The heater core failed on our 1995 vw passat while my son was driving it. Without warning it failed and poured 190 degree antifreeze over his ankles. Fortunately he wasn't severely burned or crashed the car, but it was serious issue. We spoke to vw but they wouldn't replace the heater core. Many customers have had the core replaced under warranty, but it seems to be randomly selected. I have read on the forums of this happening often and would like to know if there is recall that vw needs to address. Thank you for your help.
1995 Volkswagen Passat engine problems
19 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 153,015.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 153,015
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Engine: gasoline7
- Cooling system6
- Cooling system: fan5
- Engine1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Passat engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1995 Volkswagen Passat engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- Improper material was used in manufacturing the radiator fan motor shaft causing the shaft to wear and become noisy.
- Risk
- A worn and noisy fan motor shaft can seize renderingthe fan motor inoperative, eventually causing the engine to overheat and stall. A stalled vehicle in traffic can increase the potential for a vehicle accident.
- 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 blade lock nuts.
Recall number 95V178000 · Recall details
What 1995 Volkswagen Passat owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle vibrates and is worse when in high gear. Part of the fan fractured causing the vehicle to overheat. There is an the federal safety agency recall, # 95v178000, regarding the engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan. The vehicle VIN was not included in the recall.
Heater core exploding, no events leading up to this I was simply going from a stoplight when smoke started pouring in through the vents and engine coolant going everywhere. I have not replaced anything yet, but the heater core is destroyed.
Front end was making a rattling noise. Also, radiator overheated. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced the head gasket.
Timing chain stretched and valves went against pistons. Engine light goes on and off all the time. Ignition switch fail and lights go off. Right window doesn't work. Ignition coil is defective.
In february of 2003 on one of the cold days, the fan system didn't work and as a result car overheated and blew of the head gasket. Total cost to fix $2000. Small recall of cooling fan cost me $2000 and in spite of calls to customer service department, no cost was born by the company.
Coolant leaking out from under the dash. More than likely it is the heater core. Not supposed to happen this soon, car is only years 8 old.
No summary
The consumer believes there are a number of electrical failures with the vehicle including, 5 batteries in five years, right and left front windows will not roll down, trunk light illuminates for no apparent reason and the door locks are inoperative. Nlm
The cooling system ended up with a slow leak occuring due to a poorly designed hose restraint behind the fan assembly. The hose got out from behind the restraint and got worn away by the fan/fan housing. The restraint should surround the hose completely instead of only covering approximately 160 degrees of the hose. Now I will get charged to replace a hose and for labor because of a poor design. Not fair to consumers.
Questions about the 1995 Volkswagen Passat engine
Does the 1995 Volkswagen Passat have engine problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the engine of the 1995 Volkswagen Passat, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1995 Volkswagen Passat engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 153,015 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1995 Volkswagen Passat engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 95V178000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Passat have bad engine?
The Volkswagen Passat model years with the most engine complaints are 2003 (153 complaints), 2002 (148 complaints) and 2006 (130 complaints).
Other 1995 Volkswagen Passat problems
Visibility 20Electrical 15Brakes 14Transmission 10Locks 9Body 6Acceleration 5Lights 5Suspension 5Seat belts 4Steering 4Fuel system 3Tires 2
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