1996 Volkswagen Passat
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 15 of 40 complaints (38%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 93 in 1995 to 40 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,450 | 2,550–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | 2,400–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–21 | 18–35 | 18–36 | 18–37 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 23–27 | 16–31 / 23–41 | 16–32 / 23–42 | 15–32 / 24–45 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–494 | 291–494 | 283–494 | 275–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 93 | 40 | 37 | 331 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
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 1996 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 1996 Volkswagen Passat?
Visibility & Lighting: 15 of 40 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 18–35 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $2,550–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize Cars | 31 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $2,550 (low) | 291 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | 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 5 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 31 mpg (high) | 41 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $2,550 (low) | 291 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | 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 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 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)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 02V256000 · Sep 26, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IF SUCH FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE AT NIGHT OR IN RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.