NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
507 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 21, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO…
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VW PASSAT (2000 SEDAN): ABS BRAKE FAILURE INDICATOR COMES ON, TYPICALLY IN WARM WEATHER OR WHEN ENGINE IS WARM, ALONG WITH INDICATOR BELL. "STOP" INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. FAILURE OCCURS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS AND CONTINUES UNTIL IGNITION IS SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS CONFIRMED NO FAILURE OF ABS AND NOTES THAT THIS IS COMPUTER MODULE/ECM PROBLEM THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,000 TO REPAIR. OTHER COMPLAINTS AT THIS SITE AND ON OTHER SITES DOCUMENT A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AT SIMILAR MILEAGE (~75,000).
NHTSA ODI #10133672
63,300 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONSUMERT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT. THE ABS MODULE FAILED PREMATURELY. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.*AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #10127306
55,000 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN JULY OF 2004, I BEGAN TO SMELL GAS VERY STRONGLY IN THE CABIN OF MY 2000 V6 PASSAT AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMELL. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE CAR WAS RANDOMLY AND VISIBLY LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE GROUND JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER ON THE PAS…
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WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN JULY OF 2004, I BEGAN TO SMELL GAS VERY STRONGLY IN THE CABIN OF MY 2000 V6 PASSAT AND IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE SMELL. FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, THE CAR WAS RANDOMLY AND VISIBLY LEAKING GASOLINE ONTO THE GROUND JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT LEAKED GASOLINE IN PUDDLES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING 'LEAN' ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, WITH SIGNIFICANT VALVE CLATTER. DUE TO THE SERIOUS SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE PROFUSE GASOLINE LEAK, I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE VW DEALER IN A NEARBY TOWN. UPON INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, THE FUEL LINE HAD CLEARLY SPLIT ON THE TOP SIDE JUST IN FRONT OF THE FUEL FILTER....FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT AND A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA RE. THIS ISSUE, DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AND REPAIR COST CREATED BY THE FUEL LEAK. UNFORTUNATELY, VW ULTIMATELY REFUSED TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT CITING THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME, THE CAR WAS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD JUST OVER 55K MILES. I PAID OVER $700 TO HAVE THE LINE REPLACED, PLUS TOWING FEES, AND VW PROVIDED EXACTLY $0 IN REIMBURSEMENT. THIS EPISODE IS ON RECORD WITH VWOA AND WITH MARTENS VW IN BETHESDA, MD. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR VW DIRECTLY FOR MORE DETAILS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10133266
100,800 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FAILED ABS CONTROLLER. ERROR CODES ON DASHBOARD. ABS IS NO LONGER WORKING. QUOTED ~1200 TO FIX. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132567
50,300 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX 4-MOTION HAD A ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES DISABLING THE ABS FEATURE ON MY CAR. IT ALSO CAUSES DISTRACTING ABS FAILURE WEARING LIGHTS AND NOISES AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. ON THE CONSOLE DISPLAY IT ALSO TELLS YOU TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. PACIFI…
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2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX 4-MOTION HAD A ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE FAILURE AT 51,000 MILES DISABLING THE ABS FEATURE ON MY CAR. IT ALSO CAUSES DISTRACTING ABS FAILURE WEARING LIGHTS AND NOISES AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES CAUSING DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. ON THE CONSOLE DISPLAY IT ALSO TELLS YOU TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. PACIFIC VOLKSWAGEN SAYS IT IS A $750.00 PART THEY HAVE TO ORDER TO FIX PLUS LABOR. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS I DISCOVERED IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AT ANY MILEAGE. MANY DRIVERS HAVE NOT ELECTED TO HAVE THIS MODULE REPLACED DUE TO COST AND ARE NOT DRIVING WITH THE SAFETY FEATURES THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED WITH. I AM AWAITING THE PART ORDERED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR ON MY VEHICLE AS I VALUE MY ABS SYSTEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT THAT VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE OR RECALL AND COMPROMISES SAFETY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10132520
37,000 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Steering
MY 2000 VW PASSAT, WITH 38,000 MILES, HAS WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND I MENTIONED I HAD BEEN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT WHILE DOING 3 POINT TURNS OVER THE PAST MONTH. MY MECHANIC (NOT A DEA…
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MY 2000 VW PASSAT, WITH 38,000 MILES, HAS WORN TIE RODS TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED IT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED WHEN THE CAR WAS HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND I MENTIONED I HAD BEEN HEARING CREAKING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT WHILE DOING 3 POINT TURNS OVER THE PAST MONTH. MY MECHANIC (NOT A DEALER) THOUGHT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. UPON CHECKING, THE RECALL WAS FOR 1999 PASSATS ONLY. SINCE THE 2000 MODEL IS THE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE 1999 MODEL, WHY WAS THIS RECALL NOT EXTENDED TO THE 2000 CARS? I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIE RODS AT MY OWN EXPENSE. PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE ACTION ISSUED BY VW IN NOVEMBER 2004 DID NOT INCLUDE THE TIE RODS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132074
25,000 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEM EXTENDED OVER THE PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 YEARS. THE CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY, THEN STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES. THE SENSOR WAS WORKED ON BY 3 MECHANICS : 1ST TIME- DIAGNOSIS UNSEALED GAS CAP - STAYED OFF FOR 6 MONTHS; 2ND TIME - 4TH TIME- "JUST HAPPENS ON VWS" AND COMPUTER RESET - STAYED OFF ABOUT AVERAGE OF 2-4…
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PROBLEM EXTENDED OVER THE PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 YEARS. THE CHECK EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON SPORADICALLY, THEN STAYED ON AT ALL TIMES. THE SENSOR WAS WORKED ON BY 3 MECHANICS : 1ST TIME- DIAGNOSIS UNSEALED GAS CAP - STAYED OFF FOR 6 MONTHS; 2ND TIME - 4TH TIME- "JUST HAPPENS ON VWS" AND COMPUTER RESET - STAYED OFF ABOUT AVERAGE OF 2-4 WEEKS BEFORE LIGHTING UP AGAIN; 5TH TIME - ON ALL THE TIME, MECHANIC WOULD RESET, WOULD TAKE ON TEST DRIVE AND IT WOULD COME ON AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I HAD MOVED TO NC WHERE THE CAR PROCEEDED TO FAIL INSPECTION DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THE SECOND LOCAL MECHANIC MANAGED TO FIX PROBLEM; CAR PASSED EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND LIGHT HAS BEEN OFF FOR 6 MONTHS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132065
65,000 miles · Aug 8, 2005
Suspension
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. DURING THIS TIME THIS PASSAT HAS HAD SEVERAL SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN POINTED OUT AS A PROBLEM BY VARIOUS SERVICE CENTERS AND VW. THE CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE PASSAT HAS AGAIN DEVELOPED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT E…
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I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. DURING THIS TIME THIS PASSAT HAS HAD SEVERAL SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THE UPPER CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN POINTED OUT AS A PROBLEM BY VARIOUS SERVICE CENTERS AND VW. THE CONTROL ARMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND THE PASSAT HAS AGAIN DEVELOPED A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131900
68,900 miles · Aug 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS LIGHT GOES ON. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10131777
87,000 miles · Aug 3, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO IS BAD. I DISCOVERED THIS BECAUSE THE LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY ABS CAME ON THE DASH. THE CAR FISHTAILS IF BREAKS ARE APPLIED SHARPLY GOING FASTER THAN 50 MPH, EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. I TESTED THIS IN A SAFE PLACE TO SEE IF THE ABS WAS REALLY NOT WORKING. N…
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THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO IS BAD. I DISCOVERED THIS BECAUSE THE LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY ABS CAME ON THE DASH. THE CAR FISHTAILS IF BREAKS ARE APPLIED SHARPLY GOING FASTER THAN 50 MPH, EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. I TESTED THIS IN A SAFE PLACE TO SEE IF THE ABS WAS REALLY NOT WORKING. NOW I HAVE NO ABS AND THE REPLACEMENT PART COSTS SO MUCH THAT I WILL HAVE NO ABS FOR AWHILE. AND THE BREAKS ON CARS THAT ARE BUILT TO USE ABS DON'T WORK PROPERLY WITHOUT IT. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF FORUMS WITH MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO BECAUSE I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE IT WAS SAFE, ONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES BEING ABS. HOPEFULLY THERE HAVE BEEN ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS THAT IT CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE IT CAUSES TOO MANY ACCIDENTS OR ANY INJURIES. BY THE WAY, BOSCH MADE THIS ABS CONTROL MODULE AND IT IS THE SAME ONE USED IN THE AUDI A4 AND A6. I THINK THEY HAVE COME OUT WITH A NEW ONE THAT THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE OLD ONES WITH BUT THEY STILL HAVEN'T ADMITTED THEY SCREWED UP AND NOW THE CONSUMER IS PAYING FOR IT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131469
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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