1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

3 recalls, 90 complaints - 17 TSBs

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Defect Description

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

Consequence

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.

34,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Defect Description

LOCK NUTS USED TO HOLD THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AXLES TO THE SUSPENSION STRUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THE LOCK NUTS MAY BREAK AND CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE AXLE FROM THE SUSPENSION STRUTS.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE AXLE CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO PULL TOTHE SIDE OF THE SEPARATION AND RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE LOCK NUTS.

1,200 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Defect Description

THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION RAIL ON THE ENGINE MAY SHRINK BEYOND THE CLAMP FORCE OF THE FUEL HOSE CLAMPS, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE IF THE FUEL COMES IN CONTACT WITH A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL AND INSTALL A NEW SPRING TYPE SELF-TIGHTENING CLAMP.

358,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Complaint Statistics

90 total complaints 8 crashes 10 fires 5 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE	13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS	4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM	4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	4

Incident date: Sep 10, 2006

HEATER CORE BAD IN 1993 VW GLX, VERY COMMON IN MY EXPERIENCE. *TR

Incident date: Jul 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEAKS AT THE END OF THE HOSE AND HE SMELLED GAS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RUN AS EFFECTIVELY WHEN THE FUEL BEGAN LEAKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILE... Read more

Incident date: Jun 4, 2006

FRONT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO POWER, MUST USE EMERGENCY BELTS. *JB

Incident date: May 10, 2006

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT. FOUND TWO RECALLS REFERRING TO THESE TWO PROBLEMS. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL LETTERS FROM MANUFACTURER. *JB

Incident date: May 10, 2006

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT. FOUND TWO RECALLS REFERRING TO THESE TWO PROBLEMS. NEVER RECEIVED RECALL LETTERS FROM MANUFACTURER. *JB

Incident date: Nov 1, 2004

FAULTY HEATER CORES/HEATER EXCHANGERS LOCATED BEHIND THE DASHBOARD IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM. HEATER CORE LEAKED. *BF ANTI FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AROUND THE FEET OF THE PASSENGER. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. RECALL# 98V295000. *SC

Incident date: Sep 12, 2004

TURN ON AIR CONDITIONER, OR HEATER, AND A STEAM OF ANTIFREEZE COATS WINDSHIELD, AND IT GETS COMPLETELY FOGGED OVER TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT SEE. HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. 1993, PASSAT GLX. VR6. *AK

Incident date: Dec 21, 2003

LETTER CONCERNING THE MANNER IN WHICH VOLKSWAGEN CHOOSE TO HANDLE A RECENT FAILURE ON THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE. (NAR) *PH WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER VEHICLE HEATER CORE EXPLODED. *CB

Incident date: May 6, 2004

VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN STEAM STARTED COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP. HOT ANTI FREEZE LEAKED IN AND SCORCHED THE DRIVER'S FEET. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE HEATER CORE CAME APART AT THE SEAM. *AK *JB

1 injured

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *MR

Incident date: Dec 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT ROUGHLY 25 MPH, HEATER CORE FAILED. INTERIOR OF VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN FILLING WITH FOUL SMELLING DENSE SMOKE, AND WINDOWS BECAME COATED WITH A FILM. DRIVER QUICKLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS EASY AS WE WERE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 5, 1993

THE LEFT FOG LIGHT STARTED SMOKING, AND THEN ON FIRE. I WAS SITTING INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CLEANING IT. THE LIGHTS WERE ON, INCLUDING THE FOG LIGHTS. I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC, AND DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT FIRST, IT GOT WORSE, SO I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE OF... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Sep 9, 2003

WHILE DRIVING HEATER CORE WAS STEAMING THE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: Oct 1, 2001

THE POWER WINDOWS OPERATE BY THEMSELVES-NEED TO PULL FUSE TO STOP THIS, BUT THEN THEY ARE NOT OPERABLE AT ALL--THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN TERMS OF ESCAPE FROM VEHICLE, AND IS VERY INCONVENIENT FROM A VENTILATION STAND POINT. THE ENGINE STALLS WHEN CORNERING AND BRAKING, CREATING VERY DANG... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 2001

Incident date: Mar 15, 2001

LEAKAGE OF HOT ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED IN THE VEHICLES PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSED MINOR BURNS TO DRIVER'S LOWER LEG AREA. ADDITIONALLY, STEAM FROM THIS EVENT FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THIS EVENT REQUIRED THE DRIVER TO EXE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 29, 2002

AFTER DRIVING FROM CT TO WASH, D.C., I WAS PARKING MY 1993 VW PASSAT. I HEARD A "POP" SOUND, AND IN < 5 SECONDS, THE CAR FILLED WITH ANTIFREEZE STEAM & SCALDING ANTIFREEZE POURED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE COMPARTMENT. AS THE CAR WAS NEARLY PARKED, WE WERE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR. I TOOK MY CAR TO ... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Mar 21, 2002

WAS DRIVING 25MPH WHEN FILM STARTED DEVELOPING ON WINDOWS. DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD. HAD SMELLED ANTIFREEZE INSIDE VEHICLE. DROVE TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT HEATER CORE HAD FAILED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK, WHICH CAUSED THE FILM ON WINDOWS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Incident date: Dec 13, 2001

THE HEATER COIL BLEW AND CAUSED THE CAR TO RAPIDLY FILL UP WITH STEAM TO THE POINT THAT DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT ANY WINDOWS. DRIVER WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE OF INERSTATE 285 IN THE ATLANTA AREA AND AMAZINGLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND JUMP OUT WITHOUT BEING KILLED. THIS FAILURE OF ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2001

115F DEGREE DAY. USED A/C. PARKED CAR. RETURN 15 MIN LATER. FLOOR/DASH/INSTRUMENTS WET/FOG/HOT.*AK

Incident date: Jul 12, 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, STEAM AND HOT ENGINE COOLANT FLUIDS STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTILATION SYSTEM, BURNING DRIVERS FEET AND LEGS, AND REDUCING VISIBILITY OUT OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND MADE REPAIRS TO HEATER CORE. THEN ON AUGUST 2, 2001, AIR CONDITIONING STARTED... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Jul 12, 2001

1 injured

Incident date: May 1, 2001

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. MECHANIC HAS ADVISED THAT AIR CONDITIONER'S WIRING MELTED AND GLUED TO EACH OTHER. A MINOR FIRE ERRUPTED, CAUSING MELTING. PLEASE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Jun 1, 1997

I HAD TWO BLOWOUTS OF THIS GOODYEAR EAGLE GA TOURING TIRE OVER A PERIOD OF 10 MONTHS DRIVING FREEWAY SPEED OF 70 WHEN ONE BLOWOUT OCCURRED AND 50 MPH WITH THE OTHER. EVEN THOUGH I ACCEPTED A SETTLEMENT OF $176.04 FROM GOODYEAR, THIS AMOUNT WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE COST OF ONE TIRE. I HAD 4 GOODY... Read more

Incident date: Aug 29, 2000

THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED AND FLOODED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH STEAM AND HOT COOLANT. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR HAD JUST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS OCCURED IN THE ONLY OTHER VW VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED, A 1986 JETTA GL. THAT VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I FIND IT VERY DIST... Read more

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED CONSUMER TO SMELLED GAS FUMES, MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NLM

Fire

Incident date: Oct 10, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTIFICATION (95V-178). *MJS

Incident date: Jan 1, 1999

CAR FAILS TO START WHEN TURNING IGNITION ON. TAKES REPEATED ATTEMPTS. REQUIRES UNLOCKING ADJUSTABLE STEEERING WHEEL AND 'THUMPING' THE WHEEL UP AND DOWN. OCCASIONALLY STARTS ON FIRST ATTEMPT, MOSTLY AFTER SEVERAL THUMPS. THREE TIMES TOOK OVER 45 MINUTES TO GET CAR STARTED. DEALER REPLACES STAR... Read more

Incident date: Mar 6, 1999

DRIVING TO AIRPORT THE TEMPERATOR INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON, FLASHING, AND THE HEATER CORE EXPLODED. INTERIOR OF THE CAR FILLED WITH DENSE WHITE VAPOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR ON THE ROAD/SHOULDER AND MY WIFE AND I EVACUATED. ROAD AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT WAS BASICLY CLEAR OF OTHER VEHICLES OTH... Read more

Incident date: Mar 6, 1999

PASSAGENGER CLOSED DOOR AND CLEARED HAIR FROM MOVING SEATBELT. LITTLE FINGER ON RIGHT HAND WAS CAUGHT IN THE SWIVEL AND THE TIP OF THE FINGER AND FINGER NAIL WERE TORN OFF. REQIRED 4 HOURS AT ER AND MONTHS TO HEAL. *AK

1 injured

Incident date: Jan 1, 1999

Incident date: Feb 7, 1999

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SMELLS OF GAS FUMES. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS COMING FROM THE FUEL HOSE, AND IT MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. *AK

Incident date: Sep 11, 1998

TIMING BELT FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND DESTROYED ALL THE VALVES. NLM

Incident date: Aug 30, 1999

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP BUT VEHICLE WON'T STOP. *AK

Incident date: Aug 27, 1999

WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING CONSUMER CAN SMELL FUMES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. WHEN CHECKING OUT THE PROBLEM, CONSUMER NOTICED A FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM THE DISTRIBUTION RAIL NEAR THE ENGINE BEYOUND THE CLAMP. *AK

TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

FOG LIGHTS BURNED A HOLE IN THE FINDER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident date: Aug 10, 1998

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY DUE A DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT AND RUINED ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 1998

TRANSMISSION/HEATER CORE/ FAN SWITCH AND ENGINE COOLING T SYSTEM WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND HESITATE. DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE/WATER PUMP ETC. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 1998

Incident date: Mar 15, 1996

IGNITION : FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS, INTERMITTENTLY, CAR WILL CONTINUE TO RUN AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND KEY IS REMOVED... BEEN TO 3 VW DEALERSHIPS 5 TIMES TOTAL. ABS BRAKES NEVER WORKED SINCE NEW, WOULDN'T STOP ON SNOW OR ICE LIKE OTHER ABS BRAKE SYSTEMS .. AFTER MANY COMPLAINTS FOR 4 YEARS... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 15, 1996

Crash

Incident date: Mar 15, 1996

Crash

Incident date: Mar 15, 1996

Crash

Incident date: Mar 15, 1996

Crash

Incident date: Mar 15, 1996

Crash

Showing 50 of 90 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Regular	$2,950
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	28.0	22.0	Regular	$2,800
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	15.0	22.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400
2.8L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	17.0	25.0	20.0	Regular	$3,100
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Regular	$2,950
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	16.0	23.0	18.0	Regular	$3,400

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

17 manufacturer communications from 13 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	6
350000 EQUIPMENT	5
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER	1
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	1
063000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM	1
161100 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS	1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
140000 AIR BAGS	1

350000 EQUIPMENT

The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.

350000 EQUIPMENT

VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide