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1998 Volkswagen Passat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Passat years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

127 reports with mileage · 204 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 90 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

70 reports
Clear category filter
92,600 miles · Apr 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I DRIVE A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF ANNOYING WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ABS SYSTEM I TOOK THE CARTO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALL DAY, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS OVERFILLED. HE …

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I DRIVE A 1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS OF ANNOYING WARNINGS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY ABS SYSTEM I TOOK THE CARTO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HE HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE SYSTEM ALL DAY, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS OVERFILLED. HE FIXED THAT MINOR PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, I FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER - HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN ON REISTERSTOWN ROAD IN OWINGS MILLS, MD. THEY HOOKED A SCANNER UP TO IT AS WELL, AND FOUND THAT I NEEDES A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT. THIS WAS A PART THAT, THEY SAID, WOULD COST $3,000 JUST FOR THE PART! AFTER DOING MY OWN RESEARCH, IT SEEMED THIS WAS ONE OF MANY VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS THAT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, BUT EVERY ONE WAS BEING CHARGED $1,500 FOR THE PART. THIS OUGHT TO BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND HERITAGE VOLKSWAGEN OUGHT TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR OVERCHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117921

95,000 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116811

77,700 miles · Mar 26, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 VW PASSAT, 4-CYLINDER, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILE. THE ABS BRAKES WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (FEBRUARY 27, 2005). I CONSULTED WITH MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS BRAKES WERE NECESSARY IN WET OR ICY WEATHER IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ACCIDEN…

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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1998 VW PASSAT, 4-CYLINDER, 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AUTOMOBILE. THE ABS BRAKES WARNING LIGHT CAME ON (FEBRUARY 27, 2005). I CONSULTED WITH MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS BRAKES WERE NECESSARY IN WET OR ICY WEATHER IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESULT IN ANY ACCIDENT OR INJURY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MARCH 21, 2005. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED THE ABS PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. THE DEALER (NEW CENTURY VOLKSWAGEN IN GLENDALE, CA) QUOTED A PRICE OF $3125, PARTS AND LABOR, TO FIX. I AM UNABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE EXPENSE. RESEARCH ONLINE AND IN DISCUSSING WITH INDEPENDENT VW MECHANICS REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VW. I CHECKED WITH AN INDEPENDENT VW MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT THE PRICE OF ABS USED PARTS IS RAPIDLY RISING. IN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE FOR A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=173334&PAGE=1&PP=30&HIGHLIGHT=ABS+MODULE . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114795

68,808 miles · Mar 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE WARNING BELLS SOUNDED FOLLOWED BY BLINKING RED BRAKE, AND SOLID AMBER ABS LIGHT IN DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. ABS MODULE WAS DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK AGAIN.*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10109050

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1) ABS WARNING LIGHT/SOUNDER CAME ON, TOLD BY DEALER THAT ABS SYSTEM WAS OUT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1800 BEFORE ANY OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTER. 2) DID NOT FIX THIS, WHICH LED TO THEIR EXCUSE THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE OTHER ISSUES, BUT "DID THEIR BEST" TO FIX ACCELERATION PROBLEMS …

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1) ABS WARNING LIGHT/SOUNDER CAME ON, TOLD BY DEALER THAT ABS SYSTEM WAS OUT, WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1800 BEFORE ANY OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS COULD BE DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTER. 2) DID NOT FIX THIS, WHICH LED TO THEIR EXCUSE THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE OTHER ISSUES, BUT "DID THEIR BEST" TO FIX ACCELERATION PROBLEMS (REPLACED HOSES AND PLUGS) 3) CURRENT ACCELERATION PROBLEM MIRACULOUSLY DIAGNOSED AS SOME SORT OF POWER REGULATOR DEVICE W/O MENTION OF FIXING THE ABS SYSTEM SO THAT COMPUTER "COULD GET PAST IT" 4)ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING MOON ROOF OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, DOOR LOCKS OPENING AND CLOSING AT WILL, INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT SHUTTING OFF AND ALARM GOING OFF ALL BY ITSELF (UNABLE TO LOCK DOORS B/C IT SETS THE ALARM) 5) NOW DEALER SAYS THAT IT'S A BATTERY PROBLEM AND RESETTING EVERYTHING SHOULD FIX IT ALL, INCLUDING THE ABS LIGHT PROBLEM. CAN YOU SAY RIP-OFF?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110657

122,550 miles · Jan 31, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1. EVENTS: ABS LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NOW FLASHES WITH 3 BEEPS AND STAYS ON. 2. FAILURES: I HAVE NO WORKING ABS IN THE CAR. 3. CORRECTION: HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP THAT THE ABS MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING W…

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1. EVENTS: ABS LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NOW FLASHES WITH 3 BEEPS AND STAYS ON. 2. FAILURES: I HAVE NO WORKING ABS IN THE CAR. 3. CORRECTION: HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT VW REPAIR SHOP THAT THE ABS MODULE IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND MUST BE REPLACED. THIS MODULE IS A DEALER-ONLY PART ($2,038). NOTE THAT THIS COST IS FOR THE PART ONLY AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I'VE CONTACTED 3 OTHER INDEPENDENT VOLKSWAGEN/AUDI REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY'VE ADVISED THAT THEY'VE REPAIRED AN IN ORDINATE NUMBER OF THESE ABS SYSTEMS IN VOLKSWAGENS. ONE SHOP INDICATED HE REPAIRS/REPLACES VW ABS AT LEAST 4 TIMES A MONTH, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT VW DEALERS ARE LIKELY DOING A LOT MORE OF THESE REPAIRS, YET THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY RECALL EFFORT ON VW'S PART. I'VE NOTIFIED VW AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST OF FIXING IT SINCE A RECALL NOTICE HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE ON 1/27/05. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TOTAL COST TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $2500. *JB *SC

NHTSA ODI #10107650

143,000 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE PART WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $2,000.00. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10107797

65,000 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE ABS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE (IT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH T…

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COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHENEVER THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS DO NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION. THE ABS LIGHT NOW STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD ABS CONTROL MODULE (IT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER) AND STATED THAT THE ABS PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTED COST OF A NEW ABS PUMP WAS $2250." *JB

NHTSA ODI #10107445

78,000 miles · Dec 17, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VW PASSAT 1998 HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE ABS LIGHT STAYS SOLID AND BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. THIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS TAKEN NO MEASURES TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE SHIFTED RESPONSIBILITY ON THE CONSUMER TO PAY THEM EXTRA $ 2000.00 TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104042

75,000 miles · Dec 10, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102574

Official recalls

4

02V026000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jan 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.

99V248000 · Steering:linkages:rod:relay:connecting

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.

99V131001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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.

98V134000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

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

6

EA04017 · 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