NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
507 reports45,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
Service Brakes, Electric
ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND BEEPING. SCAN TOOL SHOWS "UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE." THIS ABS BLINKING AND BEEPING HAPPENS EVERYTIME I START MY CAR NOW. WHEN I ATTEMPT A PANIC BRAKE STOP, THERE IS NO PULSATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH INDICATES THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY 2000 PASSAT GLX HAS 45,000 M…
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ABS LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND BEEPING. SCAN TOOL SHOWS "UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE." THIS ABS BLINKING AND BEEPING HAPPENS EVERYTIME I START MY CAR NOW. WHEN I ATTEMPT A PANIC BRAKE STOP, THERE IS NO PULSATING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH INDICATES THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY 2000 PASSAT GLX HAS 45,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10247483
54,000 miles · Oct 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Electric
ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT (INTERMITTENTLY) ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. MECHANIC ADVISES THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, DEMONSTRATES AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULE. MECHANIC ALSO ADVISES THAT ABS IN INOPERABLE WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. (COMPUTER CODE 01203). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245743
100,000 miles · Oct 16, 2008
Service Brakes, Electric
BRAKE FAULT , BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES, ABS COMES ON DUE TO BAD ABS MODULE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245740
75,000 miles · Oct 14, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. PRIOR TO THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATING, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING NOISE. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11-19-08 *BF THE ABS MODULE FAILED. UPDATED 11/20/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10245415
175,876 miles · Oct 14, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T, MANUAL 5-SPEED ABS MODULE SHOWING CONSTANT FAILURE INDICATION, ALONG WITH STOP, SERVICE MANUAL WARNINGS. I'M FILING THIS TO ADD TO THE NUMBERS, VOICING SAFETY ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW FREE-OF-CHARGE LIKE SO MANY OTHERS BELIEVE VW SHOULD DO. NOT MANY HAVE AN EXTRA $1500 LAYING AROUND TO REPLAC…
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2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T, MANUAL 5-SPEED ABS MODULE SHOWING CONSTANT FAILURE INDICATION, ALONG WITH STOP, SERVICE MANUAL WARNINGS. I'M FILING THIS TO ADD TO THE NUMBERS, VOICING SAFETY ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VW FREE-OF-CHARGE LIKE SO MANY OTHERS BELIEVE VW SHOULD DO. NOT MANY HAVE AN EXTRA $1500 LAYING AROUND TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD NOT FAIL TO BEGIN WITH, OR SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245357
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2008
Service Brakes, Electric
FAULTY ABS CONTROL MODULE INSTALLED FROM FACTORY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244662
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
110,000 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ACTIVATES EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, BUT DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE WARM. THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL IN THIS STATE, WHICH MEANS THE CAR IS DRIVABLE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE UNDER PANIC STO…
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MY 2000 VW PASSAT 1.8T BEGAN EXHIBITING A FLASHING/BEEPING RED LIGHT TO INDICATE A FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ACTIVATES EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, BUT DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL THE BRAKES ARE WARM. THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONAL IN THIS STATE, WHICH MEANS THE CAR IS DRIVABLE, BUT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS SAFE UNDER PANIC STOP OR REDUCED TRACTION CONDITIONS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ON 1998-2001 PASSATS (AND AUDI A4S) WITH THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS MODULE. HOWEVER, NO ACTION HAS EVER BEEN TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER. I MAY OPT TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REBUILT BY A THIRD PARTY, AND DO THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION WORK MYSELF; THE RESULT WOULD BE AT LEAST $200 OUT OF POCKET. OUTRAGEOUSLY, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOUGHT VWOA DEALERSHIP SERVICE WORK FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1,000. THE APPARENT FAILURE RATE OF THIS MODULE, AND THE FACT THAT IT DEGRADES THE OPERATION OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL SAFETY FEATURE OF A CAR (THE BRAKES), MAKE IT MY OPINION THAT IT SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. RECALL ACTION SHOULD INCLUDE COMPENSATION FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE UNDERTAKEN REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY MODULE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244268
91,100 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A MONTH BEFORE BUYING MY PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2000 VW PASSAT THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE FAILED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND ALL OTHERS WHO TRAVEL THE SAME ROUTES AS I DO. I HAVE HELD OFF COMPLAINING, BUT OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN A…
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IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A MONTH BEFORE BUYING MY PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2000 VW PASSAT THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE FAILED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS ISSUE AS IT COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS, AND ALL OTHERS WHO TRAVEL THE SAME ROUTES AS I DO. I HAVE HELD OFF COMPLAINING, BUT OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF MEMBERS WITH THE EXACT ISSUE. OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY ONLY CONSTITUTES A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PASSAT OWNERS, YET WE HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW MANY MORE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAVEN'T KNOWN WHERE TO TURN. I PURCHASED THE PART ALONE FOR $1200 AND THEN HAD TO PAY ADDITIONAL LABOR COSTS. IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A SCAM ON THE PART OF VW. IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM FAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244213
68,000 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED ON MY VEHICLE THREE TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2000. EACH TIME IT FAILS, MY BRAKES EXPERIENCE A MASS OF MALFUNCTIONS WHICH INCLUDE RANDOM LOCK-UPS, BRAKE SHUDDER, ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10244179
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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