1994 Volkswagen Passat vs 1996 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1994 Volkswagen Passat | 1996 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 25 | 40 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 15 | 38 |
| Investigations | 2 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 0 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18 | 18–35 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | 84,200 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen Passat | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 14 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 5 |
| Visibility | 2 | 12 |
| Power Train | 4 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 0 | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 2 |
1994 Volkswagen Passat
1996 Volkswagen Passat
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Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.