RecallMyCar

1997 Volkswagen Passat Recalls, Complaints & Specs

No safety recalls list the 1997 Volkswagen Passat, and owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

0
safety recalls
37
owner complaints to NHTSA
1 / 2
complaints citing a crash / fire
18–36
MPG combined (EPA)

No safety recalls on record

NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1997 Volkswagen Passat. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.

37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Volkswagen Passat have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 114,779 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 13 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat tdi. The contact stated that a fire erupted spontaneously inside the dashboard which caused all of the wires to melt and the windshield to fracture. The f”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 7, 2012 · Electrical system

“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volkswagen passat. Whenever the contact attempted to activate the windshield wipers or headlights, they failed to turn on. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 2, 2008 · Visibility

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1997 Volkswagen Passat (Passat Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined18–36 mpg
City / Highway16–32 / 23–42
FuelDiesel, Regular
EPA classMidsize Cars, Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Engine4/6 cyl, 1.9/2.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Volkswagen Passat model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Passat model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1988 Volkswagen Passat10
1989 Volkswagen Passat10
1990 Volkswagen Passat234
1991 Volkswagen Passat124
1992 Volkswagen Passat139
1993 Volkswagen Passat368
1994 Volkswagen Passat125
1995 Volkswagen Passat193
1996 Volkswagen Passat140
1997 Volkswagen Passat037
1998 Volkswagen Passat4331
1999 Volkswagen Passat5664
2000 Volkswagen Passat3507
2001 Volkswagen Passat3430
2002 Volkswagen Passat3636
2003 Volkswagen Passat6628
2004 Volkswagen Passat3279
2005 Volkswagen Passat3148
2006 Volkswagen Passat7576
2007 Volkswagen Passat7262
2008 Volkswagen Passat4168
2009 Volkswagen Passat4146
2010 Volkswagen Passat4163
2011 Volkswagen Passat016
2012 Volkswagen Passat11484
2013 Volkswagen Passat9748
2014 Volkswagen Passat10594
2015 Volkswagen Passat7243
2016 Volkswagen Passat5106
2017 Volkswagen Passat7110
2018 Volkswagen Passat445
2019 Volkswagen Passat112
2020 Volkswagen Passat318
2021 Volkswagen Passat118
2022 Volkswagen Passat013

Checking a specific 1997 Volkswagen Passat

How do I know if my 1997 Volkswagen Passat has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volkswagen dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volkswagen models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.