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1997 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →
37Owner complaints

Model-year median: 110

0Recall campaigns

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2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
25
199493
199540
199637
1997331
1998664
1999507
2000
Compare all Passat years →

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

What owners reported most

Visibility
16Electrical System
13Engine And Engine Cooling
7Latches/locks/linkages
4Equipment
3
All reported categories
Structure
3Exterior Lighting
2Unknown Or Other
2Air Bags
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seat Belts
1Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

32 reports with mileage · 5 unknown

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 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
125,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 …

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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. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103729

97,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Exterior LightingVisibility

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT IN INCLEMENT CONDITIONS HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER STATED, IF HE MOVED THE KEY BACK AND FORTH IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD COME BACK ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103703

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.