RoadVitals

1996 Volkswagen Passat Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Data refreshed

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Newest Sep 18, 2002
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
4 investigations on file

Recall campaigns

1 campaign cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Sep 18, 2002
10,450 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
The risk: IF SUCH FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE AT NIGHT OR IN RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INCManufacturer number WQView on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

EA00028ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Opened Dec 28, 2000
Closed Jan 29, 2002
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 02V026000
EA00020ClosedEngineering Analysis

LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Opened Aug 10, 2000
Closed Oct 9, 2002

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGLed to recall 02V256000
PE00033ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK PUNCTURE

Opened Aug 10, 2000
Closed Dec 28, 2000

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE00006ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LIGHTS AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPER OBSCURED

Opened Feb 2, 2000
Closed Aug 10, 2000

There is no summary currently available

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .