1996 Volkswagen Passat: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Volkswagen Passat: 1 recall, 142 owner complaints and up to 35 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #02V256000 · 2002 · 10,450 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the electrical portion of the ignition switch assembly can fail causing the headlights and windshield wipers to become inoperative.
Why it matters: If such failures occur while the vehicle is in use at night or in rainy or snowy weather, a crash could occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electrical part of the ignition switch assembly. Owner notification began November 20, 2002. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (54): the most common themes are electrical failure (21), stalls / loses power (8), door / lock issues (6).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (21): the most common themes are leaks (3).
- Latches & locks (19): the most common themes are door / lock issues (19).
- Transmission & drivetrain (13): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7).
The 1996 Volkswagen Passat has 142 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 33 Passat model years for complaints (well below the 238 average). Complaints peaked in 2002 (24 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 84,200 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (93 complaints, 1 recalls), 1997 (70 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 41 | 35 | Diesel |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Volkswagen Passat problems?
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (54), visibility (wipers, glass) (21), latches & locks (19).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA ratings run up to 35 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Volkswagen Passat repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.