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1994 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 25 owner complaints about the 1994 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

88
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years86% below the Passat median · #30 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints251 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 1, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Volkswagen Passat has problems

25 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling90
Electrical system50
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Power train40
Seat belts30
Fuel system, gasoline21
Steering20
Visibility20
Structure10
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1994 Volkswagen Passat recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Cooling system: fan

Recall 95V-178 · Sep 20, 1995 · 34,000 vehicles

Risk. A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

1994 vs. every other Passat year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Passat median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREEA00028 · closed Jan 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-026
  2. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREPE00033 · closed Dec 28, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Passat owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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. *AK
Complaint 855859 · Feb 1, 2000
GOING UPHILL, MAKING LEFT TURN AT ABOUT 10 MPH, VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE/STALLED, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE DEFECT. *AK
Complaint 827819 · Sep 10, 1998
CONSUMER STATES THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN APRIL AND SINCE THAT TIME VEHICLE HAS BEEN CUTTING OFF AND NOT STARTING PROPERLY. FIXED UNDER RECALL 95V178000, COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. *AK
Complaint 802459 · Sep 16, 1996

Own a 1994 Passat?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.