1997 Volkswagen Passat Recalls
No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Complaints by component
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat tdi. The contact stated that a fire erupted spontaneously inside the dashboard which caused all of the wires to melt and the windshield to fracture. The fire department was contacted who determined that the fire started in the area where the ignition…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat tdi. The contact stated that a fire erupted spontaneously inside the dashboard which caused all of the wires to melt and the windshield to fracture. The fire department was contacted who determined that the fire started in the area where the ignition…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat. Whenever the contact attempted to activate the windshield wipers or headlights, they failed to turn on. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no warnings prior to the failures. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat. Whenever the contact attempted to activate the windshield wipers or headlights, they failed to turn on. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no warnings prior to the failures. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat. While parking the vehicle, the contact heard an unfamiliar noise and the air conditioning began to blow hot air. He exited the vehicle and discovered water leaking from the undercarriage. He believes that the heater core may have failed. The current…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat. The contact has taken his vehicle to the garage and the dealer eight times. The engine head was replaced at 42,000 miles and the turbo charge is currently failing. The contact stated that the repairs cost more than the actual price of the vehicle. The…”
“On sunday, august 5th, 2007, while driving the car with my 7 year old son in the back seat, dense, noxious 'steam'/smoke began to come out of all vents and around the dash area in my well-maintained volkswagen. Hot coolant also leaked into the passenger compartment of my passat on the driver's…”
“Heater core failed- clouding the window to a degree that we nearly had an accident before we could get the car pulled over.”
Defect investigations
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.