1997 Volkswagen Passat: windshield wiper failure

6 of the 37 complaints about the 1997 Volkswagen Passat describe windshield wiper failure.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 16%
typical mileage: 80,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Windshield wiper failure by model year

2014
1
2013
6
2012
2
2009
1
2008
2
2007
3
2006
15
2005
1
2004
3
2003
1
2002
8
2001
3
1999
4
1998
1
1997
6
1996
9

What owners say

Filed Sep 2, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 60,000 miles · CA

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. There were no warnings prior to the failures. The current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Oct 18, 2006 · Electrical · 100,600 miles · NY

Various electronic components failed while driving--windshield wipers, lights, defrost motor--on a very dark, rainy morning, causing a dangerous situation and a near-accident. Manufacturer previously warned of 'ignition switch failure', but would only repair after failure and before 10 yrs or 100,000 miles. My car has 100,600 miles. Manufacturer refuses to bear the repair cost for this known defect that could have caused a serious accident.

Filed Dec 14, 2004 · Lights, Visibility · 97,000 miles · CT

While driving at any speed at night in inclement conditions headlights and windshield wipers worked intermittently. Consumer stated, if he moved the key back and forth in the ignition switch the headlights would come back on.

Filed May 18, 2004 · Electrical, Visibility · 80,000 miles · NC

Numerous ocassions my passat will "shut down" while driving. Lose all power, A/C, headlights, windshield wipers, and numerous other power related items. This has happened while driving on the interstate and luckily I was able to pull over before being hit, or hitting someone.

Filed May 10, 2004 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · FL

The windshield wipers, air conditioner and headlights stopped working. The consumer staed the ignition switch needs replacing.

Filed May 23, 2003 · Electrical · 42,003 miles · CA

Lights, wipers and heater fan lose power while driving. The ignition switch was replaced by the dealer at the owner's expense, fixing the problem. The ignition switch part number as listed on the invoice (6no-905-865) is similar, if not identical, to part number 357-905-865 that fails in the 1996 vw passat & jetta, a vehicle subject to a recall campaign for the same symptoms