10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #3

Dec 012000

Passat

  • miles
The daytime and normal headlights don't work when engine is started. This problem is intermittent. Sometimes I would shut off the engine and restart it and the lights come back on. Another time, I just turned off the engine and let the car sit in my garage for a few days. The lights come back on when I start it. At other times, in addition to the headlight not coming on, the ABS light comes on when the ignition is started. There are a lot of other electrical problems with my Passat, which I have fixed and reported here. Namely, the instrument cluster failed.

- East Windsor, NJ, USA

Add Complaint
problem #2

Nov 171999

Passat

  • miles
Vehicle has been experincing ongoing problem with day ruinning light/ head light, heater / cooling system would intermittently go out or stop operating. Sometimes if key is jiggled it would cause it to come back on or operate again. Aslo, speedometer / odometer fail edto operate. Dealer notified and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Nov 181998

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles
When the vehicle is in the off position the headlights will not turn off, causing the battery to die out.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Add Complaint