Volkswagen Passat Wagon 1990

• Recall 16521 [USA]: A leaking heat exchanger will allow hot coolant to escape causing injury to the driver's feet or could steam up the interior of the vehicle temporarily impairing the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
  In the event the engine overheats and the vehicle is operated continuously in that condition, the coolant pressure will rise to a level at which the heat exchanger could leak.
  dealers will replace the heat exchanger on these vehicles.
  system: engine cooling system. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Owner notification: owner notification is expected to begin note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

• Recall 21911 [USA]: The venturi tube can partially block the throttle plateand prevent it from returning to its full idle position, resulting in unwantedengine speed when the vehicle is placed in a forward or reverse gear.
  The venturi tube located in the throttle valve housing can become loose and fall against the throttle plate.
  replace the press-fit venturi tube with a thread type tube.
  system: fuel: throttle valve housing.Vehicle description: passenger cars with 16 valve engines and californiaemission control systems.

• Recall 2002239 [Canada]: Seats and restraints
  On certain vehicles equipped with seat heating units, the front seat back heaters may supply concentrated heat in a localized area of the seat back or produce excessive heat that could not be reduced by operating the seat heater controls except by switching off the controls completely. The concentrated heat could singe the fabric at the lower backrest and, in some instances, injure the seat occupant. Correction: dealers will affect repairs.

• Recall 1996109 [Canada]: Heater and defroster
  Increased coolant pressure due to engine overheating could result in rupture of heat exchanger causing personal injury, or, steaming of interior. Correction: heat exchanger will be replaced on affected vehicles.

• Recall 1990105 [Canada]: Lights and instruments
  These vehicles do not comply with c.M.V.S.S. 108 - lighting. Daytime running lights will not operate with the three position light switch in the second position. Correction: main light switch will be replaced on jetta, corrado and passat and a relay with wiring harness will be installed.

To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

Hi i purchased a 1990 vw passat the vin # is [xxx] .... The heater core blew on this vehicle, i by passed the hoses 2 stop the heater core from leaking, it smelled like syrup and visibility was bad if i had to use the windshield defogger , i have recently heard of this recall and checked your site and saw that this recall i heard about was true. So next i went to the volkswagen dealer(jack daniels, located in fair lawn nj). I gave him the vin # and he said there weren't any recalls on this vehicle. I don't know what i do next so if you can help me out thanks. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(b)(6)

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

Many electrical problems: power windows, ignition switch, passenger side passive seat belt, automatic transmission intermittently will not shift into 4th gear (turn key of and on to reset transmission). Finally, the engine compartment caught fire appears to be electrical causing wide-ranging damage to hood and other engine components. *jb

Wife was driving along when all of a sudden, heater core burst, filling interior of car with hot coolant and steam. Her vision was obstructed by the steam on the inside of the windshield and he had to bring the car to a complete stop in traffic. My daughter, who was in the passenger seat, had some coolant spill onto her shoe. Voa has issued a recall on this exact part before on other serial number ranges and other models, but for some reason, they claimed my vin was outside of recall criteria, even though the same exact part suffered the same exact failure.*ak

The right ball joints and sway bars had to be replaced at low mileage. Nlm

Water pump failed and engine overheated. Currently, there is a leak. *ak

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 was excluded from repair while the same failures as in the recall occured. *yh

On two separate occasions (03/11/00 and 07/03/00) i was travelling at a speed in excess of 75 mph and heard a sudden snap coming from one of my tires. However, the sound was very much like the sound when something gets caught underneath the car momentarily while passing over it. The first occasion involved the left front tire, the second involved the right rear tire. On both occasions i was able to pull over safely to the side of the road. On each occasion i found the tire's tread separated from the rest of the tire, leaving the steel belt underneath totally exposed. Both incidents involved the same model of firestone tire, the firehawk ss10. The affected tires remained completely inflated, so had i not pulled over to the side of the road after the initial snap, i wouldn't have noticed that something was wrong. I fear that if i had not pulled over immediately, i may have been involved in an accident when the rest of the tread separated from the tire, perhaps only a few miles down the road. I now have 3 new bridestone tires on my car and fear for my safety.( dot number: tire size: p215/60r14 )

Consumer was driving at 30 mph and noticed smoke coming from the engine due to the oil top being left off which caused anit-freeze fluid to leak onto the engine. *ak

The engine stalls when i apply quick brakes at 50 mph. Also, when i leave the highway, reducing vehicle speec to 30 mph, upon applying braking the engine frequently stalls. This is an dangerous driving condition which can cause accident/crash. This also happens when i apply quick brakes at 30 mph. The lack of vaccum present due to engine stalling causes the power brakes to fail, requiring excessive foot pressure and emergency brakes engagement in order to stop the vehicle. This vehicle had an recent tune-up without any success to the problem*ak.

No summary included for this vehicle. *ak

Recall number 96v115000; consumer was not notified of the recall failure. Consumer contacted the dealer, dealer stated consumer's vehicle was not included in recall due to vin. *ak *ml

When consumer started the heater ventilation the vehicle was so hot inside that glass windows were foggy, and the temperature was very hot. Consumer couldn't drive in that situation. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.*ak

We did not realize other owners had the same problems with this model year until we read your reports.We did not contact the manufacture because we thought our problems may be one of a few. Others are "hard start, rough/hunting at idle ,harsh engagement & finally no 4th gear shift. *ak

Frayed cable cable caused passenger side passive restraint mechanism not to fully retract.

Consumer noticed passenger's front side automatic seat belt does not lock in place all the way, also it moves by itself; becomes loose from top retractor . Makes noise, over night draines battery. *ak

Vehicle's passenger side shoulder belt motor runs continuously, runs down battery, will not retract or release shoulder belt; had vehicle at dealership several times, they failto repair problem. *ak

Heat controlled for driver's side seat began heating w/switch off. The following morning the driver's seat became progressively hot immediately. Once pulled over to check, compartment filled w/smoke and driver's coat was on fire. Please describe. *ak

Long axle metal donut outside diamond press, glued to hub, pressed on shaft from the differential, slid down and wedged in the front wheel axle pivot. See enclosed video. *ak

The heater core leaked inside car, causing burn injury to driver.

Timing belt tensioner bearing seized, causing destruction of timing belt. *dh

The heater exchanger leaks and oder enters passenger compartment. This leak could cause injury to the driver's feet or cause the windshield to fog over, increasing the risk of an accident.

Abs:told by dealer, entire abs needs replacing;aligned, owner got air into system while changing pads, ruined whole system;volkswagen willing to pay for half.

Passenger side automatic seat belts failed, the belts stopped working. Tt

Vehicle continually stalls due to fuel sending unit/fuel transfer pump breaking up/clogging the fuel filter. *dsh

Head gasket leaks allow oil to run onto the exhaust manifold and burn, causing carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. There is also a risk of fire in the engine compartment.

Transmission experienced electronic failure.

The driver and passenger side seat belt retractor stopped working. Tt

Front end vibration caused the tire to wear out and wheels to bend. Yh

The passenger side seat belt retractor stopped working . Tt

Timimg belt broke while driving.

Brake pads and rotors failed. Yh

Engine overheats, causing the coolant pressure to rise, resulting in leakage. *ak

Front passengers window came down when the passenger door was closed.

Motor mounts failed. Yh