NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Air complaints
17 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
MORRISON AUTO GROUP REPAIRED REAR BRAKES AS THEY WERE STUCK. AFTER THIS REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING. THE TACHOMETER ALSO ZERO'S OUT. A WARNING NOISE ALSO OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. BRAKING WORKS BUT NO ABS AVAILABLE. I L…
Read full complaint
MORRISON AUTO GROUP REPAIRED REAR BRAKES AS THEY WERE STUCK. AFTER THIS REPAIR THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT CAME ON BLINKING. THE TACHOMETER ALSO ZERO'S OUT. A WARNING NOISE ALSO OCCURS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED. BRAKING WORKS BUT NO ABS AVAILABLE. I LIVE IN ALASKA AND CAN'T HAVE MY CAR WITHOUT ABS ESP DURING CRITICAL TIMES OF BRAKING. I HAVE READ ON TECH FORUMS FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD (MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF CARS). THE EXORBIRANT COST OF THIS REPAIR (AS STATED BY OTHERS) FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE FAILING WITHIN ITS LIFETIME.
NHTSA ODI #10134122
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED. $2200 FOR PART NO LABOR, SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MASSIVE FAILURES OR BOSCH 5.3 AND 5.3I UNIT USED IN PASSAT AND A4.
NHTSA ODI #10133673
24,000 miles · Jul 26, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS MODULE WARNING LIGHT & ALARM INDICATE FAILURE OF ABS
NHTSA ODI #10130134
103,000 miles · Jun 29, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
1) NORMAL DRIVING, HIGHWAY SPEED. 2)ABS WARNING LIGHT, ABS FAILURE UPON TESTING, ANNOYING BRAKE/ABS LIGHTS AND WARNING TONE 3) REPAIRED ABS CONTROL MODULE THROUGH REPAIR SERVICE. NOT THROUGH DEALER
NHTSA ODI #10127048
80,000 miles · Jun 27, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT STAYS ON WHILE I DRIVE MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND IN BAD WEATHER YOU CAN FEEL THAT ABS IS NOT WORKING. FROM VW PASSAT FORMS I UNDERSTOOD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 98+ PASSAT MODELS. I TALKED TO SOME LOCAL SHOPS AND THEY TOLD THEY ARE FAMILIAR…
Read full complaint
ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT STAYS ON WHILE I DRIVE MY CAR. THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY AND IN BAD WEATHER YOU CAN FEEL THAT ABS IS NOT WORKING. FROM VW PASSAT FORMS I UNDERSTOOD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 98+ PASSAT MODELS. I TALKED TO SOME LOCAL SHOPS AND THEY TOLD THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE VW DEALER. I TALKED TO A DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS $150 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND IF THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO ABS CIRCUIT OR SOMETHING THEN IT IS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $2000+. THAT IS AROUND 25% OF MY CARS CURRENT VALUE AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FACING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT VW'S RELIABILITY.
NHTSA ODI #10126782
83,730 miles · Jun 17, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Air
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT UP AND SOUND AN EMERGENCY. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO GARAGES, AND NEITHER PLACE CAN DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES I CANI FEEL MY ABS SYSTEM LOCK UP IF I AM TURNING (NOT IN ANY WET CONDITIONS); AND IN THOSE OCCASIONS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS HAD BEEN COMING TOWARD ME B/C I WAS UNA…
Read full complaint
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHT UP AND SOUND AN EMERGENCY. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO TWO GARAGES, AND NEITHER PLACE CAN DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES I CANI FEEL MY ABS SYSTEM LOCK UP IF I AM TURNING (NOT IN ANY WET CONDITIONS); AND IN THOSE OCCASIONS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO CARS HAD BEEN COMING TOWARD ME B/C I WAS UNABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. NEITHER MECHANIC SAW ANY FAULT IN MY BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, SHOES, ETC., SO THERE IS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL TO BLAME; AND THIS IS A COMPLAINT HEARD OFTEN WITH 1998-1999 VW PASSATS. EITHER WAY, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, ONLY 300.00 IN DIAGNOSTICS.
NHTSA ODI #10125701
89,000 miles · Jun 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
1998 PASSAT 1.8T B5 BODYSTYLE. BOUGH CAR AT 88,000 MILES USED FROM A DEALERSHIP WHO INSPECTED IT. ABS ABD BRAKE LIGHT GO ON AND STAY ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. PASSATWORLD WEBSITE SHOWS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WIHT THIS SAME PROBLEM VW NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. PART ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #10124377
79,890 miles · May 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
OUR 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 4 CYLINDER SEDAN (80K MILES) HAD INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS GO ON FOR THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKES. THE MANUAL STATES THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO REGULAR PATTERN TO THE LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT ONCE IT ST…
Read full complaint
OUR 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 4 CYLINDER SEDAN (80K MILES) HAD INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS GO ON FOR THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE BRAKES. THE MANUAL STATES THAT WHEN THE WARNING LIGHTS GO ON THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISABLED AND THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO REGULAR PATTERN TO THE LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT ONCE IT STARTED IT HAPPENED VIRTUALLY EVERY TRIP AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I DROVE FOR ABOUT A WEEK WITH THE LIGHT ON WITH NO APPARENT LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. I DID EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON (ON A HILL ON A RAINY DAY) AND SO DETERMINED IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON. WE CAME BACK WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON AND THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AT A COST OF $2600. WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THE REPAIR. WE DID NOT KEEP THE PREVIOUS PART. WE ARE DISTRESSED THAT A SINGLE PART FROM A SAFETY SYSTEM IS SO EXPENSIVE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IN AUDIS AND VWS. VISIT ANY ONLINE CAR FORUM AND IT IS FILLED WITH STORIES OF THIS REPAIR. BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL VOLKSWAGEN BE ALERTED TO THIS ISSUE AND A FORMAL COMPLAINT SHOULD BE REGISTERED ABOUT THIS SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #10122143
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WITH AUDIBLE WARNING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. ROOT PROBLEM IS THE ABS ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS MUCH WEB RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED THROUGH ONLINE PASSAT FORUMS.
NHTSA ODI #10120178
67,680 miles · Apr 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMLINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAD THE TROUBLE LIGHTS DIAGNOSED AT THE 70K SERVICE AND THE DEALER NOTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,800. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK, HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERABLE DUE …
Read full complaint
MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT BECAME ILLUMLINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAD THE TROUBLE LIGHTS DIAGNOSED AT THE 70K SERVICE AND THE DEALER NOTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,800. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO WORK, HOWEVER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERABLE DUE TO THE FAILED CONTROL MODULE. VOLKSWAGON WAS UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE SENT THE MODULE TO AN OUTSIDE VENDOR FOR A COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE UNIT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10116294
Official recalls
4Jan 25, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Sep 13, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE RODS OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLY ARE PROTECTED ON EACH SIDE BY A SEAL TO PREVENT MOISTURE AND DUST PARTICLES FROM ENTERING THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOME TIE ROD SEALS MAY NOT SEAL PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF MOISTURE AND/OR DUST PARTICLES ENTER THE SWIVEL BEARING MECHANISM, THE SWIVEL BEARING COULD WEAR OVER TIME DIMINISHING THE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIE RODS.
May 21, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. A CONTROL VALVE IN THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTING THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY NOT OPEN OR CLOSE FULLY AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -4 F UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE INSUFFICIENT VACUUM TO BE PROVIDED TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A VACUUM BY-PASS SYSTEM INTO VEHICLES OPERATED IN THESE STATES WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT VACUUM FOR FULL BRAKE ASSIST UNDER ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Jun 22, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE BACKFIRES DURING A COLD-START, AN AIR SCREEN WHICH IS LOOSELY SEATED IN THE AIR FLOW METER CAN BECOME DAMAGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SCREEN PIECES COULD ENTER THE INTAKE AIR FLOW SYSTEM AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM RETURNING TO ITS FULL IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING RING TO HOLD THE AIR SCREEN IN PLACE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA04017 · STUCK-OPEN Throttle
Opened Jun 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 10, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
VWOA HAS RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 VEHICLES IN COLD WEATHER STATES THAT EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST RATE OF THROTTLE ICING INCIDENTS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (04V-495).THE FAILURE RATE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES IS MUCH LOWER THAN IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EXPERIENCE IN THE A4 AND PASSAT VEHICLES.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS FOR THE AUDI A4 OR VW PASSAT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY A CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA03020 · Passenger Air Bag Lid Failure
Opened Oct 7, 2003 · Closed Apr 23, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal
THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON MAY 23, 2003 TO DETERMINE WHETHER ALLEGED PSIR LID DETACHMENT PRESENTS AN UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.ODI?S INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY OCCUR FOR TWO REASONS: 1) THE SHAPE OF THE PSIR LID, AND THE LENGTH OF THE ATTACHING TETHER, MAY SNAG THE AIR BAG DURING DEPLOYMENT APPLYING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE LID TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP); AND/OR 2) THE ORIGINAL PSIR LID DESIGN (SUBJECT VEHICLES) UTILIZED SIX GRADE 4.8 MM CARBON STEEL TACK WELD BOLTS WHICH MAY NOT BE AS STRONG AS THE NEW DESIGN PSIR LID CONSISTING OF SIX GRADE 8.8 MM CARBON STEEL PRESS BOLTS THAT ARE HEAT TREATED.ODI CONCLUDES THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID IS A DEFECT BECAUSE THE LID SHOULD REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE IP AFTER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG.HOWEVER, AFTER ANALYZING VW?S RESPONSES, AND TEST DATA COLLECTED BY VW AND FAURECIA, THE PSIR LID SUPPLIER, ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND BECAUSE A DETACHED PSIR LID AND PARTS DO NOT PROJECT TOWARDS A PASSENGER DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG.THE TEST DATA SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG PUSHES A DETACHED PSIR LID UPWARDS INTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING DEPLOYMENT, AND AWAY FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT A PASSENGER WOULD CONTACT THE PSIR LID OR ASSOCIATED PARTS DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THEREFORE THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA 03-020) IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PSIR LID AND TESTING, SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal
THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON MAY 23, 2003 TO DETERMINE WHETHER ALLEGED PSIR LID DETACHMENT PRESENTS AN UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.ODI?S INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY OCCUR FOR TWO REASONS: 1) THE SHAPE OF THE PSIR LID, AND THE LENGTH OF THE ATTACHING TETHER, MAY SNAG THE AIR BAG DURING DEPLOYMENT APPLYING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE LID TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP); AND/OR 2) THE ORIGINAL PSIR LID DESIGN (SUBJECT VEHICLES) UTILIZED SIX GRADE 4.8 MM CARBON STEEL TACK WELD BOLTS WHICH MAY NOT BE AS STRONG AS THE NEW DESIGN PSIR LID CONSISTING OF SIX GRADE 8.8 MM CARBON STEEL PRESS BOLTS THAT ARE HEAT TREATED.ODI CONCLUDES THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID IS A DEFECT BECAUSE THE LID SHOULD REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE IP AFTER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG.HOWEVER, AFTER ANALYZING VW?S RESPONSES, AND TEST DATA COLLECTED BY VW AND FAURECIA, THE PSIR LID SUPPLIER, ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND BECAUSE A DETACHED PSIR LID AND PARTS DO NOT PROJECT TOWARDS A PASSENGER DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG.THE TEST DATA SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG PUSHES A DETACHED PSIR LID UPWARDS INTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING DEPLOYMENT, AND AWAY FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT A PASSENGER WOULD CONTACT THE PSIR LID OR ASSOCIATED PARTS DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THEREFORE THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA 03-020) IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PSIR LID AND TESTING, SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.
Air Bags
THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) LID UTILIZED IN MY 1998-2002 VW PASSAT.THE PSIR LID MAY DETACH FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) OPENED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION ON MAY 23, 2003 TO DETERMINE WHETHER ALLEGED PSIR LID DETACHMENT PRESENTS AN UNREASONABLE SAFETY RISK TO PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.ODI?S INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY OCCUR FOR TWO REASONS: 1) THE SHAPE OF THE PSIR LID, AND THE LENGTH OF THE ATTACHING TETHER, MAY SNAG THE AIR BAG DURING DEPLOYMENT APPLYING ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON BOLTS THAT FASTEN THE LID TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP); AND/OR 2) THE ORIGINAL PSIR LID DESIGN (SUBJECT VEHICLES) UTILIZED SIX GRADE 4.8 MM CARBON STEEL TACK WELD BOLTS WHICH MAY NOT BE AS STRONG AS THE NEW DESIGN PSIR LID CONSISTING OF SIX GRADE 8.8 MM CARBON STEEL PRESS BOLTS THAT ARE HEAT TREATED.ODI CONCLUDES THAT DETACHMENT OF THE PSIR LID IS A DEFECT BECAUSE THE LID SHOULD REMAIN ATTACHED TO THE IP AFTER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG.HOWEVER, AFTER ANALYZING VW?S RESPONSES, AND TEST DATA COLLECTED BY VW AND FAURECIA, THE PSIR LID SUPPLIER, ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND BECAUSE A DETACHED PSIR LID AND PARTS DO NOT PROJECT TOWARDS A PASSENGER DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG.THE TEST DATA SHOWS THAT THE AIRBAG PUSHES A DETACHED PSIR LID UPWARDS INTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING DEPLOYMENT, AND AWAY FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT A PASSENGER WOULD CONTACT THE PSIR LID OR ASSOCIATED PARTS DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.THEREFORE THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA 03-020) IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. FOR A DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PSIR LID AND TESTING, SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.
PE03021 · Passenger Sir Door Mounting Stud Failure
Opened May 23, 2003 · Closed Oct 7, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-021) BASED ON TWO REPORTS OF FAILED BOLT STUDS THAT ATTACH THE PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (PSIR) DOOR COVER TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL (IP) ON THE VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT (MODEL YEARS 2000, 2002).VW HAS INDICATED TO ODI THAT IT HAS NO ADDITIONAL REPORTS.VW IMPLEMENTED A PROCESS CHANGE ON MARCH 1, 2002.THIS PROCESS CHANGE CONSISTED OF CHANGING THE BOLT APPLICATION THAT FASTENS THE PSIR DOOR TO THE IP FROM A WELD ON APPLICATION TO A PRESS ON APPLICATION.VW ALSO CHANGED THE MATERIAL OF THE BOLT.VW STATED THAT THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO EASE PRODUCTION BY ELIMINATING A WELDING PROCESS.ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-020).
EA00028 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Dec 28, 2000 · Closed Jan 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
No summary supplied.
PE00033 · Fuel Tank Puncture
Opened Aug 10, 2000 · Closed Dec 28, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON AUGUST 10, 2000 BASED ON 9 REPORTS REGARDING PUNCTURED FUEL TANKS INVOLVING THE JETTA, PASSAT, AND CABRIO MODELS.THE REPORTS INDICATE ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
RQ99008 · Power Brake Booster Vacuum BY-PASS
Opened Jun 1, 1999 · Closed Nov 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
Illustration