NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
507 reports201,700 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY 8/9/10 IN MY 2000 V W PASSAT AND MY CAR STARTED SMOKING THROUGH THE VENTS. NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE SMOKE. FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD TOTALLY ENGULFING THE ENTIRE CAR WITHIN MINUTES RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICL…
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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY 8/9/10 IN MY 2000 V W PASSAT AND MY CAR STARTED SMOKING THROUGH THE VENTS. NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE SMOKE. FLAMES BEGAN SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD TOTALLY ENGULFING THE ENTIRE CAR WITHIN MINUTES RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THIS EVENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348333
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric
MY 2000 VW PASSAT V6 ABS BRAKE MODULE HAS FAILED AND I GET THE STOP/ABS LIGHTS FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY, ALONG WITH WARNING BEEPS. THIS MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COSTS $1000+ TO FIX. VW NEEDS TO RECALL THESE MODELS IMMEDIATELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344739
82,051 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Visibility
I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT. A WEEK AGO I THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. TODAY MY FRONT PASSENGER REGULATOR FAILED. THIS SEEMED LIKE A LITTLE MORE THAN BAD LUCK. IT TURNS OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY VW OWNER WHO HAS HAD EXTREMELY BAD LUCK WITH THEIR WINDOW REGULAT…
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I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT. A WEEK AGO I THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. TODAY MY FRONT PASSENGER REGULATOR FAILED. THIS SEEMED LIKE A LITTLE MORE THAN BAD LUCK. IT TURNS OUT I'M NOT THE ONLY VW OWNER WHO HAS HAD EXTREMELY BAD LUCK WITH THEIR WINDOW REGULATORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341954
290,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Tires
AT AROUND 12:30 TODD MCFADDEN (STORE MANAGER OF DUNN TIRE LLC 1170 CENTRAL AVE. DUNKIRK, NY 14048) ADVISED TO [XXX] (TIRE TECH) TO APPLY A TIRE THAT HAD BEEN RUN ON FLAT FOR AN UNKNOWN DISTANCE ON A CUSTOMERS CAR WITH OUT THE CONSENT OR EVEN HAVING INFORMED THE CUSTOMER OF THIS 2000 VW PASSAT. [XXX] REFUSED SAID LABOR AND THE O…
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AT AROUND 12:30 TODD MCFADDEN (STORE MANAGER OF DUNN TIRE LLC 1170 CENTRAL AVE. DUNKIRK, NY 14048) ADVISED TO [XXX] (TIRE TECH) TO APPLY A TIRE THAT HAD BEEN RUN ON FLAT FOR AN UNKNOWN DISTANCE ON A CUSTOMERS CAR WITH OUT THE CONSENT OR EVEN HAVING INFORMED THE CUSTOMER OF THIS 2000 VW PASSAT. [XXX] REFUSED SAID LABOR AND THE ORDER WAS CARRIED OUT BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OF THE COMPANY. [XXX] WAS DISMISSED FROM HIS DUTIES FOR THE DAY AFTER REFUSING THE LABOR. HE ADVISED TO THE STORE MANAGER AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT MANAGER THAT THIS PRACTICE WAS UNSAFE AND COULD POTENTIALLY BE DEADLY TO THE INSTALLER OF THE TIRE AS WELL AS TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THE VEHICLE. BEING A NYS LICENSED SHOP THEY HAVE A DUTY TO KEEP THE CUSTOMER SAFE TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES AND THAT DID NOT HAPPEN TODAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335245
68,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FUEL LEAK HAS RECURRED, ~18 MONTHS LATER. LEAK CAN BE SEEN WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND IS THEN BACKED OUT OF GARAGE DOWN INCLINED DRIVEWAY. FUEL IS LEAKING FROM PASSENGER REAR WHEEL AREA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335220
146,000 miles · May 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE FREEWAY WAS CONGESTED AND I HAD JUST ACCELERATED QUICKLY TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID A SEMI TRUCK ENTERING THE FREEWAY ON MY RIGHT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID…
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VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE FREEWAY WAS CONGESTED AND I HAD JUST ACCELERATED QUICKLY TO MOVE INTO THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID A SEMI TRUCK ENTERING THE FREEWAY ON MY RIGHT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO APPLY CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM INCREASING SPEED. I THEN PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE TACHOMETER SHOWED THE ENGINE REVVING UP OVER THE RED LINE TO 7000 RPMS. FEARING THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT BE DAMAGED I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR AND CONTROLLED THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD. THE ACCELERATION SLOWED AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 30 SECONDS OR SO TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT A SUSTAINED 70 MPH WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MILES AND EVENTUALLY THE ACCELERATOR BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. DURING THE LAST PORTION OF SUSTAINING 70 MPH I TRIED SWITCHING CRUISE CONTROL ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES BUT THIS HAD NO EFFECT. AFTER I GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED, I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT HAVE INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DID NOT OBSERVE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328398
94,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2000 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION HAS 9K MILES. JUST RECENTLY THE ABS BRAKES LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE CAR PUTS ON THE BRAKES BY ITSELF. YOU ARE DRIVING 65 MPH AND THE CAR SLAMS ON THE BRAKES. FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT A BIG HOLE IN THE ROAD, BUT ONLY WITH THE FRONT WHEELS. VERY SCARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325733
148,000 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE BEEN HAVING DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF FOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON THE ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10321067
171,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE BLEW. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS MAKING A U TURN WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE RUPTURE OCCURRED IN THE RUBBER LINING. HE WAS THINKING IT WAS THE STEERIN…
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I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE BLEW. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS MAKING A U TURN WHEN IT HAPPENED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE RUPTURE OCCURRED IN THE RUBBER LINING. HE WAS THINKING IT WAS THE STEERING OF THE FRONT WHEELS ALL THE TIME. THE LEFT SIDE ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF WEAR. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH LINES. I FELT IT WAS TO MUCH OF AN URGENT MATTER TO NOT LET PEOPLE KNOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10320212
139,000 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS MODULE FAILURE. COMMON PROBLEM WITH UNIT. VW WANTS 1200 TO FIX BUT THEY REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ALL OF THE BOSCH ABS UNITS FROM THE PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319965
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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