NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
507 reports38,000 miles · Jun 21, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT READ THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT IS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A FUEL SENDER MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFERENCED RECALL # 01V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THEY STATED THAT…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT READ THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT IS PRESENT IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE IS CAUSED BY A FUEL SENDER MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFERENCED RECALL # 01V157000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THEY STATED THAT ONCE A RECALL REPAIR IS PERFORMED, THEY DO NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR AGAIN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 40,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AGAIN. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10193928
80,000 miles · Jun 11, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER HE NOTICED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE IS…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER HE NOTICED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OPEN FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH (NHTSA ACTION # PE07024). THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10192913
66,000 miles · May 21, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR IS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN W PASSAT,V6 ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH 68000 MILES ON IT. ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED. REPAIR COST WAS $1000. WEB AND FORUM SEARCHING SHOWED THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BOTH VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI. SEE TP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA? *THREADID=6316&START=0&TSTART=0 FOR NUMERIOUS EXAMPLES. …
Read full complaint
CAR IS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN W PASSAT,V6 ALL WHEEL DRIVE WITH 68000 MILES ON IT. ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED. REPAIR COST WAS $1000. WEB AND FORUM SEARCHING SHOWED THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BOTH VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI. SEE TP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA? *THREADID=6316&START=0&TSTART=0 FOR NUMERIOUS EXAMPLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10191369
78,000 miles · May 9, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingTires
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE PURCHASING OF CAR ~ ELECTRA AUTO SALES WAS AWARE OF THIS AND NOTED THIS WAS THEIR RECORDS THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN ME THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY ENGINE SYSTEM. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE SUBJECTED TO ALMOST BEING KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THE CAR STALLI…
Read full complaint
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE PURCHASING OF CAR ~ ELECTRA AUTO SALES WAS AWARE OF THIS AND NOTED THIS WAS THEIR RECORDS THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN ME THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY ENGINE SYSTEM. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE SUBJECTED TO ALMOST BEING KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THE CAR STALLING AND ROUGH IDLIING ~ PAUL VARGAS OWNER OF ELECTRA AUTO SALES HAS NOT RETURNED ANY CALLED BACK . AK
NHTSA ODI #10190269
51,971 miles · Apr 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IT WAS REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON, AND WHEN SHE ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE AIR PUMP AND FUSE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE RISK INVOLVED SINCE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,971 M…
Read full complaint
TL*CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IT WAS REPAIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON, AND WHEN SHE ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE AIR PUMP AND FUSE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE RISK INVOLVED SINCE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,971 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75200. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10188849
94,000 miles · Mar 29, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2000 PASSAT V6 GLX WAGON. IT HAS 94,000 MILES. THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO CERTIFIED IMPORT MECHANICS, WHO STATED THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR BRAKE FUNCTIONS. I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSA…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2000 PASSAT V6 GLX WAGON. IT HAS 94,000 MILES. THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO CERTIFIED IMPORT MECHANICS, WHO STATED THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR BRAKE FUNCTIONS. I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW ARE WE AS CONSUMERS SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHEN TO TAKE THE WARNING LIGHT SERIOUSLY? IN MY ONLINE INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY VOLKSWAGEN. THEY WERE CHARGED THOUSAND OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, AND VOLKSWAGEN NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THE WARNING LIGHTS STILL POPPED UP RANDOMLY. CONSUMERS PAY FOR A FEATURE SUCH AS ABS BRAKES FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR OWN SAFETY, BUT THIS VOLKSWAGEN SITUATION WAS DISCONCERTING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10186455
82,500 miles · Mar 28, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
PURCHASED MY 2000 PASSAT IN 2003, HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE. IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYTHING ON THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTROL ARMS, O2 SENSORS, TWICE, BELTS, STEREO DIDN'T TURN ON, ALL NEW HOSES RIGHT AWAY, ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS, AND NOW TO TOP IT ALL OFF, THE ABS LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. MY HUSBAND HAS A 2000 AUDI A…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED MY 2000 PASSAT IN 2003, HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE. IT SEEMED LIKE EVERYTHING ON THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTROL ARMS, O2 SENSORS, TWICE, BELTS, STEREO DIDN'T TURN ON, ALL NEW HOSES RIGHT AWAY, ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS, AND NOW TO TOP IT ALL OFF, THE ABS LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON. MY HUSBAND HAS A 2000 AUDI A4, VIRTUALLY THE SAME CAR, AND HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SAME THINGS. THE ABS SEEMED TO WORK FINE, BUT THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $1800 TO FIX IT. I LOOKED AT SOME ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER, (BOSCH OR VOLKSWAGEN, SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE AUGUST 2006 BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX IT! I AM COLLEGE STUDENT. HELP!
NHTSA ODI #10186383
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2007
Power Train
1) RAIN WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE , 2000 PASSAT, 6CYLINDER, AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION AND POOLED APPROXIMATELY 2-3 INCHES) IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOURCE OF LEAK WAS UNKNOWN. ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE CLOSED. *AK 2) THIS LED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, WHICH IS HOUSED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE, T…
Read full complaint
1) RAIN WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE , 2000 PASSAT, 6CYLINDER, AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION AND POOLED APPROXIMATELY 2-3 INCHES) IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOURCE OF LEAK WAS UNKNOWN. ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS WERE CLOSED. *AK 2) THIS LED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, WHICH IS HOUSED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE, TO BECOME WET AND MALFUNCTION. THE TRANSMISSION THEN BEGAN SHIFTING UP, AND DOWN ERRATICALLY, WHILE DRIVING. 3) THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1351 DOLLARS FOR THE PART AND $250 FOR LABOR. RESEARCH ON THE WEB INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S AND IS LIKELY DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WHICH CAUSES WATER TO DRAIN INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN CERTAIN DRAIN HOLES BECOME CLOGGED.
NHTSA ODI #10186094
58,900 miles · Mar 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ABS, ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER MODULE STARTED WITH THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON OR FLASHING FROM TIME TO TIME, THEN, ALL THE TIME, AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, WARNING - STOP SIGN CAME ON, AND THE TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. NEVER HAPPENED ALL THE TIME, BUT IT DID GET MUCH MORE FREQUENT , PROBABLY ABO…
Read full complaint
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ABS, ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER MODULE STARTED WITH THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON OR FLASHING FROM TIME TO TIME, THEN, ALL THE TIME, AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, WARNING - STOP SIGN CAME ON, AND THE TACHOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO. NEVER HAPPENED ALL THE TIME, BUT IT DID GET MUCH MORE FREQUENT , PROBABLY ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME THESE THINGS WERE HAPPENING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10185648
11,750 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…
Read full complaint
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
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.
Illustration