1994 Volkswagen Passat
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volkswagen › Passat › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Volkswagen Passat. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1994 Volkswagen Passat. Newest first.
Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
Risk and remedy
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.
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
25 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
94 volkswagen passat, 110K miles, experienced heater core failure, leaking 200 degree fluid onto floor of passenger compartment near gas/brake pedal and fogging over interior of windshield with sticky anti-freeze residue. *nm
- Electrical system · Seat belts
The passive restraint system causes the battery to drain. the seat belt switch built into the door causes the seat belt motor to run when the vehicle IS on off. the seat belt module was disconnected, rendering the vehicle without seat belts.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The consumer parked the vehicle and 45 minutes later smoke began to come from under the hood. The consumer took out the battery to stop vehicle from catching fire. the insurance company said the smoke was due to a faulty ignition switch. *nlm the ignition switch was repaired in dec. 2002 but…
The consumer parked the vehicle and 45 minutes later smoke began to come from under the hood. The consumer took out the battery to stop vehicle from catching fire. the insurance company said the smoke was due to a faulty ignition switch. *nlm the ignition switch was repaired in dec. 2002 but was faulty. one week later the electrical burned. a letter was received from the dealer in re to extending the ignition switch warranty. smoke continued to pour out of the ignition area and from in between the driver and front passenger seats. the technician found an electrical part of the ignition switch burnt(#15 wire). the ABS light stayed on due to a failed ABS pump. the consumer requested reimbursement in re to the ignition problem. *sc
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
When engine gets hot steam enters inside of vehicle which fogs up windows. Cause could not be identified. Dealer contacted. *Ak
- Power train
Odometer and speedometer did not work properly, consumer does not own this vehicle anymore. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Cooling fan had to be replaced not once, but twice within 5 years. I think the part was covered in a recall, but volkswagen could not tell me about the vehicle history.
- Electrical system › Ignition
The car cuts off at any given speed without any notice including on a freeway. this IS very dangerous and I am afraid to drive my car.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While traveling and without any indication brakes will fail without being depressing. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
With the transmsiion failing it could be a serious problem, especially at the speed that I was going at the appromimate time of failure. An accident almost occured due to the violnet lunging back and forth from the defective transmission. Obviously there IS a problem with volkswagens transmissions.…
With the transmsiion failing it could be a serious problem, especially at the speed that I was going at the appromimate time of failure. An accident almost occured due to the violnet lunging back and forth from the defective transmission. Obviously there IS a problem with volkswagens transmissions. This problem needs to be addressed promptly by volkswagen before fatalities do occur. The transmission should have not failed at such an early time.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
The fan motor shaft seized, rendering the fan motor inoperable. vehicle was repaired under a recall. However, the problem reoccurred. dealer has since repaired the vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Electrical components failed, including speedometer, temp gauge, and transmission indicator. engine failed to start intermittently.
- Seat belts
Automatic seat belt on both driver's and passenger's sides will retract suddenly, causing loss of protection in case of accident. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling
The engine quits at all speeds without warning or indication and will not restart immediately, creating hazardous traffic conditions. the problem IS most apparent after automatic engagement of the cooling fan.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed.
- Electrical system · Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Vehicle has had three batteries within a four year period.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Steering
Going uphill, making left turn at about 10 mph, vehicle became inoperative/stalled, causing the steering to lock up, almost resulting in an accident. intermittent problem. Dealer cannot reproduce defect. *ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Tie rod end wore out, causing vehicle to make noise when turning corners.
- Fuel system, gasoline
Defective fuel line clamps cause underhood fuel lines to leak allowing fumes to enter passanger compartment.
- Structure · Suspension › Front
Structure of vehicle causes tire damage/blow outs.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Consumer states that while driving vehicle cuts off giving no indication .
- Seat belts
Drivers side motorbelt fails intermittently.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Consumer states that recall work was performed in april and since that time vehicle has been cutting off and not starting properly. fixed under recall 95v178000, cooling system:fan. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle burst into flames while driving due to gas tank fluid leakage.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Antilock brakes failed 2 times. *Sd
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel tank puncture
- Fuel tank puncture
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.
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.
- 10213836Airbag Issues.
- 10159010The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10157383VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10155644This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10128105This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128104This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, ElsaPro infomedia icons grayed out, workshop equipment tool storage application, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and suggestions.
- 10128055This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10125848Passat Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
- 10125762Passat Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections: A checklist to insure a customer receives a wonderful delivery of a vehicle that looks, feels, and meets the expectations of a new vehicle that he/she has purchased
- 10124454Assembly Instructions: Installation of original remote start feature accessory, Volkswagen Passat.
- 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.
- 53616Toothed belt runs towards outside, wears out/ jumps off, and cracks.
- 53604Conditions with engine intermittently will not start.
- 42010R-134a expansion valve noisy.
Every Volkswagen Passat model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.