The 1992 Volkswagen Passat has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 12,650 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE VENTURI TUBE LOCATED IN THE THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING CAN BECOME LOOSE AND FALL AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE.
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.
REPLACE THE PRESS-FIT VENTURI TUBE WITH A THREAD TYPE TUBE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Throttle cable melts then it jams, usually in a high revving position. I have gone through 3 new throttle cables, each time they melt and stick. *jb”
“While driving 65 mph heater core blew out. As a result white steam filled the passenger compartment which impaired the visibility of the driver. *ak *nm”
“Heat exchanger (core) leaked while driving, steaming up the vehicle interior to impair visibility. Hot coolant leaked into passenger's foot area. This is very similar to the already issued recall # 96v115000. My car is 1992 vw passat: [xxx]. *jb information redacted pursuant to the freedom of…”
“While driving gas and fumes began emitting from vents causing windows to fog eliminating consumer's visibility. Dealer diagnosed that had a broken heater core. Ts”
“Heating system smells of antifreeze when using front vents and defrost. 2 - 3 fan selection used and heater set to medium warm setting antifreeze fumes started to blowout, which fogged front window and breathing in hazmat antifreeze.*ak”
“Heating system smells of antifreeze when using front vents and defrost. 2 - 3 fan selection used and heater set to medium warm setting antifreeze fumes started to blowout, which fogged front window and breathing in hazmat antifreeze.*ak”
“When it's cold vehicle will start fast and run well. But after car has been warmed up, parked and started again, it's hard to start. Then, when going down the street and slowing down, vehicle will stall. This is very unsafe. Vehicle has been repaired on several occasions, however continues to…”
“Vehicle is constantly overheating (6 times).*et”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 Volkswagen Passat as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.