1996 Volkswagen Passat Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1996 Volkswagen Passat covers four trims, GLS, GLX, GLX VR6 and TDI, on four-door sedans and wagons. The TDI name reflects a turbocharged 1.9L diesel inline-four with a single overhead camshaft. The gasoline engines are a naturally aspirated single-cam 2.0L inline-four and a single-cam 2.8L V6. Procedures, specifications, torque values, wiring diagrams and diagnostics are provided for the engine, fuel system, cooling, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering and electrical system.

Engines covered

• 1.9L inline-four (116 cu in) — SOHC, turbocharged, diesel
• 2.0L inline-four (121 cu in) — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 2.8L V6 — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan
• 4-door wagon

Trims covered

• GLS
• GLX
• GLX VR6
• TDI

Known issues on the 1996 Passat. NHTSA records 1 recall for the 1996 Passat, covering 10450 vehicles. On certain 1996 Passat vehicles, an electrical failure inside the ignition switch could knock out the headlights and windshield wipers, a serious hazard at night or in rain or snow. Dealers replaced that electrical portion of the switch. The electrical system leads the 142 owner complaints with 54, followed by visibility at 21, latches, locks and linkages at 19 and power train at 13. Five of those reports mentioned an injury, 2 described a crash and 1 involved a fire. Ignition and electrical system procedures, wiring diagrams and diagnostics are in the manual.