no report yet
Ignition: switch
Risk. IF SUCH FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE AT NIGHT OR IN RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
1996 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 40 owner complaints about the 1996 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 6, 2015. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Volkswagen Passat has problems
40 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
14Electrical system
12Visibility2 crash/fire/injury
5Engine and engine cooling
5Latches/locks/linkages1 crash/fire/injury
3Exterior lighting
2Vehicle speed control
2Power train
1Service brakes, hydraulic
1Structure
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 |
| Visibility | 12 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1996 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.
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
1996 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
1996 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings
1996 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
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1996 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.
- LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERSLed to recall 02V-256
- FUEL TANK PUNCTURELed to recall 02V-026
- LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCUREDNo recall
- FUEL TANK PUNCTURENo recall
In owners' words
What Passat owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 1996 VW PASSAT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH SHUT DOWN THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V256000 I WAS INFORMED BY VW CUSTOMER SERVICE THIS RECALL DIDN'T APPLY TO MY VIN#, DESPITE IT BEING A 1996 PASSAT. I THINK…
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START SOMETIMES AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V256000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT…
Own a 1996 Passat?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.