Model year record

1990 Volkswagen Passat

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 50 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V131000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
12,650
Reported to NHTSA
1992-09-15
Owners notified
1993-06-11

Defect description

THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.

Safety risk

THE VENTURI TUBE CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK THE THROTTLE PLATEAND PREVENT IT FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION, RESULTING IN UNWANTEDENGINE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine7
Power train: automatic transmission5179,000 mi
Seat belts5
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core578,964 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4146,000 mi
Electrical system2179,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Tires1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1991 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.