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1995 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Volkswagen Passat do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 19 of 93 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.

  • Visibility. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 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 reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

93 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE IGNITION AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE.TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10001082

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

FOUR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE, ONLY FROM INSIDE. DOORS ARE POWER OPERATED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018819

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLANT IS LEAKING OUT ON TO GROUND, AND COOLANT IS RUNNING INTO CYLINDER BLOCK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897151

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineTires

RECEIVED A SAFETY ADVISORY LETTER FROM VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING FUEL TANK SYSTEM AND RIGHT REAR TIRE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE LETTER SHOULD BE CALLED A RECALL. PEOPLE MIGHT IGNORE IT BY BEING CALLED A SAFETY ADVISORY. PLEASE ADD VIN #*AK

NHTSA ODI #892863

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Visibility

THE REAR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE FAILED TO OPERATE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER REMOVING THE DOOR PANELS AND CHECKING THE WIRING FOR GOOD CONTACTS, THE WINDOWS WILL OPPERATE FOR A SHORT WHILE. I SEE THIS AS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONE MIGHT BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE AND UNABLE TO ESCAPE BY OTHER MEANS THA…

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THE REAR POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAVE FAILED TO OPERATE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER REMOVING THE DOOR PANELS AND CHECKING THE WIRING FOR GOOD CONTACTS, THE WINDOWS WILL OPPERATE FOR A SHORT WHILE. I SEE THIS AS A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT ONE MIGHT BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE AND UNABLE TO ESCAPE BY OTHER MEANS THAN THE WINDOW. IF YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW, YOU CAN'T ESCAPE. MY KIDS RIDE BACK THERE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745435

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Visibility

ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW STUCK IN DOWN POSITION. VEHICLE BROUGH TO AUTO-GLASS SHOP TO REPAIR. INTERIOR DOOR PANEL REMOVED FOR REPAIR. CAUSE OF DAMAGE WAS A WIRE BUNDLE THAT HAD RUBBED AGAINST A SHARP METAL EDGE ON INTERIOR OF DOOR. TWO WIRES WERE EXPOSED AND WERE ARCHING TO THE DOOR WHEN THE WINDOW BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THESE SPARKS…

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ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW STUCK IN DOWN POSITION. VEHICLE BROUGH TO AUTO-GLASS SHOP TO REPAIR. INTERIOR DOOR PANEL REMOVED FOR REPAIR. CAUSE OF DAMAGE WAS A WIRE BUNDLE THAT HAD RUBBED AGAINST A SHARP METAL EDGE ON INTERIOR OF DOOR. TWO WIRES WERE EXPOSED AND WERE ARCHING TO THE DOOR WHEN THE WINDOW BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THESE SPARKS ARE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745367

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Visibility

CONSUMER WINDOW MECHANISMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE, AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOWS EITHER DO NOT MOVE UP/DOWN OR COME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #883817

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS DASH WARNING LITE FIRST INDICATED IN APR 2000. OWNERS MANUAL CALLS FOR SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE. INITIALLY NOTIFIED VW CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS LOCAL GERMAN CAR SHOP REPAIR ALERTED ME TO POSSIBLE RECALLS. VW CONSUMER AFFAIRS (800) 822-8987 INDICATED NO OPEN RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.…

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ABS DASH WARNING LITE FIRST INDICATED IN APR 2000. OWNERS MANUAL CALLS FOR SERVICE AT AUTHORIZED VW SERVICE. INITIALLY NOTIFIED VW CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS LOCAL GERMAN CAR SHOP REPAIR ALERTED ME TO POSSIBLE RECALLS. VW CONSUMER AFFAIRS (800) 822-8987 INDICATED NO OPEN RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. GERMAN CAR EXPERT REPAIR, LASLO'S AUTO REPAIR-WOODBRIDGE, VA ATTEMPTED TO TROUBLE SHOOT VIA ONBOARD COMPUTER BUT NO DEFECT CODES WERE DISPLAYED. LASLO'S CLEANED ALL ABS WHEEL SENSORS AND DID FRONT BRAKE JOB TO TRY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. ABS LITE REMAINED ON. AGAIN CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA TO REPORT CONCERN, THEY REFERRED ME TO KAREN RADLEY VW, WOODBRIDGE, VA. RADLEY SERVICE ADVISOR HAD TECHNICIAN CHECK FOR ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM FAULT CODES RELATIVE TO THE ABS BUT NONE WERE FOUND. RADLEY TECH RESET COMPUTER BUT ABS WARNING LITE AGAIN ILLUMINATED ON DASH. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2000. AS ABS LITE HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, I AGAIN REQUESTED VW OF AMERICA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE. STILL NO WORD ON OPEN SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS AFFECTING THE ABS SYSTEM. THROUGH THE CONTINUED EFFORTS OF THE KAREN RADLEY DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP, MR MATT BUCKLEY, VW REGIONAL SENIOR TECHNICAL SPECIALIST (OTS IN VW-SPEAK)CALLED IN FOR ASSISTANCE. I LEFT VEHICLE @ RADLEY FOR ONE DAY--4JAN01, HOWEVER, VW REGIONAL OTS WAS A "NO SHOW". I RESCHEDULED THRU MR BUCKLEY AT RADLEY FOR JAN 29, 2001. OTS CHECKED ALONG W/ RADLEY TECH BUT COULD FIND NO FAULT. EVENTUALLY, AFTER THREE MORE DAYS OF TROUBLE SHOOTING ALL POSSIBLE PROBLEMS, THE TECH NOTES THAT ONE OF THE ABS SYSTEM VALVE IN INOPERATIVE AND THE ABS MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AS THAT MODULE WAS REPLACED THE ABS DASH BOARD LITE IN NOW OFF. MY CONCERN IS THE LACK OF ASSISTANCE FROM VW OF AMERICA, AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. IT SHOULD BE APPARENT THAT THE ABS SYSTEM, BEING A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE CAR'S OVERALL SAFETY SYSTEMS, SHOULD BE A HIGH PRIORITY MATTER. VW NEVER ONCE INITIATED CONTACT WITH ME, ALL COMMUNICATI.

NHTSA ODI #740615

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

OUTDOOR LATCHES BROKE, MUST ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO OPEN DOORS TO GET IN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #739621

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHLE DRIVING DOWN A HILL BRAKES FAILED DUE TO AN UNCLEANED SENSOR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING, AND IT WAS A FAILED/ SAFE SYSTEM, REGUALR BRAKES DID NOT KICK IN , TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #876549

Official recalls

1

95V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Sep 20, 1995

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.

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

2

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.