Model year record

1994 Volkswagen Passat recalls & problems

The 1994 Volkswagen Passat has 1 safety recall and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (10 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints25filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingSep 20, 1995

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 95V17800034,000 vehicles

Problem: IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
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.
Fix: 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.

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.

Fuel economy

Passat

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Passat

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Passat Wagon

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Passat Wagon

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Fan; Engine › Gasoline	10	0	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Wiring › Front underhood	6	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	4	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	4	0	—
Seat belts	3	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly	2	1	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly	2	0	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	2	0	—
Structure	1	0	—
SuspensionFront	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner 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
Oct 26, 2006 · 110,000 miles
Electrical system
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
Jun 15, 2004 · 130,000 miles
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 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…
Dec 1, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Apr 20, 2002
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
Mar 20, 2002
Power train
ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY, CONSUMER DOES NOT OWN THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. *SLC
Jul 6, 2001
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.
Mar 3, 2001
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
Oct 23, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK PUNCTUREClosedLed to recall 02V026000
EA00028 · opened Dec 28, 2000 · closed Jan 29, 2002
FUEL TANK PUNCTUREClosed
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.
PE00033 · opened Aug 10, 2000 · closed Dec 28, 2000