NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
507 reports37,400 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Electrical System
THE ENGINE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND CONTINUED DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THE ENGINE WAS ON. IT SEEMED TO START AT EVERY IGNITION ACTIVATION, THE PROBLEMS DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING OR IDLE. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I AM READY TO GO TO WORK!! I TOOK THE CAR THREE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD - THEY COULD NOT FIND…
Read full complaint
THE ENGINE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND CONTINUED DURING THE ENTIRE TIME THE ENGINE WAS ON. IT SEEMED TO START AT EVERY IGNITION ACTIVATION, THE PROBLEMS DOES NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING OR IDLE. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I AM READY TO GO TO WORK!! I TOOK THE CAR THREE TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE WARRANTY WAS STILL GOOD - THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN ALL THREE TIMES. THE MAIN INDICATOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE "ENGINE SYMBOL W/THE VOLT" SYMBOL THAT GOES ON IN THE DASHBOARD. THE FOURTH TIME IT HAPPENED (PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, NOW), IT WENT AWAY WHILE THE DEALER WAS CHECKING IT OUT. AGAIN THE MECHANICS COULD NOT DETECT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ON JULY 11, AS I WAS COMING HOME THE PROBLEM AGAIN SHOWED UP. THIS TIME THE DEALER CHANGED AN ENGINE PART "COIL" AND SAID THAT THE COIL WAS THE PROBLEM AND THESE PASSAT CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME. I AM REALLY MAD BECAUSE I DID NOT EXPECT THE ADDED EXPENSE $620 TOTAL, THE TIME LOST, THE INCONVENIENCE, AND THE LACK OF RESPECT BY THE DEALERS (THESE GUYS BEHAVE AS IF THEY ARE DOING ME A FAVOR, I AM PAYING DEARLY BY CHOOSING WV BRAND). *JB
NHTSA ODI #10028570
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
HAD A REAR TIRE BLOW UT A WHILE BACK AND NOW MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT SIZE GAS LEAK( IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR), WHICH IS THE SUMMARY AND CONSEQUENCE OF THE VW PASSAT RECALL ISSUED JAN 23, 2002. I, HOWEVER, JUST RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE 2 WEEKS AGO. I DID REPORT MY TIRE BLOW OUT WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I W…
Read full complaint
HAD A REAR TIRE BLOW UT A WHILE BACK AND NOW MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT SIZE GAS LEAK( IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR), WHICH IS THE SUMMARY AND CONSEQUENCE OF THE VW PASSAT RECALL ISSUED JAN 23, 2002. I, HOWEVER, JUST RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE 2 WEEKS AGO. I DID REPORT MY TIRE BLOW OUT WITH NHTSA BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED I HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE. IT APPEARS THE REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL IS TOO LATE FOR ME, I ALREADY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCE OF VW'S DEFECT. I ONLY HOPE VW RECTIFIES THIS PROBLEM ASAP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10028387
51,000 miles · Jul 8, 2003
Steering
(2000 VW PASSAT) MECHANIC INDICATED EXCESSIVE TIE-ROD-END WEAR DUE TO SEAL FAILURE -- IDENTICAL TO FAILURE SUBJECT TO RECALL IN 1999 MODEL. VW WAS NOTIFIED ON 7/7/2003 AND DECLINED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025632
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2003
Electrical System
I OWNED A 2000 VW PASSAT. MY CAR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES UPON ACCELERATION DURING PASSING OR ACCELERATING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD IT INTO THE SHOP AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THE VW REP INSINUATED THAT I WAS DOING SOMETHING TO THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO TRADE FOR A 2003. THERE IS NOW A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COIL STARTIN…
Read full complaint
I OWNED A 2000 VW PASSAT. MY CAR FAILED SEVERAL TIMES UPON ACCELERATION DURING PASSING OR ACCELERATING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY. I HAD IT INTO THE SHOP AT LEAST EIGHT TIMES. THE VW REP INSINUATED THAT I WAS DOING SOMETHING TO THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO TRADE FOR A 2003. THERE IS NOW A RECALL ON THE IGNITION COIL STARTING WITH 2001. I THINK YOU HAD BETTER INCLUDE 2000 ON THAT RECALL. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023600
62,000 miles · Jun 19, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
APPARENTLY THE FUEL INJECTORS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT WAGON 4MOTION ARE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS 63,000 MILES. STARTING AND IDLING PROBLEMS LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF EXCESS CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE VALVES AND THE FAILURE OF THE COMBINATION VALVE. THIS VALVE COST ME ABOUT $400 TO REPLACE. VW SAYS THE FUEL INJECTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED BECA…
Read full complaint
APPARENTLY THE FUEL INJECTORS IN MY 2000 VW PASSAT WAGON 4MOTION ARE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR HAS 63,000 MILES. STARTING AND IDLING PROBLEMS LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF EXCESS CARBON BUILD-UP IN THE VALVES AND THE FAILURE OF THE COMBINATION VALVE. THIS VALVE COST ME ABOUT $400 TO REPLACE. VW SAYS THE FUEL INJECTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE A CERTAIN COLOR (OF MANUFACTURE), IMPLYING THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. REPLACING THEM WILL COST ME ABOUT $600, OR ABOUT $1000 FOR EVERYTHING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023415
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2003
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JERKED WHEN IT REACHED THE SPEED OF 40 MPH. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10022437
45,000 miles · May 30, 2003
Suspension
ARM CONTROL BALL JOINTS AND BUSHINGS PREMATURELY FAILED ON VEHICLE. BALL JOINT FAILURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT COULD HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE RACK AND DISABLED STEERING OF VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10020761
40,000 miles · May 21, 2003
Suspension
CONTROL ARMS ON THIS MODEL ARE CHRONICALLY FAILING. EVERY PASSAT OWNER I HAVE TALKED TO IS HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY AT 40000 AND THE CONTROL ARMS ARE STARTING TO CRACK AND TEAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND CONSIDER A SAFETY RECALL. A CONTROL ARM FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED COULD BE FATAL.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10019075
48,500 miles · May 5, 2003
SteeringSuspension
TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARMS ARE PRONE TO FAILURE, I.E. BUSHINGS BECOME WORN AND WILL TEAR AFTER TIME. THE BUSHINGS ON MY VEHICLE FOR BOTH UPPER CONTROL ARMS (CURRENTLY @ 48000 MILES) ON BOTH SIDES AND TIE RODS HAVE STARTED TO CRACK AND TEAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017047
31,796 miles · Apr 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 PASSAT IN FEB. OF 2000. ON NOV. 5, 2001 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DASH DISPLAYED EMISSION WORKSHOP.THE SYSMPTOMS WERE A JOLTING WHEN PLACING THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THE CAR LOSING POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHILE DRIVING.I TOOK IT IN AND FOUND OUT THE "ENGINE CONTROL MODULE" NEEDED REPLACMENT & THE "…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A NEW 2000 PASSAT IN FEB. OF 2000. ON NOV. 5, 2001 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE DASH DISPLAYED EMISSION WORKSHOP.THE SYSMPTOMS WERE A JOLTING WHEN PLACING THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR AND THE CAR LOSING POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHILE DRIVING.I TOOK IT IN AND FOUND OUT THE "ENGINE CONTROL MODULE" NEEDED REPLACMENT & THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR" NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE. THEN, ON DEC. 23, 2002 I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND TOOK IT IN AND HAD TOPAY $161.00 TO REPLACE THE "VACCUM LINE TO MANIFOLD". NOW YESTERDAY APRIL 28,2003 I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND FOUND OUT THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR" NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SEONCD TIME AND THE DEALER WILL ONLY PAY 50% AND THEY WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR DECISION BECAUSE THEY FEEL IT'S MORE THEN FAIR. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT IT IS VERY RARE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN. WELL IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER TO WHY THIS HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MAY COMPLAINTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED ON CASE NUMBER:748685. I FEEL LIKE I PURCHASED A LEMON AND WILL BE DEALING WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND A VOLKSWAGEN TO ANYONE.
NHTSA ODI #10016778
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