1997 Volkswagen Passat Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the equipment of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat, 8% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,500 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.
“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 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10157302Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
- 10125661Aug 18, 2017Update to existing tip for fuel quality checking.
- 10155644Jun 28, 2017This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.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, 2017VAS 6154 Replacement Part Setup Guide
- 10128055Feb 1, 2017This communication is to update our ProFi dealers of the current status of the latest inbound and outbound ProFi requests.
- 10126785Oct 31, 2016Update model year applicability to include 2017.
- 10127969Sep 23, 2016Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 1 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 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