICE. WHILE CALLING AROUND FOR A REALISTIC PRICE I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM SOUNDED LIKE WATER WAS IN THE UNIT AND WAS SHORTING THINGS OUT. I OPENED THE UNIT AND FOUNG A TABLE SPOON OR SO OF WATER SLOSHING AROUND ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. EVERY TIME THE CAR DECELLERATED AND TURNED LEFT THE WATER WOULD MOVE OVER ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE SENSOR TO COMMAND A SHARP REDUCTION IN FUEL TO THE ENGINE. I DRAINED THE WATER AND DRIED IT OUT WITH A HAIR DRIER AND RE-SEALED THE BOX WITH RTV AND IT HAS PERFORMED FLAWLESLY. THE WATER APPEARS TO HAVE ENTERED THROUGH THE SENSOR PROBE OPENING AND NOT THROUGH THE COVER. I TOLD THE LOCAL VW SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY WERE UNINPRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #701174
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Fuel System, GasolineFire
92V05800; WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING, AND UNDERHOOD THE CABLES MELTED, AND THE HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN. VEHICLE HAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT/INTERIOR, AND MOTOR COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED BACK,. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY TO RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830761
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND OTHER CARS NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FOG LIGHTS OF THE CAR. PULLED VEHICLE OVER , TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND PUT THE FLAMES OUT. FIREMAN DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE CAME FROM THE FRONT LEFT FOG LIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826971
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE STARTED FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #825631
Mileage unknown · May 7, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT SMELLED STRONG ODOR. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #535495
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Electrical System
IGNITION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL DURING MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #531823
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Electrical System
IGNITION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL DURING MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #529541
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Electrical System
IGNITION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL DURING MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #529524
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 1997
Visibility
REPLACED BROKEN HEATER CORE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523495
Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 1997
Exterior Lighting
ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED FOG LIGHT REFLECTORS ARE INJECTION MOLDED PLACTIC. ONE FOG LIGHT BURNE DOUT AND ANOTHER PARTIALLY MELTED. *AK
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.
LOCK NUTS USED TO HOLD THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES TO THE SUSPENSION STRUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THE LOCK NUTS MAY BREAK AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE SUSPENSION STRUTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE AXLE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL TOTHE SIDE OF THE SEPARATION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.
THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
No summary supplied.
PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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.
PE99036 · Fog Lamp Fire
Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Oct 21, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
ALLEGED THAT THE FOG LAMP HOUSING CATCHES FIRE DURING USE
1993 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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