Model year guide

1988 Volkswagen Passat

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Volkswagen Passat is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 902 on record.

1988 Volkswagen Passat — representative photo
Representative photo

1988 Volkswagen Passat at a glance

Safety recalls1

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1988 Volkswagen Passat recalls 1

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #96V115000 · 01/07/1996

IN THE EVENT THE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED CONTINUOUSLY IN THAT CONDITION, THE COOLANT PRESSURE WILL RISE TO A LEVEL AT WHICH THE HEAT EXCHANGER COULD LEAK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAT EXCHANGER ON THESE VEHICLES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

About the Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of large family cars (D-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973 and also marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat — in saloon, estate, and hatchback body styles. With sales of 34 million units worldwide, the Passat is the fourth best-selling automobile of all time.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1988 Volkswagen Passat vehicles on record

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Other Volkswagen Passat model years

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1988 Volkswagen Passat — frequently asked questions

Does the 1988 Volkswagen Passat have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1988 Volkswagen Passat. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.