1996 Toyota Camry vs 1996 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Toyota Camry | 1996 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 417 | 40 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 53 | 38 |
| Investigations | 2 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 57 | 0 |
| Fire reports | 8 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–23 | 18–35 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 98,929 mi | 84,200 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Toyota Camry | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 76 | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 52 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 50 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 47 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 26 | 14 |
| Visibility | 26 | 12 |
| Steering | 37 | 0 |
| Suspension | 28 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 30 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 12 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 9 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 5 | 0 |
1996 Toyota Camry
1996 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Toyota Camry vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.