Known Recalls

Model year record

1993 Volkswagen Passat

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 90 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V178000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
34,000
Reported to NHTSA
1995-09-20
Owners notified
1995-11-29

Defect description

IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.

Safety risk

A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V118000

Suspension: front

Component
Suspension: front
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
1,200
Reported to NHTSA
1993-07-14
Owners notified
1993-08-26

Defect description

LOCK NUTS USED TO HOLD THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES TO THE SUSPENSION STRUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THE LOCK NUTS MAY BREAK AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE SUSPENSION STRUTS.

Safety risk

SEPARATION OF THE AXLE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL TOTHE SIDE OF THE SEPARATION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE LOCK NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V058000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
358,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-04-14
Owners notified
1992-05-22

Defect description

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core13107,387 mi
Electrical system: ignition6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system488,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan495,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Exterior lighting: fog lights4151,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings495,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch2—
Engine and engine cooling2103,000 mi
Tires2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Suspension: front1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1150,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—

The 1992 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1994 model has 3 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.