1993 Volkswagen Passat Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 21%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1993 Volkswagen Passat, 21% of the 68 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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 starter the first time I took it in for repair. Three more dealer visits have been labeled 'works ok', even though I had to start car for service manager. Came back 'checks ok'. I suspect corrosion of some kind in the ignition wiring. Very frustrating.”
NHTSA complaint #718791, filed 2000-02“Driving the vehicle and other cars noticed flames coming from underneath the fog lights of the car. Pulled vehicle over , turned the ignition switch off and put the flames out. Fireman determined that the fire came from the front left fog light. Took vehicle to the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #826971, filed 1998-08“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 vw fixed some of the ABS problems but ABS warning light still comes on sometimes. Also, pedal intermittently will go to floor, and snow and ice performance is much worse than our other ABS passats . Seat belts: lap belt buckle seems likely to cause injury in an accident . …”
NHTSA complaint #706736, filed 1999-05Related service bulletins
- 10124454Aug 1, 2014Assembly Instructions: Installation of original remote start feature accessory, Volkswagen Passat.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 4 | 20% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2018 | 10 | 22% |
| 2017 | 18 | 16% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 48 | 20% |
| 2014 | 74 | 12% |
| 2013 | 93 | 12% |
| 2012 | 95 | 20% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 21 | 13% |
| 2009 | 18 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 13% |
| 2007 | 34 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 14% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 8% |
| 2003 | 90 | 14% |
| 2002 | 220 | 35% |
| 2001 | 73 | 17% |
| 2000 | 43 | 8% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 13 | 35% |
| 1996 | 14 | 35% |
| 1995 | 15 | 16% |
| 1994 | 5 | 20% |
| 1993 | 14 | 21% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1993 Volkswagen Passat
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 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