Known Recalls

Model year record

1994 Volkswagen Passat

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 36 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Seat belts3130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3—
Electrical system2130,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Power train1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Steering1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure1—
Suspension: front1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1110,000 mi

The 1993 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about a quarter 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.