1997 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 70 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 was 60,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2008
“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 and failure mileages were 157,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2008
“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 dealer stated that the computer needed to be replaced in order to correct the turbo charge. The replacement would cost $1,000. The VIN was verified, but appears to be invalid. The current mileage was 46,000 and failure mileage was 38,000. Updated 03/18/08. *lj updated 03/18/08 *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Heater core failed- clouding the window to a degree that we nearly had an accident before we could get the car pulled over.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2007
“Various electronic components failed while driving--windshield wipers, lights, defrost motor--on a very dark, rainy morning, causing a dangerous situation and a near-accident. Manufacturer previously warned of 'ignition switch failure', but would only repair after failure and before 10 yrs or 100,000 miles. My car has 100,600 miles. Manufacturer refuses to bear the repair cost for this known defect that could have caused a serious accident. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2006
“Ignition switch failure while vehicle operational. Same condition was covered under recall on 1996 vw passat models, manufacturer is not offering coverage on same body style under 1997 and 1995 designation. Impacted vehicle is a 1997 vw passat wagon. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2006
“Hot coolant suddenly started coming out of the vents and caused all the windows to fog over. Had to pull of freeway and get a tow. No indication of a problem prior to the failure. Problem turns out to be a bad heater core. Had heater core bypassed because of the cost of the repair. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · May 2006
“Dt: the contact stated the heater core was leaking coolant onto the floor, not allowing the windshield to completely defrost. The vehicle has not been seen by a dealer and no repairs have been made. *ak updated 01/19/06. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2005
“While en-route between dexter, michigan and grand rapids, michigan, cabin began to smell of smoke. Shortly thereafter, the cigarette lighter caught fire. Fire was extinguished with a halon extinguisher promptly. Examination of the components post-fire revealed a defective center conductor. Circuit was fused at 10 amps which was found to be blown, post fire. No injuries, no damage to personal goods, damage was confined to cigarette lighter assembly, which is poorly designed. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2005
“Heater core failure. Initially I only smell the radiator fluid. Then it quickly changes over to steam actually coming out of your vents. This causes your windows to fog up. Radiator fluid came shooting out of the dash but on the passenger side. This probably would have scalded someone if they were sitting there. *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 70 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is visibility (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,300 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.