1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
57
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
The 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has received a total of 57 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core (9 complaints), Electrical Systemignitionswitch (7 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, potentially affecting up to 42,540 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
57 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED SPONTANEOUSLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WIRES TO MELT AND THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE IGNITION WAS LOCATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF THE IGNITION AND LOCKING COMPONENTS WERE SERVICE, REPLACED AND REMOVED 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT TDI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED SPONTANEOUSLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WIRES TO MELT AND THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA WHERE THE IGNITION WAS LOCATED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE AREA OF THE IGNITION AND LOCKING COMPONENTS WERE SERVICE, REPLACED AND REMOVED 15 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE IGNITION.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR HEADLIGHTS, THEY FAILED TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR HEADLIGHTS, THEY FAILED TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE AND THE AIR CONDITIONING BEGAN TO BLOW HOT AIR. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED WATER LEAKING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. HE BELIEVES THAT THE HEATER CORE MAY HAVE FAILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 157,000.
View all Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
9806 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SUBJECT ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID ( ATF ), CHECKING 01 TRANSMISSION. *YC
9804 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUBJECT ON MAINTENANCE INTERVALS. *YC
9704109702F — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
DIFFICULTIES WITH SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR. *YC
9703249711H — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
DUE TO A PRINTING ERROR, SOME COPIES OF PASSAT WIRING DIAGRAM NO. 38 MAY BE MISSING WIRING DIAGRAM PAGE 38/5. *YC
9703129702F — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NEW AIRBAG WARNING LABELS. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
- 1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 60 complaints
- 1993 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 90 complaints
- 1994 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 36 complaints
- 1995 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 142 complaints
- 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 48 complaints
- 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (current)
- 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 476 complaints
- 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 854 complaints
- 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 625 complaints
- 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 557 complaints
- 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — 772 complaints
Other VOLKSWAGEN Models
- VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — 13,715 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — 3,613 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN — 3,104 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS — 2,635 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — 1,991 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN GTI — 1,916 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN ID.4 — 1,568 total complaints
- VOLKSWAGEN CC — 1,356 total complaints