MYRModel Year Report

1995 Volkswagen Passat

▲ Better than typical
1995 Volkswagen Passat
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:48:14.898Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
94
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1995

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Visibility

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 94 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 94 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 94 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 749 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 19 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

1995: 94 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013749
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202119
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Visibility

28% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and heater core.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

95 Passat heater core rupture filling the vehicle cabin with hot radiator fluid and steam. Windshield became coated with anti-freeze solution that just smeared and could not be wiped off. Vehicle left the road into the ditch.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-06

1. Normal driving on a surburban road at about 45MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-17

Heater core on the VR6 powered vehicles is the valeo brand, known to fail. It just blews coolant through the dash vents all over the coupe inside.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-17

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and cooling system.

INJURY

Electrical system

18% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

Service brakes

14% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIRE

Power train

12% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Safety timeline

1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1995-11-29Engine and engine cooling95V178000 Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2000-08-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-12-28 Fuel tank puncture
  3. I
    2000-12-28Engineering analysisClosed 2002-01-29 Fuel tank puncture

Buy-smart checklist

1995 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Visibility: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V178000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1995 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1995 Volkswagen Passat is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1995 Volkswagen Passat have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.