1990 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

2 recalls — 50 complaints

96V115000 Jul 1, 1996
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAT EXCHANGER ON THESE VEHICLES.
8,100 vehicles affected
92V131000 Sep 15, 1992
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
12,650 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Dec 16, 2005
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 Sep 13, 2004
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 Oct 27, 2003
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 May 7, 2003
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
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 7, 2003
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
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 7, 2003
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
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 7, 2003
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
Fire
SUSPENSION:REAR May 21, 2002
THE RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND SWAY BARS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LOW MILEAGE. NLM
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM May 21, 2002
THE RIGHT BALL JOINTS AND SWAY BARS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT LOW MILEAGE. NLM
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Mar 29, 2001
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 Mar 29, 2001
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 Dec 13, 2000
WATER PUMP FAILED AND ENGINE OVERHEATED. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A LEAK. *AK
TIRES Sep 19, 2000
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 Aug 22, 2000
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 Jul 11, 2000
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 May 8, 2000
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED. YH
SUSPENSION:FRONT May 8, 2000
FRONT END VIBRATION CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR OUT AND WHEELS TO BEND. YH
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT May 8, 2000
CV JOINT FAILED. YH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING May 8, 2000
FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. YH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS May 8, 2000
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED. YH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT May 8, 2000
SPRING STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS FAILED. YH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Apr 18, 2000
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:GASOLINE Apr 18, 2000
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 Sep 30, 1999
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 Apr 4, 1999
NO SUMMARY INCLUDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Feb 24, 1999
FRONT PASSENGERS WINDOW CAME DOWN WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS CLOSED.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. Feb 24, 1999
RADIO PERFORMING POORLY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 24, 1999
TIMIMG BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Oct 20, 1998
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
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Jul 27, 1998
TRANSMISSION SOME TIME FLY BACK INTO THIRD GEAR WHEN ON THE FREEWAY, TURN ENGINE OFF AND RESTART, EVERYTHINGS FINE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS Jul 27, 1998
TIMING BELT BROKE AND DISTORYED THE ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Feb 12, 1998
ENGINE OVERHEATS, CAUSING THE COOLANT PRESSURE TO RISE, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. *AK
SEAT BELTS Dec 20, 1997
FRAYED CABLE CABLE CAUSED PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT MECHANISM NOT TO FULLY RETRACT.
SEAT BELTS Jun 30, 1997
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 Jun 27, 1997
THE HEATER CORE LEAKED INSIDE CAR, CAUSING BURN INJURY TO DRIVER.
1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 18, 1997
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Mar 18, 1997
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 Feb 18, 1997
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 18, 1997
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS Jan 2, 1997
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
SEAT BELTS Dec 31, 1996
VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT MOTOR RUNS CONTINUOUSLY, RUNS DOWN BATTERY, WILL NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE SHOULDER BELT; HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, THEY FAILTO REPAIR PROBLEM. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER Nov 5, 1996
HEAT CONTROLLED FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BEGAN HEATING W/SWITCH OFF. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY HOT IMMEDIATELY. ONCE PULLED OVER TO CHECK, COMPARTMENT FILLED W/SMOKE AND DRIVER'S COAT WAS ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Fire
SEAT BELTS Oct 21, 1996
UPON PURCHASING VEHICLE NEW, PASSIVE RESTRAINT SEAT BELTS FOR DRIVER GET STUCK MIDWAY W/MOTOR RUNNING. OWNER HAS TO DISCONNECT W/EMERGENCY RELEASE. *AK CONSUMER STATES HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT UNIT ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER WARRANTY , THE PASSENGER SIDE BELT KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN ITS CONTAINER AND WILL NOT UNRAVEL THERFORE CAUSING THE MOTOR TO WORK CONTINOUSLY UNTIL MANUALLY DISCONNECTED, AT ONE POINT THE BELT WAS STUCK MIDWAY IN TRACK AND THE MOTOR RAN ALL NIGHT AND KILLED A NEW BATTERY, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALESHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WORKS OKAY BUT THE NEXT TIME WILL NEED TO REPLACE MOTOR, CONSUMER CALLED MANUFACTURER AND SAID THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT WILL BE REPLACED FOR FREE BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE.*JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jun 24, 1996
TIMING BELT TENSIONER BEARING SEIZED, CAUSING DESTRUCTION OF TIMING BELT. *DH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jun 24, 1996
TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED ELECTRONIC FAILURE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE May 2, 1996
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY STALLS DUE TO FUEL SENDING UNIT/FUEL TRANSFER PUMP BREAKING UP/CLOGGING THE FUEL FILTER. *DSH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Feb 12, 1996
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR STOPPED WORKING. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jan 25, 1996
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR STOPPED WORKING . TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Aug 31, 1995
ABS:TOLD BY DEALER, ENTIRE ABS NEEDS REPLACING;ALIGNED, OWNER GOT AIR INTO SYSTEM WHILE CHANGING PADS, RUINED WHOLE SYSTEM;VOLKSWAGEN WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF.
SEAT BELTS Jun 8, 1995
PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS FAILED, THE BELTS STOPPED WORKING. TT