NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
507 reports59,795 miles · Mar 7, 2005
Steering
WE TOOK OUR 2000 VW PASSAT IN TO THE VW DEALER FOR STATE SAFETY AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND THAT THE PASSANGER SIDE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON ALSO. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE WAS SHOCKED HOW BAD OF CONDITION THEY WERE A YEAR 2000 AND HAVING 55,00…
Read full complaint
WE TOOK OUR 2000 VW PASSAT IN TO THE VW DEALER FOR STATE SAFETY AND WERE TOLD THAT OUR DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AND THAT THE PASSANGER SIDE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED SOON ALSO. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION AND HE WAS SHOCKED HOW BAD OF CONDITION THEY WERE A YEAR 2000 AND HAVING 55,000 MILES. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT OUTER TIE ROD END; LINK ROD; AND LEFT FRONT UPPER BALL JOINT TOTAL COST WAS 370.00 AND WE WILL NEED TO DO THE SAME SOON FOR THE LEFT FRONT SIDE VERY SOON. I AM APPALLED THAT VW IS AWARE OF THESE COMPLAINTS IN THE 2000 MODEL AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112680
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2005
Power Train
1) I WAS DRIVING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY (I-75) WHEN I SAW SOMEONE DRIVING ERRATICALLY, WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR. HE LOOKED CLOSE TO HITTING ME, SO I ACCELERATED TO NOT ALLOW HIS CAR TO DO THIS.*AK 2) AFTER STEPPING ON THE GAS, AND GETTING OUT OF DANGER, MY CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WOULD STEP ON TH…
Read full complaint
1) I WAS DRIVING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY (I-75) WHEN I SAW SOMEONE DRIVING ERRATICALLY, WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR. HE LOOKED CLOSE TO HITTING ME, SO I ACCELERATED TO NOT ALLOW HIS CAR TO DO THIS.*AK 2) AFTER STEPPING ON THE GAS, AND GETTING OUT OF DANGER, MY CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WOULD STEP ON THE BRAKE, AND IT WOULD SLOW, BUT ONCE I LET OFF ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULD SURGE FOWARD (WITHOUT ME EVEN PRESSING THE GAS). I DID NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT ALL. 3) I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE CAR STOP SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGWAY, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE AND THAT WAS ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THOUGH IF THERE WAS MORE TRAFFIC I WORRY IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL OF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY, WHILE HAVING TO PRESS MY BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME. 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT V6
NHTSA ODI #10112524
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…
Read full complaint
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
55,000 miles · Mar 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
IF FOUND ON WWW.EPA.GOV A RECALL FOR EMISSION ON THE PASSAT 2.8L. MFR RECALL # WE/LK, EPA# 1694. THE EXACT DEFECT WAS FOUND ON MY PASSAT 1.8L. VACUUM SUPPLY WITHIN THE SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM IS LOST WHEN THE SECONDARY AIR VACUUM HOSES DISCONNECT FROM THE SYSTEM CONTROL VALVE. THE RUBBER VACUUM HOSE CONNECTORS SPLIT AND SEPARAT…
Read full complaint
IF FOUND ON WWW.EPA.GOV A RECALL FOR EMISSION ON THE PASSAT 2.8L. MFR RECALL # WE/LK, EPA# 1694. THE EXACT DEFECT WAS FOUND ON MY PASSAT 1.8L. VACUUM SUPPLY WITHIN THE SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM IS LOST WHEN THE SECONDARY AIR VACUUM HOSES DISCONNECT FROM THE SYSTEM CONTROL VALVE. THE RUBBER VACUUM HOSE CONNECTORS SPLIT AND SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM CONNECTION THE VALVE DUE TO HEAT DISSIPATION IN THAT AREA. THE SECONDARY AIR HOSE PART# 058133817D. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FOR THE EMISSION WORKSHOP. MY REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO RECALL NOT COVERING MY VIN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112452
72,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
ABS CONTROL UNIT AND PUMP FAILURE ON VW PASSAT 2000 @ 72K MILES. THIS IS NOT A STANDARD FAILURE IN MY MIND. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT JUST OCCURED. SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM FROM VW.
NHTSA ODI #10112319
81,385 miles · Feb 23, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
MY CAR HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS,FIRST I PURCHASE MY PASSAT IN NOVEMBER OF 2000.SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED TWO UPPER CONTROL ARMS,TWO TI RODS.I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER SAID I DIDN'T NEED THEM REPLACED.WHILE DRIVING FROM MY SISTER'S HOUSE THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH BOARD…
Read full complaint
MY CAR HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS,FIRST I PURCHASE MY PASSAT IN NOVEMBER OF 2000.SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED TWO UPPER CONTROL ARMS,TWO TI RODS.I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER SAID I DIDN'T NEED THEM REPLACED.WHILE DRIVING FROM MY SISTER'S HOUSE THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON MY DASH BOARD AND SAID STOP BRAKE FALUIRE.I TOOK IN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THE DEALER SAID MY ABS MODULE NEEDS REPLACING AND IT COST $1300 PLUS LABOR.I JUST PAIDED $1500+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE MY GENERATOR AND BATTERY ON MY CAR.THE DEALER ALSO SAID I NEED TO PEPLACE MY MOTOR MOUNTS AND VALVE COVER GASKETS. I UNDERSTAND THE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR ,BUT THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT ANNUAL REPAIRS ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT WAGON CAR WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10112020
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
61,000 miles · Feb 16, 2005
SteeringSuspension
UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE FAILING AND DANGEROUS, WHICH IS LEADING TO THE TIE RODS FAILING. I AM TOLD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VW QUOTED ME $1100 TO MAKE MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM PUZZLED THAT VW IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE SEEN MANY WEBSITES ASKING FOR OWNERS TO CONTACT NHT…
Read full complaint
UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE FAILING AND DANGEROUS, WHICH IS LEADING TO THE TIE RODS FAILING. I AM TOLD THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. VW QUOTED ME $1100 TO MAKE MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM PUZZLED THAT VW IS UNCONCERNED ABOUT LIFE AND SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE OWNER AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE SEEN MANY WEBSITES ASKING FOR OWNERS TO CONTACT NHTSA ABOUT THIS ISSUE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110661
60,586 miles · Feb 11, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. WE HAD IT TOWED TO MINUTEMAN VW IN BEDFORD, MA AND THEY SAID THAT THE OIL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THAT BOTH THE OIL PUMP AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,320.00. THE 2000 PASSAT HAS 60,586 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AT 55,478 MILES. …
Read full complaint
THE CAR WAS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED. WE HAD IT TOWED TO MINUTEMAN VW IN BEDFORD, MA AND THEY SAID THAT THE OIL PUMP HAD FAILED AND THAT BOTH THE OIL PUMP AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,320.00. THE 2000 PASSAT HAS 60,586 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE AT 55,478 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, BUT WHEN THEY SUBMITTED OUR CLAIM TO VW THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT BECAUSE THEY SAID I NEEDED TO PROVIDE COPIES OF EVERY OIL CHANGE RECEIPT FOR THE PAST 4 1/2 YEARS. I WAS ABLE TO FIND 4 RECEIPTS, BUT I DO NOT SEE ANYWHERE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL WHERE IT CLEARLY AND EXPLICITLY STATES THAT WARRANTY REPAIRS WILL ONLY BE PERFORMED IF ALL RECEIPTS FOR ALL SERVICES PERFORMED ON THE CAR ARE PROVIDED. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS CAR WHICH RELATE TO ENGINE PROBLEMS AND WOULD LIKE THIS DEFECT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL. THANK YOU. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110325
59,000 miles · Feb 10, 2005
Suspension
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF FRONT END PARTS (TIE-RODS, UPPER LINKS) WHEN CAR HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10110261
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