Model year record
The 1992 Volkswagen Passat has 1 safety recall and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (18 complaints).
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
| City / highway | 18 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
| City / highway | 18 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
| City / highway | 18 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 18 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery | 8 | — |
| VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Defroster/defogger/hvac system | 8 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch | 7 | — |
| Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers | 4 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Master cylinder | 4 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlCables | 4 | — |
| SuspensionFront | 2 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly | 2 | — |
| Exterior lightingTurn signal | 1 | — |
| Service brakes, airSupply | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkagesTrunk lid › Lock | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
THROTTLE CABLE MELTS THEN IT JAMS, USUALLY IN A HIGH REVVING POSITION. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 NEW THROTTLE CABLES, EACH TIME THEY MELT AND STICK. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HEATER CORE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT WHITE STEAM FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER. *AK *NM
HEAT EXCHANGER (CORE) LEAKED WHILE DRIVING, STEAMING UP THE VEHICLE INTERIOR TO IMPAIR VISIBILITY. HOT COOLANT LEAKED INTO PASSENGER'S FOOT AREA. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ALREADY ISSUED RECALL # 96V115000. MY CAR IS 1992 VW PASSAT: [XXX]. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING GAS AND FUMES BEGAN EMITTING FROM VENTS CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG ELIMINATING CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT HAD A BROKEN HEATER CORE. TS
HEATING SYSTEM SMELLS OF ANTIFREEZE WHEN USING FRONT VENTS AND DEFROST. 2 - 3 FAN SELECTION USED AND HEATER SET TO MEDIUM WARM SETTING ANTIFREEZE FUMES STARTED TO BLOWOUT, WHICH FOGGED FRONT WINDOW AND BREATHING IN HAZMAT ANTIFREEZE.*AK
THE ENGINE VALVES AND TIMING BELT FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *MJS
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MJS
WHEN IT'S COLD VEHICLE WILL START FAST AND RUN WELL. BUT AFTER CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP, PARKED AND STARTED AGAIN, IT'S HARD TO START. THEN, WHEN GOING DOWN THE STREET AND SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.