NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
455 reports61,000 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Electrical System
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS EXPERIENCED A COIL PACK FAILURE CAUSING A REDUCTION IN POWER, AND THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE. ACCORDING TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THE HOUSING OF THE COIL PACK WAS CRACKED WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE TO AFFECT ITS OPERATION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR 4 CYLINDER EN…
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MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HAS EXPERIENCED A COIL PACK FAILURE CAUSING A REDUCTION IN POWER, AND THE ENGINE TO MISFIRE. ACCORDING TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THE HOUSING OF THE COIL PACK WAS CRACKED WHICH ALLOWED MOISTURE TO AFFECT ITS OPERATION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR 4 CYLINDER ENGINES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557087
94,000 miles · Oct 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
ALL WARNING INDICATORS (ABS, CEL, AIRBAG, ECP, BATTERY AND OTHER INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIGHTS) WOULD FLICKER REPETITIVELY UNTIL THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ALTERNATOR CABLE THAT ATTACHES TO THE FUSE BOX LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY WAS MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND CAUSIN…
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ALL WARNING INDICATORS (ABS, CEL, AIRBAG, ECP, BATTERY AND OTHER INSTRUMENT DASH PANEL LIGHTS) WOULD FLICKER REPETITIVELY UNTIL THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ALTERNATOR CABLE THAT ATTACHES TO THE FUSE BOX LOCATED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY WAS MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND CAUSING POWER DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BOTH BE REPLACED AS THE CABLE COULD HAVE BECOME HIGH RESISTANCE THEREBY CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT AT THE FUSE BOX. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR CABLE REPLACED WITH AN OEM PART AND THE FUSE BOX WITH AN AFTERMARKET PART. ON 10-9-13 WITH 104K MILES WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT 6AM IN THE MORNING, THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS WERE EXPERIENCED AGAIN. LUCKILY I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHICH SAID THAT ALL OEM PARTS SHOULD BE USED AND THAT THIS IS COMMON AS THEY HAD JUST REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR CABLE ON ANOTHER JETTA OF THE SAME GENERATION. I REQUESTED THE DEALER CHECK THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ALTERNATOR BECAUSE THE PARTS THAT WERE INSTALLED LAST YEAR SHOULD NOT GO BAD IN 1 YEAR, THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO OTHER ISSUE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING A MELTING FUSE BOX. AT THE LINKS BELOW ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING, EVEN ACROSS OTHER VW MODELS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM OF MELTING OF FUSE BOXES WHICH CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. (WITH PICTURES) HTTP://FORUMS.FOURTITUDE.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4562591 HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4682918-WHY-S-MY-FUSE-BOX-MELTING HTTP://NEWBEETLE.ORG/FORUMS/QUESTIONS-ISSUES-CONCERNS-PROBLEMS-NEW-BEETLE/28982-BATTERY-FUSE-BOX-MELTING-04-NEW-BEETLE.HTML HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4705261-BATTERY-LIGHT-FLICKERING-ON-ACCELERATION HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4829541-BURNT-BLACK-CABLE-FUSE-BOX-ON-TOP-OF-BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547473
90,000 miles · Sep 28, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages
I STARTED EXPERIENCING A HOT SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT IN THE FALL OF 2012. I HAVE TO PUT A CUSHION BETWEEN MY RIGHT LEG AND THE SEAT OR IT WILL NEARLY BURN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE O2 SENSOR OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHENEVER IT RAINS AND IT'S COOL WEATHER. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER, SPUTTER AND LU…
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I STARTED EXPERIENCING A HOT SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT IN THE FALL OF 2012. I HAVE TO PUT A CUSHION BETWEEN MY RIGHT LEG AND THE SEAT OR IT WILL NEARLY BURN. I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE O2 SENSOR OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHENEVER IT RAINS AND IT'S COOL WEATHER. THE CAR WILL LOSE POWER, SPUTTER AND LURCH UNTIL IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE THEN IT ACTS NORMALLY. FINALLY, FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS THE REAR DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY OR BY HITTING THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. I JUST REACHED THE 100K MARK AND KEEP UP REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR SO I'M A LITTLE UPSET THAT THINGS LIKE THIS ARE HAPPENING SO EARLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546042
40,000 miles · Sep 21, 2013
Electrical System
REAR PASSENGER DOORS FAIL TO RESPOND TO KEY FOB. STAY LOCKED/ UNLOCKED.
NHTSA ODI #10544779
100,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE NOTICED A BURNING CRAYON SMELL IN MY 2003 VW JETTA FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR DETAILED AND HAD THE DEALER CLEAN THE AC DUCTS YET THE SMELL REMAINS - AND GETS STRONGER IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER DAYS. I SEE OTHERS HAVE LISTED COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE - AND THE SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL UNDER THE CARPET SEEMS TO…
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I HAVE NOTICED A BURNING CRAYON SMELL IN MY 2003 VW JETTA FOR A FEW MONTHS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR DETAILED AND HAD THE DEALER CLEAN THE AC DUCTS YET THE SMELL REMAINS - AND GETS STRONGER IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER DAYS. I SEE OTHERS HAVE LISTED COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE - AND THE SOUND DEADENER MATERIAL UNDER THE CARPET SEEMS TO BE THE CULPRIT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL AFFECT BREATHING AND COULD BE TOXIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10526178
145,000 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFire
THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. WHILE IT WAS PARKED, NEIGHBORS RAN OVER TO REPORT IT WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. WE SAW THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, BUT FIRE HAD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY GROUND …
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THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN. WHILE IT WAS PARKED, NEIGHBORS RAN OVER TO REPORT IT WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD. WE SAW THAT THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, BUT FIRE HAD ALREADY EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY GROUND AND SAID THE WIRES GOING TO THE COOLING FAN HAD SET ON FIRE. ALL OF THIS WAS SPONTANEOUS. ENGINE WAS NOT ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515974
64,000 miles · Apr 15, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages
I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GL 1.8 T, WHEN I PRESS THE LOCK BUTTON, THE CAR DOORS DO NOT ALL LOCK, OR WILL WORK SOMETIMES, I ALSO AM NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THE TRUNK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS MORE THEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO GET THE TRUNK OPEN I HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH SPACE AND PULL THE …
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I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN GL 1.8 T, WHEN I PRESS THE LOCK BUTTON, THE CAR DOORS DO NOT ALL LOCK, OR WILL WORK SOMETIMES, I ALSO AM NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THE TRUNK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS MORE THEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, IN ORDER TO GET THE TRUNK OPEN I HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH SPACE AND PULL THE EMERGENCY LEVER INSIDE THE TRUNK, IN ORDER TO LOCK THE CAR I HAVE TO MANUALLY PUSH DOWN THE LOCKS WHEN THE KEY DOESN'T WORK AND 40 % OF THE TIME I OR A PASSENGER GETS LOCKED IN THE CAR, UNTIL IT DECIDES TO GIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508337
83,766 miles · Mar 24, 2013
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE PASSENGER SIDE OVERHEAD AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504313
153,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsInjury
BOTH FRONT SEATS, THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE BOLSTER BURNED. THE HEATED FRONT SEATS WILL OVER HEAT, THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE CONFINED TO THE RIGHT BOLSTER ON THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE SEAT. THE HEATING ELEMENTS GET HOT ENOUGH TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL. BEING THE SIDE OF THE SEAT I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT MY LEG AWAY AND POWER OFF …
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BOTH FRONT SEATS, THE BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE BOLSTER BURNED. THE HEATED FRONT SEATS WILL OVER HEAT, THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE CONFINED TO THE RIGHT BOLSTER ON THE BOTTOM SECTION OF THE SEAT. THE HEATING ELEMENTS GET HOT ENOUGH TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL. BEING THE SIDE OF THE SEAT I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT MY LEG AWAY AND POWER OFF THE HEATED SEAT. IF LEFT ON THE SEATS WILL START TO SMOKE. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, I HAVEN'T TRIED , BUT IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE SEAT COULD CATCH ON FIRE IF LEFT ON. THE LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE REP SAID JUST UNPLUG IT THE OPTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500938
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2012
SeatsInjury
AFTER NOTICING FOR WEEKS THAT MY HEATED SEATS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN TURNED TO 5 (PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL), MY LEG BEGAN BURNING WHILE DRIVING. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND LOOKED DOWN TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY SEAT AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF AND HAVEN'T TURNED IT…
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AFTER NOTICING FOR WEEKS THAT MY HEATED SEATS WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN TURNED TO 5 (PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL), MY LEG BEGAN BURNING WHILE DRIVING. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND LOOKED DOWN TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY SEAT AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF IT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF AND HAVEN'T TURNED IT ON SINCE. WHEN I CONTACTED VW, THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE HEATED SEAT RECALL AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487799
NHTSA investigations
4DP05004 · 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.
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE, (I.E., DRIVER INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE).THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THEREFORE, THIS EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDES FURTHER DETAIL CONCERNING THIS EA.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE WINTER SEASON.THIS MATTER IS ALSO CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY TRANSPORT CANADA.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-010)IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE OCCURRENCES AND THEIR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS.
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