1995 Volkswagen Passat
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 24 of 93 complaints (26%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | vs. 1995 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,450 | 2,550–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–21 | 18–35 | 18–36 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 23–27 | 16–31 / 23–41 | 16–32 / 23–42 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–494 | 291–494 | 283–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 93 | 40 | 37 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1995 Volkswagen Passat have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1995 Volkswagen Passat?
Visibility & Lighting: 24 of 93 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1995 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1995 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 24 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN · Campaign 95V178000 · Sep 25, 1995
Defect: IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Consequence: A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.