1996 Volkswagen Passat Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 13%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1996 Volkswagen Passat, 13% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,000 miles.
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.
“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 miles“Consumer complained about a door lock problem. Currently, three of the four door locks broke. Doors will not open from the inside or the outside. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, who indicated that they will do nothing. Consumer purchased an extended warranty. However, it did not cover the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10080328, filed 2004-07, 68,000 miles“The doors cannot be opened from the outside. It started with the left rear door which I tried to repair myself. Then it was the driver door. It was repaired by the dealer at a high cost. Now it is the passenger door. This is dangerous and should be the object of a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10043636, filed 2003-10, 25,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the rear passenger side door handles failed to open from the outside. The contact also stated that the front driver side and the front passenger side door handles failed to open from the outside. The contact had to use the key from the outside of the door to wind the window down to open the doors. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10681805, filed 2015-02, 120,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 6 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 3 | 0% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 4 | 11% |
| 1996 | 5 | 13% |
| 1995 | 9 | 10% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1996 Volkswagen Passat
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
12 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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