1997 Volkswagen Passat Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,300miles, 32 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 1997 Volkswagen Passat (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat. The part named most often is visibility, with 16 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system (13) and engine cooling (7). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,300 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 40 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 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 system13 35%
- Engine cooling7 19%
- Equipment3 8.1%
- Body and structure3 8.1%
- Exterior lighting2 5.4%
- Other or unknown2 5.4%
- Air bags1 2.7%
- Fuel system1 2.7%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Numerous ocassions my Passat will shut down while driving. Lose all power, A/C, headlights, windshield wipers, and numerous other power related items. This has happened while driving on the interstate and luckily I was able to pull over before being hit, or hitting someone.”
NHTSA complaint #10072811, filed 2004-05, 80,000 milesElectrical system: “I purchased a 1997 Volkswagen Passat vr6 at checkered flag bmw in june 2004, and since have discovered that the electrical system is horrible. First, the air conditioner( A/C) quit working, then the airbag light came on, and the AC started working for a day, then blew a chemical cloud into the vehicle, while I was on the highway. My eyes were burning (as well as my face) for the rest of the day. Finally, I have already had to replace the battery, and there's a slow coolant leak. May I suggest that we remove all vw's from america's streets? They are a total menace to anyone who owns them! …”
NHTSA complaint #10093585, filed 2004-10, 100,000 milesEngine cooling: “Seat belts never raval all the way (minor issue), air conditioner gets cold only for about a minute (once again minor), and now it misfires on cylinders 5 and 6. I have replaced both o2 sensors, the coil pack (3 times), ignition wires (twice), spark plugs (twice in 4,000 miles), and the ecu. Still misfires after 3 shops and the dealer having it twice for about 2 weeks straight (ken garff orem vw/audi dealership). They told me "there is nothing we can do", vw america said "there is nothing we can do, those dealerships are independent from us". …”
NHTSA complaint #10070187, filed 2004-01, 65,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “Consumer complained about door locks and latches. The door locks and latches froze in cold weather. Consumer had to tie a belt from the door to driver's leg to keep the door from opening when driving the vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer. The dealer lubricated the locks, and it helped for only two weeks and the problem recurred. Manufacturer was no help.”
NHTSA complaint #10103731, filed 2004-12, 45,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
13% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 136,000 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 1997 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 1997 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 | 2.8L 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 | 32 | 42 | 36 | $2,650 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 32 | 42 | 36 | $2,650 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 40 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 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.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Equipment, Electrical system. Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine. Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Exterior lighting. Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10150856Sep 28, 2018Engine. Engine replacement tip
- 10157828Sep 14, 2017Electrical system. Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
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 | 18 | 16,116 | 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 1997 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 16 complaints (43% of the total), followed by electrical system with 13.
Has the 1997 Volkswagen Passat been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Volkswagen Passat get?
The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Volkswagen Passat reported?
Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,300 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 136,000 miles; 13% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.