NHTSA recall 02V256000
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 02V256000 |
| Manufacturer's number | WQ |
| Manufacturer | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| Reported | 2002-09-18 |
| Owners notified | 2002-11-20 |
| Component | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH |
| Units potentially affected | 10450 |
What is wrong
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
What can happen
IF SUCH FAILURES OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE AT NIGHT OR IN RAINY OR SNOWY WEATHER, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
| 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | Built 1995-08-01 to 1995-12-31. |
|---|
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Investigated as EA00020
This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.
| EA00020 | Engineering analysis, opened 2000-08-10, closed 2002-10-09. LIGHT AND /WINDSHIELD WIPERS. EXTERIOR LIGHTING. |
|---|
From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| TT641402 | 2023-07-31. Service bulletin. To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex® ITEM 09117. |
|---|---|
| 101703 | 2003-12-18. Service bulletin. IGNITION SWITCH SPECIAL WARRANTY EXTENSION QUESTION AND ANSWER SHEET TO VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS. *TT |
| 0328 | 2003-12-18. Service bulletin. IGNITION SWITCH LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION 1996-1997 VEHICLES. *TT |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.