1992 Volkswagen PASSAT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 23 complaints (17.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 3; 2000: 9; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001315 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING GAS AND FUMES BEGAN EMITTING FROM VENTS CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG ELIMINATING CONSUMER'S VISIBILITY. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT HAD A BROKEN HEATER CORE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041089 · 2003-10-02 (October 2, 2003)
HEAT EXCHANGER (CORE) LEAKED WHILE DRIVING, STEAMING UP THE VEHICLE INTERIOR TO IMPAIR VISIBILITY. HOT COOLANT LEAKED INTO PASSENGER'S FOOT AREA. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE ALREADY ISSUED RECALL # 96V115000. MY CAR IS 1992 VW PASSAT: [XXX]. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072033 · 2004-07-06 (July 6, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HEATER CORE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT WHITE STEAM FILLED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH IMPAIRED THE VISIBILITY OF THE DRIVER. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201865 · 2007-09-04 (September 4, 2007)
THROTTLE CABLE MELTS THEN IT JAMS, USUALLY IN A HIGH REVVING POSITION. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 NEW THROTTLE CABLES, EACH TIME THEY MELT AND STICK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 87,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478142 · 1995-01-05 (January 5, 1995)
ENGINE FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480626 · 1995-01-14 (January 14, 1995)
MISALIGNMENT, CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 554621 · 2000-09-14 (September 14, 2000)
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 554621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557855 · 2000-12-04 (December 4, 2000)
THE ENGINE VALVES AND TIMING BELT FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557855 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
92V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1992-09-15 (September 15, 1992)
THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
Consequence: THE VENTURI TUBE CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK THE THROTTLE PLATEAND PREVENT IT FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION, RESULTING IN UNWANTEDENGINE SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR.
Remedy: REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗