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1995 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 93 owner complaints about the 1995 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

64
CarFlaw IndexSolid year44% below the Passat median · #20 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints937 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage138kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 14, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1995 Volkswagen Passat has problems

93 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
Visibility203
Engine and engine cooling191
Electrical system150
Service brakes, hydraulic111
Power train100
Latches/locks/linkages90
Structure60
Exterior lighting50
Suspension50
9 other systems262

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

1 recall

1995 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

1995 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
NHTSA crash tests

1995 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings

1995 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1995 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 visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

HEATER CORE "DOORS " MELTED FROM THE R TYPE ANTIFREEZE BREAKING DOWN TO AN ACID. THIS CAUSE THE HEATERCORE TO BREAK, ANTIFREEZE ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTS AND ALSO ODDLY ENOUGH FILLED THE GAUGE CLUSTER WITH STEAM FOGGING THE CLUSTER. IT'S $800 FOR A REPLACEMENT SO I BOUGHT A FITTING AND SOME…
Complaint 10255023 · Jan 14, 2009 · 165,000 miles
95 PASSAT HEATER CORE RUPTURE FILLING THE VEHICLE CABIN WITH HOT RADIATOR FLUID AND STEAM. WINDSHIELD BECAME COATED WITH ANTI-FREEZE SOLUTION THAT JUST SMEARED AND COULD NOT BE WIPED OFF. VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD INTO THE DITCH. I WILL BYPASS THE HEATER CORE FOR I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT…
Complaint 10151853 · Mar 6, 2006 · 142,900 miles
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE VENTS STARTED STEAMING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTICS TEST, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE HEATER CORE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
Complaint 10144473 · Dec 5, 2005 · 134,000 miles

Own a 1995 Passat?

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