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1997 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 1997 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the visibility. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

80
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years76% below the Passat median · #24 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints375 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage126kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 7, 2012. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Volkswagen Passat has problems

37 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
Visibility161
Electrical system132
Engine and engine cooling71
Latches/locks/linkages40
Equipment30
Structure30
Exterior lighting20
Air bags10
Seat belts10
2 other systems20

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

0 recalls

1997 Volkswagen Passat recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 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

1997 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings

1997 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 1997 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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR HEADLIGHTS, THEY FAILED TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE…
Complaint 10240603 · Sep 2, 2008 · 60,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN TO BLOW HOT AIR. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED WATER LEAKING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. HE BELIEVES THAT THE HEATER CORE MAY HAVE FAILED. THE CURRENT AND…
Complaint 10230298 · Jun 9, 2008 · 157,000 miles
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 2007, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT, DENSE, NOXIOUS 'STEAM'/SMOKE BEGAN TO COME OUT OF ALL VENTS AND AROUND THE DASH AREA IN MY WELL-MAINTAINED VOLKSWAGEN. HOT COOLANT ALSO LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY PASSAT ON THE DRIVER'S…
Complaint 10204707 · Oct 2, 2007 · 115,500 miles

Own a 1997 Passat?

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