1990 VOLKSWAGEN Passat

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)

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

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

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

The passenger side seat belt retractor stopped working . tt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upon purchasing vehicle new, passive restraint seat belts for driver get stuck midway w/motor running. owner has to disconnect w/emergency release. *ak consumer states have been having problems with passenger side passive restraint since purchase of vehicle, dealership replaced the entire seat belt unit on passenger side under warranty , the passenger side belt keeps getting stuck in its container and will not unravel therfore causing the motor to work continously until manually disconnected, at one point the belt was stuck midway in track and the motor ran all night and killed a new battery, consumer took vehicle to dealeship and was told it works okay but the next time will need to replace motor, consumer called manufacturer and said the next time it happens it will be replaced for free because of the low mileage.*jb

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

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

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 )

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

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

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

Spring struts and strut mounts failed. yh

Brake pads and rotors failed. yh

Front wheel bearing failed. yh

Motor mounts failed. yh

Cv joint failed. yh

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.

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.

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

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

Head gasket leaks, allowing oil to run onto exhaust manifold and burns, causing carbon monoxide fumes to ente rvehicle; also, heat exhanger leaks, causing odor to enter passenger compartment. could result in injury to driver's feet or fog up windshield.

Transmission some time fly back into third gear when on the freeway, turn engine off and restart, everythings fine.

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

Timing belt broke and distoryed the engine

Timimg belt broke while driving.

Radio performing poorly.

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

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

Transmission experienced electronic failure.