1997 Volkswagen Passat Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 3%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 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.
“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Airbag Issues.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 15% |
| 2020 | 4 | 22% |
| 2018 | 5 | 11% |
| 2017 | 28 | 25% |
| 2016 | 25 | 24% |
| 2015 | 88 | 36% |
| 2014 | 354 | 60% |
| 2013 | 382 | 51% |
| 2012 | 296 | 61% |
| 2011 | 5 | 31% |
| 2010 | 45 | 28% |
| 2009 | 12 | 8% |
| 2008 | 32 | 19% |
| 2007 | 106 | 40% |
| 2006 | 148 | 26% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 8 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 2% |
| 2001 | 26 | 6% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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