1996 Volkswagen Passat Problems
- Complaints
- 40filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 84,200miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat. The part named most often is electrical system, with 14 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility (12) and engine cooling (5). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,200 miles. Of all complaints, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch and 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Visibility complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system14 35%
- Engine cooling5 13%
- Exterior lighting3 7.5%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.0%
- Brakes1 2.5%
- Other or unknown1 2.5%
- Body and structure1 2.5%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “My 1996 vw Passat has an ignition switch is faulty. My first time was at night and my lights went out. I pulled of the road and restarted the car and the lights came on. The next time the lights went out and the wipers stop. I hit every switch and when I hit the ignition switch everything care on. I called dealer and he said my VIN was not covered under the recall. If my car is having the same problems as the recall why can't this be covered by the safety recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10119386, filed 2005-05, 142,045 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “No event leading to the failure... I was driving down the freeway at 65 MPH when my heater core failed.. Causing solding hot coolant to rush onto my feet while driving.. I had to brake while coolant was all over my feet...burning them...nearly causing and accident!”
NHTSA complaint #10090874, filed 2004-09, 99,635 milesEngine cooling: “Our main comment is that this vehicle was sold to our daughter illegally. We then found that the mileage indicator had been rolled back. This car has been sitting in her driveway because it will not run, all the hardware is falling off. After finally in. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****743725”
NHTSA complaint #10006395, filed 2001-04, 92,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “Rear door latch failed and door flew open and 10 year old child fell out of the car. The door appears to close normally but it is not latched. After closing the door multiple times , it does catch but it is not obvious when the door is closed. Luckily, there minor injuries due to the low speed of the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10118453, filed 2005-04, 80,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
8% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,000 and 105,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 Volkswagen Passat version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Passat FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Passat FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Passat FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Passat FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 41 | 35 | $2,750 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 31 | 41 | 35 | $2,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V256000Sep 18, 2002Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchCovers: Volkswagen Passat 1996
On certain passenger vehicles, the electrical portion of the ignition switch assembly can fail causing the headlights and windshield wipers to become inoperative.
Recall details for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Equipment. Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019Equipment. The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Exterior lighting. Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
- 10157383Jun 22, 2017Equipment. VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017Equipment. This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Oct 31, 2016Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10127969Sep 23, 2016Equipment. Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability.
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Air bags. Airbag Issues.
- 10128105Jun 29, 2015Equipment. This document contains the VW Elsa Newsletter that contains a general overview of wiring diagrams updates, technical bulletins, pending service solutions, tech tips, campaigns, updates, and…
Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13 | 90 | 0 | 4 | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 20 | 27,232 | 1 | 4–5 | 28 | — | Rising |
| 2020 | 18 | 4,500 | 3 | 5 | 27 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 12 | 3,500 | 1 | 5 | 29 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 46 | 35,000 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 20 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2017 | 110 | 32,000 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 54 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 106 | 34,000 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 243 | 47,386 | 7 | 5 | 28 | 77 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 594 | 49,220 | 10 | 5 | 26 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2013 | 749 | 51,000 | 9 | 5 | 25 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2012 | 484 | 58,000 | 11 | 5 | 25 | 98 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 16 | 85,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 163 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 25 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 146 | 79,826 | 4 | — | 23 | 36 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 168 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 22 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 262 | 71,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 576 | 64,000 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 148 | 71,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 279 | 69,800 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 628 | 59,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 636 | 48,973 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 430 | 60,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 507 | 69,250 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 664 | 75,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 331 | 80,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 37 | 100,300 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 40 | 84,200 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 93 | 130,853 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 25 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 68 | 107,387 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 39 | 120,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 24 | 180,995 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 34 | 146,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volkswagen Passat model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Volkswagen Passat is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 14 complaints (35% of the total), followed by visibility with 12.
Has the 1996 Volkswagen Passat been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Volkswagen Passat get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Volkswagen Passat (Passat, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Volkswagen Passat reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,200 miles and the middle half falls between 72,000 and 105,000 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.