NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
10 reportsClear category filter138,179 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other
MY HUSBAND PICKUP WOULD NOT START, SO I LIFT MY HOOD OF MY PASSAT TO GIVE HIM A JUMP AND THE WHOLE SECTION ALL THE WAY ACROSS THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY HAVE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF WATER JUST STANDING IN THERE. WE HAVE HAD SOME DOWN POURS OF RAIN,BUT RAIN WATER SHOULD NEVER BE STANDING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD. THIS COULD HAVE POTE…
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MY HUSBAND PICKUP WOULD NOT START, SO I LIFT MY HOOD OF MY PASSAT TO GIVE HIM A JUMP AND THE WHOLE SECTION ALL THE WAY ACROSS THAT HOLDS THE BATTERY HAVE AT LEAST 6 INCHES OF WATER JUST STANDING IN THERE. WE HAVE HAD SOME DOWN POURS OF RAIN,BUT RAIN WATER SHOULD NEVER BE STANDING ON THE INSIDE OF MY HOOD. THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY KILLED ME IF I NEVER HAD TO LIFT MY HOOD AND TRY TO DRIVE THIS WITH WATER STANDING AROUND ALL OF MY ELECTRICAL WIRES AND BATTERY. I HAVE TAKEN TWO PICTURES FOR VISIBILITY, BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO GET THAT WATER OUT WITHOUT ELECTROCUTING MYSELF. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA ODI #10724634
152,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
EngineStructureFire
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS 00 VW PASSAT . THIS CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT RUNNING AND DRIVING CAR. I BOUGHT IT IN FEB 10 2012 . ON SEPT 17 2012 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR TO MY SONS FOOTBALL GAME WITH MY MOTHER IN LAW. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN IT SHUTTERED AND SHUT OFF . SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A…
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I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS 00 VW PASSAT . THIS CAR HAS BEEN A GREAT RUNNING AND DRIVING CAR. I BOUGHT IT IN FEB 10 2012 . ON SEPT 17 2012 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR TO MY SONS FOOTBALL GAME WITH MY MOTHER IN LAW. SHE WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN IT SHUTTERED AND SHUT OFF . SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED AND WHEN SHE OPENED THE CAR DOOR THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD SHE WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND HELPED HER MOTHER OUT OF THE CAR. THE FLAMES WERE SPREADING SO FAST THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET ANYTHING OUT OF THE CAR. BY THE THE TIME THEY GOT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM THE CAR THE WHOLE CAR WAS ON FIRE. AND WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT BUT SOME MELTED THINGS IN THE TRUNK. I AM JUST HAPPY THEY MADE IT OUT OK BUT WHAT WORRIES ME IS THAT IT HAPPENED SO FAST AND THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR .I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THIS 00 PASSAT. I HAVE SEEN PICTURES AND VIDEO OF THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME RESULTS. SO RIGHT NOW I AM AT A TOTAL LOSS THIS BEING A SECOND CAR I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE ALL I CAN DO IS HOPE THAT SOMEONE CAN STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE AND IT SHOULD BE VOLKSWAGEN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND WHO OWNS THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM..... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475910
100,000 miles · Apr 27, 2009
Structure
2000 VW PASSAT HAS A WATER LEAK ON DRIVERS SIDE FLOORS AND UNDER PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR. THIS HAS CAUSED WIRE DAMAGE DISABLING ELECTRIC WINDOWS, LOCKS, GAS COVER RELEASE AND INTERIOR LIGHTS. I MAY HAVE EVEN DAMAGED TO AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH THROUGH VW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL S…
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2000 VW PASSAT HAS A WATER LEAK ON DRIVERS SIDE FLOORS AND UNDER PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR. THIS HAS CAUSED WIRE DAMAGE DISABLING ELECTRIC WINDOWS, LOCKS, GAS COVER RELEASE AND INTERIOR LIGHTS. I MAY HAVE EVEN DAMAGED TO AIRBAG SYSTEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH THROUGH VW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THE PROBLEM IT CAUSES ARE VERY SERIOUS. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH ASAP. IT IS COSTING CONSUMERS A LOT OF MONEY AND HURTING THE REPUTATION OF VW. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE, I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER VW AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE ELSE FROM BUYING ONE EITHER. I WILL GO OUT OF MY WAY TO SAY THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266834
116,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
StructureSuspension
THE CONTROL ARMS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. CONTROL ARMS SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER ONLY 116,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10242285
100,000 miles · Aug 10, 2006
Structure
A 2000 PASSAT STATION WAGON HAD WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER-SIDE FOOT WELL TWICE AFTER HEAVY RAINS. ONCE THE LEAK WAS MORE THAN AN INCH. ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN SECURELY CLOSED PRIOR TO THE RAINS. A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DASHBOARD RESULTED ON THE TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, LEADING TO APPROXI…
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A 2000 PASSAT STATION WAGON HAD WATER LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER-SIDE FOOT WELL TWICE AFTER HEAVY RAINS. ONCE THE LEAK WAS MORE THAN AN INCH. ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN SECURELY CLOSED PRIOR TO THE RAINS. A SERIES OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DASHBOARD RESULTED ON THE TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, LEADING TO APPROXIMATELY $3,500 IN REPAIRS. THE REPAIRS WERE TO THE ENGINE TIMING SYSTEM AND TO A MOTOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10165103
52,700 miles · Dec 21, 2005
Structure
BATTERY DRAIN WAS DESIGNED TOO SMALL, SO IT'S CLOGGED. THERE IS A WATER LEAK ENTERING FROM POLLEN FILTER THROUGH THE HOUSING DOWN TO TCM WHICH CAUSED A DAMAGE TO TCM(TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). ALTHOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SO IT DOESN'T COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING OUT O…
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BATTERY DRAIN WAS DESIGNED TOO SMALL, SO IT'S CLOGGED. THERE IS A WATER LEAK ENTERING FROM POLLEN FILTER THROUGH THE HOUSING DOWN TO TCM WHICH CAUSED A DAMAGE TO TCM(TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE). ALTHOUGH THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE SO IT DOESN'T COVER UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND THE GEAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF SECOND. SO I RESTARTED THE CAR THEN EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. BUT SHORTLY AFTER IT WENT BACK TO THE SAME. AND WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT YOUR FOOT ON BRAKE. VERY DANGEROUS. NOTHING HAS DONE FROM DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY YET NOR THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL . I'M STILL WAITING FOR A CALL BACK FROM VOLKSWAGEN. BUT THE DEALER WANTS ME TO REPAIR IT AT MY COST FOR $2000 EVEN THOUGH IT IS POWER TRAIN COMPONENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145850
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2005
Structure
AFTER RECENT RAIN, A POOL OF WATER COLLECTED ON THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR. ELECTRONICS ARE STARTING TO MALFUNCTION. APPRENTLY IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT HASNT BEEN RESOLVED. HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/ARCHIVE/INDEX.PHP/T-12789.HTML. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145571
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2004
EquipmentStructure
MOLDING ON THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE!!! THE DEALER NOR THE WARRANTY WANTS TO HELP ME OUT. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE OF THE MOLDING AND I WAS HOPING THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME!!!! AM I NOW NOT SUPPOSE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR TO PREVENT THE MOLDING BEING RIPPED OFF AS THE DOOR OPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!…
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MOLDING ON THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE!!! THE DEALER NOR THE WARRANTY WANTS TO HELP ME OUT. I WILL NOT PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE OF THE MOLDING AND I WAS HOPING THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME!!!! AM I NOW NOT SUPPOSE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR TO PREVENT THE MOLDING BEING RIPPED OFF AS THE DOOR OPENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????? *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056665
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2003
Structure
THE FLOOR WELL OF MY VW PASSAT BECOMES WET EVERY TIME IT RAINS. ACCORDINGLY TO THE VW DEALER THERE IS A CRACK IN THE POLLEN FILTER HOUSING WHICH RESULTS IN THE LEAK. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURING IN OTHER PASSATS, ALONG WITH ELECTRICAL FAILURES. BESIDES BEING INCONVENIENCED, MY CONCERN IS THE POTE…
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THE FLOOR WELL OF MY VW PASSAT BECOMES WET EVERY TIME IT RAINS. ACCORDINGLY TO THE VW DEALER THERE IS A CRACK IN THE POLLEN FILTER HOUSING WHICH RESULTS IN THE LEAK. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURING IN OTHER PASSATS, ALONG WITH ELECTRICAL FAILURES. BESIDES BEING INCONVENIENCED, MY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND/OR OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES WHICH COULD RESULT IN HARM TO DRIVER, PASSANGER(S) OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS. I WOULD LIKE VOLKSWAGEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DESIGN FAULT AND RESPOND ACCORDINGLY BY RECTIFYING THE ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10045945
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEADLAMP WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #565861
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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