NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
15 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Dec 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF (COMPUTER FAILURE?). MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD TO USE BOTH FEET, PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS HE COULD, TO STOP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF US AND WE WERE FAR ENOUGH BACK THAT WE DID NOT ACCELERATE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE SOUND RETURN…
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WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF (COMPUTER FAILURE?). MY HUSBAND, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD TO USE BOTH FEET, PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS HE COULD, TO STOP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF US AND WE WERE FAR ENOUGH BACK THAT WE DID NOT ACCELERATE INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ENGINE SOUND RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER 15-30 SECONDS AND WE DROVE IT HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT BUT WE HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS. IN ADDITION, THE ABS COMPUTER MODULE HAS ALSO FAILED, THOUGH WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY INCIDENTS RELATED TO THAT FAILURE AS THE BRAKES ARE OTHERWISE FINE.
NHTSA ODI #10370158
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
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
MY CAR KEEP SURGING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266181
101,000 miles · Oct 7, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A BUS AND STRUCK A CURB INSTEAD. AS A RESULT, THE REAR AXLES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INV…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A BUS AND STRUCK A CURB INSTEAD. AS A RESULT, THE REAR AXLES WERE DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND HE WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGEABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE REAR AXLES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ODI #10244626
61,440 miles · Aug 22, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,456 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,440.
NHTSA ODI #10239408
55,000 miles · Oct 25, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 5 SPEED MANUAL CAR WITH 65000 MILES; FOR PAST 6 MONTHS WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY GETS ENGAGED MANY A TIMES EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER SWITCHED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND I HAVE …
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I HAVE A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 5 SPEED MANUAL CAR WITH 65000 MILES; FOR PAST 6 MONTHS WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEEDS ABOVE 65 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY GETS ENGAGED MANY A TIMES EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER SWITCHED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW AND WHEN IT GETS ENGAGED. I HAVE TO BE ALWAYS ALERT TO PRESS THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE-ENGAGE THIS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140710
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2000 4-CYL VW PASSAT, 64000 MILES: 2 EMISSIONS FAILURES WITHIN 48 HRS: 1.) REPLACED DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR CHECK VALVE AND HOSE, REPLACED FUEL REG TO MANIFOLD LINE AND N249 VALVE LINE TO MANIFOLD, REPLACED VACUUM LINES ($331); 2.) CLEANED CARBONATED THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED JET VALVE, REPALCED AIR FILTER. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW ME…
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2000 4-CYL VW PASSAT, 64000 MILES: 2 EMISSIONS FAILURES WITHIN 48 HRS: 1.) REPLACED DEFECTIVE EVAPORATOR CHECK VALVE AND HOSE, REPLACED FUEL REG TO MANIFOLD LINE AND N249 VALVE LINE TO MANIFOLD, REPLACED VACUUM LINES ($331); 2.) CLEANED CARBONATED THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED JET VALVE, REPALCED AIR FILTER. REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW METER (UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY) ($236). AT 50,000 MILES: REPLACED 2ND PUMP, N112 VALVE, COBI VALVE, CRACKED PIPE, FUSE SET CODES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10114337
58,000 miles · Sep 15, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH, UPON MOVING DOWN A SLOPE OF A HILL, THE ENGINE RACED OFF AND VEHICLE, A 2000 VW PASSAT ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091058
72,500 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
IDLE PULSATES HEAVILY AT STOPS WHEN IN GEAR. IDLE IS ROUGH WHEN CAR IS COLD. CAR HESITATES HEAVILY SOMETIMES WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. NO FAULT CODES DISPLAYED. HAVE REPLACED COMBINATION VALVE DUE TO FAULT CODE STORED IN ECU, VALVE SHOWED HEAVY BUILDUP OF CARBON. HAVE REPLACED SECONDARY AIR PUMP DUE TO WATER BUILDUP I…
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IDLE PULSATES HEAVILY AT STOPS WHEN IN GEAR. IDLE IS ROUGH WHEN CAR IS COLD. CAR HESITATES HEAVILY SOMETIMES WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. NO FAULT CODES DISPLAYED. HAVE REPLACED COMBINATION VALVE DUE TO FAULT CODE STORED IN ECU, VALVE SHOWED HEAVY BUILDUP OF CARBON. HAVE REPLACED SECONDARY AIR PUMP DUE TO WATER BUILDUP IN PUMP. PROBLEM OCCURRED 1 YEAR AGO, WAS RESOLVED BY REPLACEMENT OF THROTTLE BODY AND COOLANT TEMP SENSOR AT COST OF $600. PROBLEM NOW BACK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10075130
72,500 miles · Jun 10, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE SPEED PULSATES AT IDLE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR AND BRAKES APPLIED. NO FAILURE OR WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED. TO PREVENT SURGING OF CAR WHILE STOPPED, TRANSMISSION MUST BE PUT IN NEUTRAL. ALSO HESITATES SIGNIFICANTLY DURING SOME ACCELERATIONS FROM STOP DUE TO CONDITION, AND IDLES ROUGH WHEN COLD. SAME FAUL…
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ENGINE SPEED PULSATES AT IDLE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS IN GEAR AND BRAKES APPLIED. NO FAILURE OR WARNING LIGHTS DISPLAYED. TO PREVENT SURGING OF CAR WHILE STOPPED, TRANSMISSION MUST BE PUT IN NEUTRAL. ALSO HESITATES SIGNIFICANTLY DURING SOME ACCELERATIONS FROM STOP DUE TO CONDITION, AND IDLES ROUGH WHEN COLD. SAME FAULT LAST YEAR IN JAN. 2003, RESOLUTION THROUGH REPLACEMENT OF COOLANT SENSOR AND THROTTLE BODY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10075127
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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