Speedometer/tachometer and fuel gauges went crazy. With engine off speedometer reads 80 mph and tachometer reads 4000 RPM. This occurred after a cold start-up and is known to be an instrument cluster failure. It appears to be specific to 1996 model Volkswagen Passat glx models and is reported to be a $600. Or more dealer repair with a need to special order the replacement gauge/cluster assembly from germany requiring 4-6 weeks for parts delivery. This is unacceptable ! printed circuit boards and instrument clusters are not wear items and should not fail under normal operation. I am not about to pay VW $600. Or more to fix a known defect. It is certainly possible to use the VIN numbers to determine if this defect is limited to a certain production time period. Perhaps the vendor supplier to VW had some production problems that were discovered and corrected. Owner's of these vehicles should not pay for a known defect that results from normal vehicle operation.

- Taylor, MI, USA

Fuel gauge, speedometer and tachometer needle will not set at zero even when ignition is off.

- East Windsor, NJ, USA

The instrument speedometer will not set at 0, and the rev counter also will not set at 0.

- Bedminster, NJ, USA

Odometer replaced: New milage is zero(0): Used-car buyers beware of this problem... inaccurate milage readings

- Stl, MO, USA