1992 Volkswagen PASSAT problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 856016 · 2000-02-02 (February 2, 2000)
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING: -AUTOMATIC ACCELERATION, THROTTLE STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING -HEATER CORE EXPLODED -BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR -CV JOINTS BAD -TRUNK LATCH WILL NOT OPEN -OIL LEAK -TRANSMISSION FAILURES -EXHAUST PROBLEMS -STARTING PROBLEMS, IGNITION -FRESH AIR CONTROL DOES NOT WORK -STEERING WHEEL LOST SCREWS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856016 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 858402 · 2000-03-13 (March 13, 2000)
WHEN IT'S COLD VEHICLE WILL START FAST AND RUN WELL. BUT AFTER CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP, PARKED AND STARTED AGAIN, IT'S HARD TO START. THEN, WHEN GOING DOWN THE STREET AND SLOWING DOWN, VEHICLE WILL STALL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978436 · 1996-01-30 (January 30, 1996)
FUEL TANK COLLAPSED AND VEHICLE STOPPED DUE TO LACK OF FUEL, POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978436 at NHTSA ↗