1993 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 151,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1993 Volkswagen Passat, 6% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 151,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“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 the bumper. I got under there to see what's going on, and seconds later a piece of burning plastic with the bulb still in it fell into the inside of the bumber, apparently it separated from the main unit of the light. I had to stuff it with snow to stop the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10050971, filed 2003-12, 151,000 miles“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 1999-05Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1993 Volkswagen Passat
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
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 Nov 1, 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