Known Recalls

Model year record

1988 Volkswagen Passat

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V115000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
8,100
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-01
Owners notified
1996-10-10

Defect description

IN THE EVENT THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED CONTINUOUSLY IN THAT CONDITION, THE COOLANT PRESSURE WILL RISE TO A LEVEL AT WHICH THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD LEAK.

Safety risk

A LEAKING HEAT EXCHANGER WILL ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER'S FEET OR COULD STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAT EXCHANGER ON THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.