1990 Volkswagen Passat engine and engine cooling problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1990 Volkswagen Passat — 35% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Recall 96v115000: the vehicle did not have any heat, the vehicle was checked and the dealer found a faulty heating core. The manufacturer was aware of the problem and indicated that there was a recall on the heater core, but the consumer's vehicle was not included due to vin. *ak *sc *jb”
filed Oct 27, 2003
“Recall 96 v 115 000/engine cooling system: vehicle experienced overheating in which coolant / steam was coming into vehicle. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not part of recall due to vin. *ak heating core failed and leaked through the vents. The consumer's vehicle…”
filed Mar 29, 2001
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Conditions with engine intermittently will not start. *yc
9704109707D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 10, 1997
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Passat years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Passat | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 Passat | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 Passat | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 Passat | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 Passat | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 Passat | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 Passat | 9 | 5% |
| 2007 Passat | 32 | 12% |
| 2006 Passat | 66 | 11% |
| 2005 Passat | 50 | 34% |
| 2004 Passat | 59 | 21% |
| 2003 Passat | 131 | 21% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1990 Volkswagen Passat
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.