Model year record

1995 Volkswagen Passat

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 142 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: engine: gasoline8
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch895,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls8175,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core7130,853 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system6115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission6
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip6
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan5163,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition4
Electrical system: ignition: switch4121,870 mi
Structure: body: door4
Electrical system387,491 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3175,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3
Vehicle speed control3
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2
Parking brake2165,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2108,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2165,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling1175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Equipment1175,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Latches/locks/linkages1165,000 mi
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1175,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1
Service brakes, electric1165,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1165,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: rack and pinion1110,000 mi
Structure1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1114,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires1
Tires: sidewall1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 1994 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. The 1996 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.