NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
160 reportsClear category filter72,500 miles · Apr 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILING - USUALLY IN WARM WEATHER AFTER 15-20 MIN OF DRIVING THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASH AND A MESSAGE SAYING STOP/BRAKE FAULT IS DISPLAYED. THE FAULT MAY GO AWAY AFTER SOME TIME OR STAY. MY GUESS IS ABS IS DISABLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING THE ABS UNIT AT A COST OF $1300. THE…
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ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILING - USUALLY IN WARM WEATHER AFTER 15-20 MIN OF DRIVING THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON ON THE DASH AND A MESSAGE SAYING STOP/BRAKE FAULT IS DISPLAYED. THE FAULT MAY GO AWAY AFTER SOME TIME OR STAY. MY GUESS IS ABS IS DISABLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DEALER SUGGESTS REPLACING THE ABS UNIT AT A COST OF $1300. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN NEWS GROUPS ON THE WEB. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10118227
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
OWNER OF A 2000 PASSAT 1.8T. IKE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE A PROBLEM ON THE BOARD APPEARS THE MESSAGE: STOP/BREAK FAULT/SERVICE MANUAL.. ABS AND BREAK LIGHTS FLASHED ON. HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY WHEN I GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE SOME PARTS BUT AT THE END THE ISSUE STAYS AND NOT EVEN THE DEALER CAN GIVE M…
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OWNER OF A 2000 PASSAT 1.8T. IKE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE A PROBLEM ON THE BOARD APPEARS THE MESSAGE: STOP/BREAK FAULT/SERVICE MANUAL.. ABS AND BREAK LIGHTS FLASHED ON. HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY WHEN I GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE SOME PARTS BUT AT THE END THE ISSUE STAYS AND NOT EVEN THE DEALER CAN GIVE ME EXPLANATIONS OR HINTS OF HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE WHICH COSTS AROUND $1500 THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT VW SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10116348
65,000 miles · Mar 26, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2000 PASSAT 1.8T HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. I HAVE AN APPT ON MONDAY TO TAKE IT IN, BUT I STUMBLED ACROSS A WEB FORUM (HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=30&TSTART=0), AND NOW I PRETTY MUCH KNOW THE ANSWER I WILL GET, AND I SEE THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM: TH…
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MY 2000 PASSAT 1.8T HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. I HAVE AN APPT ON MONDAY TO TAKE IT IN, BUT I STUMBLED ACROSS A WEB FORUM (HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=30&TSTART=0), AND NOW I PRETTY MUCH KNOW THE ANSWER I WILL GET, AND I SEE THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM: THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHER MY INFO CENTER SAYS "BRAKE FAULT" AND THEN SAYS "STOP" ACCORDING TO THE FORUM, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER RECALL BECAUSE TO FIX IT TYPICALLY COSTS AROUND $2000 FOR A PART THAT FAILS (NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR OR USE)*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114799
75,698 miles · Mar 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS CONTROL MODULE ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS OUT, WE ALSO HAD A2001.5 PASSAT THAT HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WE TRADED IT IN. SO WHEN OUR SECOND CAR CAME UP WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL V.W, REPAIR SHOP AND THE MAN THERE SAID HIS PERSONAL CAR HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND V.W. REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. IN CALLED …
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ABS CONTROL MODULE ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IS OUT, WE ALSO HAD A2001.5 PASSAT THAT HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, WE TRADED IT IN. SO WHEN OUR SECOND CAR CAME UP WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL V.W, REPAIR SHOP AND THE MAN THERE SAID HIS PERSONAL CAR HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND V.W. REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. IN CALLED V. W. AND THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING OF THE SORTS. I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS AND IT SEEMS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE, CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP UNDER HEAVY BRAKING SITUATIONS. V. W DOES WANT TO REPLACE IT TIO THE TUNE OF $1400.00 AND WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL NUMBER WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE FIRST MODEL # IS DEFFECTIVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114733
62,000 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS CONTOL MODULE FAILURE
NHTSA ODI #10114660
62,000 miles · Mar 14, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD READSSTOP SERVICE MANUAL BRAKE FAULT. CAR TAKEN TO MECHANIC, COMPUTER CHECK REVEALED CODE 18057 DATABUS MISSING MESSAGE FROM ABS CONTROL MODULE. EXPENSE TO REPLACE ESTIMATED AT OVER 1500DOLLARS. CAR HAS 62000 MILES, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DURING THIS FAILURE TRACTION CONT…
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ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD READSSTOP SERVICE MANUAL BRAKE FAULT. CAR TAKEN TO MECHANIC, COMPUTER CHECK REVEALED CODE 18057 DATABUS MISSING MESSAGE FROM ABS CONTROL MODULE. EXPENSE TO REPLACE ESTIMATED AT OVER 1500DOLLARS. CAR HAS 62000 MILES, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DURING THIS FAILURE TRACTION CONTROL IS DISENGAGED ALONG WITH ABS SYSTEM, COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. AUTO MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THERE ARE 13 MODULES IN THE VEHICLE AND HE CANNOT REPLACE, VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER CAR WAS AT DEALER FOR 60000 MILE SERVICE BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND FOR A FRONT STEERING LINKAGE RECALL. DEALER STATED AT THAT VISIT THAT PASSAT NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS, THE "SECOND OPINION" MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE IS ZERO WEAR ON FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. MECHANIC SUGGESTED I CHECK RECALLS BECAUSE THIS IS THE 4TH VEHICLE HAS HAS HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS BRAKE MODULE FAILURE IS COMMON.
NHTSA ODI #10114074
62,000 miles · Mar 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2004 MY ABS STARTED TO FAILED IN MY 2000 PASSAT GLS. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST NEARLY $2200 TO FIX THIS. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND TRYING TO DIAGNOSE EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I STUMBLED ON SOME INFORMATION FROM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ AND HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/ ALSO HTTP://MY…
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IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2004 MY ABS STARTED TO FAILED IN MY 2000 PASSAT GLS. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST NEARLY $2200 TO FIX THIS. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND TRYING TO DIAGNOSE EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I STUMBLED ON SOME INFORMATION FROM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ AND HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/ ALSO HTTP://MYVWLEMON.COM/CGI-BIN/UBBCGI/ULTIMATE.CGI ALL OF THESE SITE HAD NUMEROUS OWNERS OF VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. I WONDERED WHY VW HAS NOT HAD A RECALL SINCE THERE WERE SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS CONTROL MODULES. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A COMPANY THAT REBUILDS THE ABS CONTROL MODULES FOR $350. AFTER GETTING IT REBUILD EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. I STILL THINK THIS ISSUE IS AN ERROR ON VW'S THE COMPANY AND THE SHOULD PAY FOR IT! THE ABS FAILING IS ONE THING BUT THE COST OF THE FIX IS OUTRAGEOUS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112467
90,000 miles · Feb 17, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT'S, MY ABS MODULE FAILED AND I WAS FORCED TO SPEND $1200 ON A NEW MODULE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS FAULTY PRODUCT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110689
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP. THEN, NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN PRESSED. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10109517
33,870 miles · Jan 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND "STOP" MESSAGE DISPLAYED INTERMITTENTLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10107584
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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