NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Air complaints
29 reportsClear category filter11,750 miles · Mar 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Air
MY 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT HAS STARTED REPORTING ERRORS, INCLUDING BRAKE FAULTS, ABS ERRORS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MECHANICS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THEY SIMPLY RESET THE CODES AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. A FEW HOURS OF DRIVING AND THE ERRORS COME BACK. ALL THE ERRORS ARE INTERMITENT. IT'S INCREDI…
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MY 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT HAS STARTED REPORTING ERRORS, INCLUDING BRAKE FAULTS, ABS ERRORS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MECHANICS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THEY SIMPLY RESET THE CODES AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. A FEW HOURS OF DRIVING AND THE ERRORS COME BACK. ALL THE ERRORS ARE INTERMITENT. IT'S INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING. OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND VW ONLY SAYS THAT OUR MODEL YEAR DOES NOT HAVE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES TO WARRANT A RECALL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS WITH THESE SYMPTOMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10185442
96,000 miles · Aug 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS MODULE FAILURE LEADS TO REDUCYTION OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS
NHTSA ODI #10133678
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO…
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VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO FAILURE OF ABS AND NOTES THAT THIS IS COMPUTER MODULE/ECM PROBLEM THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,000 TO REPAIR. OTHER COMPLAINTS AT THIS SITE AND ON OTHER SITES DOCUMENT A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AT SIMILAR MILEAGE (~75,000).
NHTSA ODI #10133672
60,000 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 60,000 MILES EXPERIENCED AN ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE - SYMPTOMS ARE ABS WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON, AND "STOP" SHOWN ON DISPLAY SCREEN. TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER WHO QUOTED ME $1185 USD TO REPLACE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSAT'S AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS P…
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ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. 2000 VW PASSAT WITH 60,000 MILES EXPERIENCED AN ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE - SYMPTOMS ARE ABS WARNING LIGHT TURNS ON, AND "STOP" SHOWN ON DISPLAY SCREEN. TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER WHO QUOTED ME $1185 USD TO REPLACE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSAT'S AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10128918
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
2 MAIN PROBLEMS CONTINUAL BUILDUP OF OIL SLUDGE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THE OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP EVENTUAL CLOGS A SCREEN THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO BE INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER THEN CHARGES $700 - $1000 TO REMEDY. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THE MODULE IS FALING AND WILL COST $700 - $900 …
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2 MAIN PROBLEMS CONTINUAL BUILDUP OF OIL SLUDGE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES. THE OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP EVENTUAL CLOGS A SCREEN THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO BE INOPERABLE AND THE DEALER THEN CHARGES $700 - $1000 TO REMEDY. THE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. THE MODULE IS FALING AND WILL COST $700 - $900 TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY 2000 PASSAT
NHTSA ODI #10127850
47,500 miles · Jun 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
DETAILS: (1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INC…
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DETAILS: (1) NO DISERNABLE EVENTS PRIOR (2) ABS MODULE FAILURE (3) NONE MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODULE CONTROLS MULTIPLE BRAKE-RELATED FUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR WINTER DRIVING, BUT THE MOST CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS MODULE IS PROBABLY THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION, OR EBD. THESE VEHICLES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF THE EBD IS INOPERATIVE, THE PROPORTION OF HYDRAULIC FORCE APPLIED TO THE REAR BRAKES DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING IS AS GREAT AS IT IS DURING MODERATE BRAKING EFFORT WHEN THERE IS MINIMAL TRANSFER OF VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. THE EBD IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING DISTRIBUTION DYNAMICALLY ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF THE DECELERATION, SO THAT THE REAR WHEELS WILL NOT LOCK UP DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. IF THIS MODULE SHOULD FAIL DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE REAR WHEELS COULD LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD EASILY INCLUDE FATALITIES. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR OWNERS, COSTING ROUGHLY $2000, AND MANY OWNERS HAVE PROBABLY PUT OFF THE REPAIR INDEFINITELY. EVIDENCE WHICH CAN BE FOUND THROUGH A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH, SUGGESTS THAT THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD, AND THAT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY LED TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, IT IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME. THIS PROBLEM IS GENUINE, AND VW/AUDI SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION."
NHTSA ODI #10125218
76,000 miles · Jun 13, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILS, FAILURE OF UPPER CONTROL ARMS
NHTSA ODI #10125069
57,000 miles · Jun 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS COMPUTER FAILURE. NO EVENTS LEADING TO ITS FAILURE IT JUST SHUT DOWN ONE DAY AND THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. FAILURE = NO ABS, DEALER WANTS OVER $1000 TO REPLACE ENTIRE SETUP HOWEVER THE PUMP IS OK THE COMPUTER IS GONE. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CHEAPER FIX OR POSSIBLE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10125057
97,400 miles · Jun 10, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A CYCLING MESSAGE IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD (STOP, BRAKE FAULT, CONSULT MANUAL). AFTER STOPPING CAR AND RESTARTING IT, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. AFTER ANOTHER FEW MILES, THEY CAME BACK ON... IN ONE OCCASION, THE ANTISLIPREGULATION LIGHT WAS ON. IN ANOTHER OCCASION, UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE…
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BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A CYCLING MESSAGE IN THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD (STOP, BRAKE FAULT, CONSULT MANUAL). AFTER STOPPING CAR AND RESTARTING IT, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. AFTER ANOTHER FEW MILES, THEY CAME BACK ON... IN ONE OCCASION, THE ANTISLIPREGULATION LIGHT WAS ON. IN ANOTHER OCCASION, UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE, A SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURED AS I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, PROMPTING ME TO USE THE EMERGENCY MANUAL BRAKE. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC OF THE FAILURE AT THE VW DEALERSHIP, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE (ELECTRONIC PART) WAS FAULTY. IT HAS NOW BEEN REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THIS WAS THEIR 3RD SIMILAR REPAIR IN 3 DAYS AND AS A RESULT OF BEING A FREQUENT FAILURE, VW HAD MADE A KIT TO REPLACE ONLY THE ELECTRONIC PART OF THE MODULE INSTEAD OF THE WHOLE MODULE. I HAVE KEPT THE OLD PART.
NHTSA ODI #10124931
46,004 miles · Jun 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 PASSAT WAGON THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK. THE ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY BEGAN CYCLING THROUGH THREE MESSAGES, "STOP", "BRAKE FAULT", "SERVICE MANUAL". THE DEALER FIRST SAID I NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS. I HAD IT DONE, AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. NOW …
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 PASSAT WAGON THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK. THE ALPHANUMERIC DISPLAY BEGAN CYCLING THROUGH THREE MESSAGES, "STOP", "BRAKE FAULT", "SERVICE MANUAL". THE DEALER FIRST SAID I NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS. I HAD IT DONE, AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. NOW THE DEALER SAYS THAT I NEED A NEW ABS CONTROL UNIT AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR $2200 + TAX. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF FAILURES REPORTED ON THIS PART, AND GIVEN THAT AUDI HAS RECALLED A VERY SIMILAR PART FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE VW "CUSTOMER ADVOCATE'S" POLITE RESPONSE THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP. ALTHOUGH I CAN LIVE W/O ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, I CAN'T LIVE WITH INTERMITTENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. ONE SHOULDN'T BE CHECKNG THE DASH IN AN EMERGENCY TO SEE WHETHER TO STOMP HARD, OR TO PUMP THE BRAKES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A COMMON ONE. MY CAR EHIBITED THIS PROBLEM AT 46004 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10124486
NHTSA investigations
7EA07014 · Passenger Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Sep 28, 2007 · Closed Jul 7, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA ON 04-APR-08 THAT A SAFETY RECALL ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.IN JUNE 2008, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (CODE 26E5/R5) REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO BE EMPLOYED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.VEHICLE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE SENT BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY JUNE 13, 2008.THE CAMPAIGN WAS ASSIGNED NHTSA NO. 08V-156.THIS RECALL AFFECTS ALL MY 1999-2005, 5TH GENERATION GASOLINE-POWERED PASSAT SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS.APPROXIMATELY 412,000 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF INSTALLING ADDITIONAL EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELDING TO MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL THERMAL EFFECTS OF ENGINE IGNITION PROBLEMS.BASED ON THIS ACTION, THE SUBJECT EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition
THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA ON 04-APR-08 THAT A SAFETY RECALL ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.IN JUNE 2008, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (CODE 26E5/R5) REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO BE EMPLOYED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.VEHICLE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE SENT BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY JUNE 13, 2008.THE CAMPAIGN WAS ASSIGNED NHTSA NO. 08V-156.THIS RECALL AFFECTS ALL MY 1999-2005, 5TH GENERATION GASOLINE-POWERED PASSAT SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS.APPROXIMATELY 412,000 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF INSTALLING ADDITIONAL EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELDING TO MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL THERMAL EFFECTS OF ENGINE IGNITION PROBLEMS.BASED ON THIS ACTION, THE SUBJECT EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA ON 04-APR-08 THAT A SAFETY RECALL ACTION WOULD BE INITIATED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE.IN JUNE 2008, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (CODE 26E5/R5) REGARDING THE SPECIFIC PROCEDURES TO BE EMPLOYED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.VEHICLE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS WERE SENT BEGINNING APPROXIMATELY JUNE 13, 2008.THE CAMPAIGN WAS ASSIGNED NHTSA NO. 08V-156.THIS RECALL AFFECTS ALL MY 1999-2005, 5TH GENERATION GASOLINE-POWERED PASSAT SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS.APPROXIMATELY 412,000 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED.CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF INSTALLING ADDITIONAL EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT SHIELDING TO MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL THERMAL EFFECTS OF ENGINE IGNITION PROBLEMS.BASED ON THIS ACTION, THE SUBJECT EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.
PE07024 · Passenger/engine Compartment Fires
Opened May 10, 2007 · Closed Sep 28, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition
MANY OF THE FIRE REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE FIRE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO IGNITION COIL FAILURE.VW PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DATA REGARDING ITS ANALYSIS OF VEHICLE FIRES AND A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE THREE DIFFERENT ENGINES AND IGNITION SYSTEMS FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODIFINDS THE NEED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.TO FACILITATE ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, THIS INVESTIGATIONHAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-014).
DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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.
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