1990 Volkswagen Passat
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Passat › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Volkswagen Passat. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1990 Volkswagen Passat. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the heat exchanger on these vehicles.
The venturi tube located in the throttle valve housing can become loose and fall against the throttle plate.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Replace the press-fit venturi tube with a thread type tube.
Owner complaints
34 complaints3 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Hi I purchased a 1990 VW passat the vin # IS [xxx] .... the heater core blew on this vehicle, I by passed the hoses 2 stop the heater core from leaking, it smelled like syrup and visibility was bad if I had to use the windshield defogger , I have recently heard of this recall and checked your…
Hi I purchased a 1990 VW passat the vin # IS [xxx] .... the heater core blew on this vehicle, I by passed the hoses 2 stop the heater core from leaking, it smelled like syrup and visibility was bad if I had to use the windshield defogger , I have recently heard of this recall and checked your site and saw that this recall I heard about was true. So next I went to the volkswagen dealer(jack daniels, located in fair lawn nj). I gave him the vin # and he said there weren't any recalls on this vehicle. I don't know what I do next so if you can help me out thanks. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Wife was driving along when all of a sudden, heater core burst, filling interior of car with hot coolant and steam. Her vision was obstructed by the steam on the inside of the windshield and he had to bring the car to a complete stop in traffic. My daughter, who was in the passenger seat, had some…
Wife was driving along when all of a sudden, heater core burst, filling interior of car with hot coolant and steam. Her vision was obstructed by the steam on the inside of the windshield and he had to bring the car to a complete stop in traffic. My daughter, who was in the passenger seat, had some coolant spill onto her shoe. Voa has issued a recall on this exact part before on other serial number ranges and other models, but for some reason, they claimed my vin was outside of recall criteria, even though the same exact part suffered the same exact failure.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Recall 96v115000: the vehicle did not have any heat, the vehicle was checked and the dealer found a faulty heating core. The manufacturer was aware of the problem and indicated that there was a recall on the heater core, but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak *sc *jb
- Electrical system · Power train › Automatic transmission
Many electrical problems: power windows, ignition switch, passenger side passive seat belt, automatic transmission intermittently will not shift into 4TH gear (turn key of and on to reset transmission). finally, the engine compartment caught fire appears to be electrical causing wide-ranging damage to hood and other engine components. *jb
- Electrical system · Power train › Automatic transmission
Many electrical problems: power windows, ignition switch, passenger side passive seat belt, automatic transmission intermittently will not shift into 4TH gear (turn key of and on to reset transmission). finally, the engine compartment caught fire appears to be electrical causing wide-ranging damage to hood and other engine components. *jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm · Suspension › Rear
The right ball joints and sway bars had to be replaced at low mileage. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Recall 96 v 115 000/engine cooling system: vehicle experienced overheating in which coolant / steam was coming into vehicle. manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not part of recall due to vin. *ak heating core failed and leaked through the vents. the consumer's vehicle was excluded from repair while the same failures as in the recall occured. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Water pump failed and engine overheated. Currently, there IS a leak. *ak
- Tires
On two separate occasions (03/11/00 and 07/03/00) I was travelling at a speed in excess of 75 mph and heard a sudden snap coming from one of my tires. however, the sound was very much like the sound when something gets caught underneath the car momentarily while passing over it. the first…
On two separate occasions (03/11/00 and 07/03/00) I was travelling at a speed in excess of 75 mph and heard a sudden snap coming from one of my tires. however, the sound was very much like the sound when something gets caught underneath the car momentarily while passing over it. the first occasion involved the left front tire, the second involved the right rear tire. on both occasions I was able to pull over safely to the side of the road. on each occasion I found the tire's tread separated from the rest of the tire, leaving the steel belt underneath totally exposed. both incidents involved the same model of firestone tire, the firehawk SS10. the affected tires remained completely inflated, so had I not pulled over to the side of the road after the initial snap, I wouldn't have noticed that something was wrong. I fear that if I had not pulled over immediately, I may have been involved in an accident when the rest of the tread separated from the tire, perhaps only a few miles down the road. I now have 3 new bridestone tires on my car and fear for my safety.( dot number: tire size: p215/60r14 )
- Power train › Automatic transmission
We did not realize other owners had the same problems with this model year until we read your reports.we did not contact the manufacture because we thought our problems may be one of a few. Others are "hard start, rough/hunting at idle ,harsh engagement & finally no 4TH gear shift. *Ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Recall number 96v115000; consumer was not notified of the recall failure. consumer contacted the dealer, dealer stated consumer's vehicle was not included in recall due to vin. *ak *ML
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Suspension › Front · Suspension › Front › Macpherson strut · Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
Spring struts and strut mounts failed. Yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The engine stalls when I apply quick brakes at 50 mph. Also, when I leave the highway, reducing vehicle speec to 30 mph, upon applying braking the engine frequently stalls. This IS an dangerous driving condition which can cause accident/crash. This also happens when I apply quick brakes at 30 mph.…
The engine stalls when I apply quick brakes at 50 mph. Also, when I leave the highway, reducing vehicle speec to 30 mph, upon applying braking the engine frequently stalls. This IS an dangerous driving condition which can cause accident/crash. This also happens when I apply quick brakes at 30 mph. the lack of vaccum present due to engine stalling causes the power brakes to fail, requiring excessive foot pressure and emergency brakes engagement in order to stop the vehicle. This vehicle had an recent tune-up without any success to the problem*ak.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer was driving at 30 mph and noticed smoke coming from the engine due to the oil top being left off which caused anit-freeze fluid to leak onto the engine. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
No summary included for this vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Power train › Manual transmission · Visibility › Windshield
Transmission some time fly back into third gear when on the freeway, turn engine off and restart, everythings fine.
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
When consumer started the heater ventilation the vehicle was so hot inside that glass windows were foggy, and the temperature was very hot. Consumer couldn't drive in that situation. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Engine overheats, causing the coolant pressure to rise, resulting in leakage. *ak
- Seat belts
Frayed cable cable caused passenger side passive restraint mechanism not to fully retract.
- Seat belts
Consumer noticed passenger's front side automatic seat belt does not lock in place all the way, also it moves by itself; becomes loose from top retractor . Makes noise, over night draines battery. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
The heater core leaked inside car, causing burn injury to driver.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Head gasket leaks, allowing oil to run onto exhaust manifold and burns, causing carbon monoxide fumes to ente rvehicle; also, heat exhanger leaks, causing odor to enter passenger compartment. Could result in injury to driver's feet or fog up windshield.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The heater exchanger leaks and oder enters passenger compartment. this leak could cause injury to the driver's feet or cause the windshield to fog over, increasing the risk of an accident.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket leaks allow oil to run onto the exhaust manifold and burn, causing carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. there IS also a risk of fire in the engine compartment.
- Power train › Axle hubs
Long axle metal donut outside diamond press, glued to hub, pressed on shaft from the differential, slid down and wedged in the front wheel axle pivot. see enclosed video. *Ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026848Volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. Heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged, replaced.
- 53604Conditions with engine intermittently will not start.
Every Volkswagen Passat model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.