1997 Volkswagen Passat Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 11%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat, 11% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 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.
“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 miles“1997 vw Passat tdi: rr door lock cannot be opened from inside. Problem developed over period of time, safety hazard because a passenger would be unable to escape. Lf door and rf door developing difficult opening. Door can be opened from outside with difficulty. Lf door will open only by power.”
NHTSA complaint #10049671, filed 2003-12, 96,000 miles“Driver's power window regulator mechanism has repeated failures despite replacement/repair on six occasions. This is a serious safety hazard, since the window must be closed by grasping the glass and manipulating it which can result in fingers being trapped and broken. Also, once this failure has happened, the window may drop down into the door unexpectedly at high speed causing driver distraction, or fail to open in an emergency precluding an escape path. This is compounded by faulty door latch mechanism actuators which preclude door opening from outside by rescue personnel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10114019, filed 2005-03, 79,000 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 1997 Volkswagen Passat
16 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsEquipment
3 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