1990 Volkswagen Passat Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 21%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seat belts of the 1990 Volkswagen Passat, 21% of the 34 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #813663, filed 1997-06“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.”
NHTSA complaint #806930, filed 1996-12“Upon purchasing vehicle new, passive restraint seat belts for driver get stuck midway w/motor running. Owner has to disconnect w/emergency release. 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…”
NHTSA complaint #803810, filed 1996-10Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1994 | 3 | 12% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 5% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 7 | 21% |
Other parts of the 1990 Volkswagen Passat
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology