TSB: VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON (1998–2010)

Bulletin V551611_2038993 — August 14, 2019

Bulletin Details

Bulletin IDV551611_2038993
ManufacturerVOLKSWAGEN
ModelsPASSAT WAGON
Model Years1998–2010
Date IssuedAugust 14, 2019
Date Added to NHTSASeptember 9, 2019
ComponentVISIBILITY
Vehicles Affected26 combinations

What is a TSB?

A Technical Service Bulletin is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to inform dealership technicians about a known issue and the recommended repair procedure. TSBs are not mandatory recalls — they serve as repair guidance for common problems.

If your vehicle has this issue, bring this bulletin ID to your dealer. If under warranty, the repair should be covered at no cost.

Summary

Original version accidently archived 8/9/19. Recreate exact content in new format and republish, as warranty policy still relevant to applicable later model years.

Affected Vehicles

MakeModelYearComponent
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2010 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2010 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2009 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2009 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2008 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2008 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2007 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2007 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2006 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2006 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2005 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2005 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2004 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2004 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2003 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2003 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2002 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2002 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2001 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2001 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2000 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 2000 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 1999 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 1999 160000 STRUCTURE
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 1998 130000 VISIBILITY
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON 1998 160000 STRUCTURE

Related VOLKSWAGEN Recalls

CampaignModelYearComponentSummary
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What Should You Do?

If your vehicle is affected by this TSB, contact your authorized VOLKSWAGEN dealer. Bring this bulletin ID (V551611_2038993) when you visit. If under warranty, the repair should be free. If your warranty has expired, ask about goodwill coverage — manufacturers sometimes cover TSB-related repairs beyond the warranty period.

Frequently Asked Questions

A recall is a mandatory safety fix — the manufacturer must repair every affected vehicle for free. A TSB is an advisory document that describes a known issue and the recommended fix, but repairs are not required. However, some TSBs eventually lead to recalls if the issue poses a safety risk. TSBs are generally issued for quality or performance problems, while recalls address safety defects.

If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer's warranty, TSB-related repairs are typically covered at no cost. If your warranty has expired, you can ask the dealer about goodwill or customer assistance programs. Many manufacturers will cover or partially cover repairs for well-known issues, especially if the TSB was issued recently or affects a large number of vehicles.

Check the make, model, and model year listed above against your vehicle. If they match, this bulletin likely applies. However, TSBs may only affect vehicles with specific production dates, VIN ranges, or configurations. Your dealer can confirm by entering your VIN into their service system, which will show all applicable TSBs and recalls.

This data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manufacturers are required to submit copies of all communications (including TSBs) sent to their dealers to NHTSA. The agency makes this data publicly available as part of its vehicle safety monitoring program.