Volkswagen ยท 1996
1996 Volkswagen Passat
Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 35 MPG.
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Highway | Combined | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Diesel | 31 | 41 | 35 | 291 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 25 | 20 | 444 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 18 | 26 | 21 | 423 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 16 | 23 | 18 | 494 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 17 | 24 | 19 | 468 |
Safety recalls (NHTSA)
1 campaign on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
185 complaints filed by owners for this model year (2 involving a crash, 1 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel economy of a 1996 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA figures for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat reach 35 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.
Are there recalls on the 1996 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.
What are common problems with the 1996 Volkswagen Passat?
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat, most often about: Electrical System, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.
Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.