NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
50 reportsClear category filter82,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE (2005 VW B5 PASSAT TDI) ARE DRIVEN BY A CHAIN OFF THE MOTOR WHICH ALSO DRIVES THE OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. OURS LET GO AT SPEED WITH MY FAMILY OF FIVE ON BOARD. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AT THE SUDDEN DECELERATION IN TRAFFIC. …
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THE BALANCE SHAFTS IN THIS ENGINE (2005 VW B5 PASSAT TDI) ARE DRIVEN BY A CHAIN OFF THE MOTOR WHICH ALSO DRIVES THE OIL PUMP. THIS UNFORTUNATE DESIGN SUBJECTS THE CHAIN TO STRESSES IT CANNOT WITHSTAND. OURS LET GO AT SPEED WITH MY FAMILY OF FIVE ON BOARD. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED AT THE SUDDEN DECELERATION IN TRAFFIC. A FIX HAS BEEN MANDATED IN THE ECU BUT NOT IN THE US. THERE IS NO CURRENT OFFICIAL "FIX" FROM VW AMERICA. THE EXPECTATION IS THE ENGINE WILL SELF DESTRUCT AND THE CUSTOMER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE AN ENTIRE $5000-8000 MOTOR WITH A REPLACEMENT GEAR ASSEMBLY. VOLKSWAGEN TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION 016429. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255358
60,877 miles · Dec 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2005 VW PASSAT GLS TDI SEDAN DIESEL AND THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND SPROCKET ARE BAD AND MAKING A HORRENDOUS NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 60,000 MILES BUT, IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. THE VW DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAS NO IDEA OF SUCH A PROBLEM. MY RESEAR…
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I OWN A 2005 VW PASSAT GLS TDI SEDAN DIESEL AND THE OIL PUMP BALANCE SHAFT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND SPROCKET ARE BAD AND MAKING A HORRENDOUS NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 60,000 MILES BUT, IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. THE VW DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAS NO IDEA OF SUCH A PROBLEM. MY RESEARCH HAS PROVEN OTHERWISE. IT IS SAID THAT IF SUCH A FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, DISASTER COULD RESULT. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE WHICH ENTAILS THE REMOVAL OF THE WHOLE OIL PUMP CHAIN DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACING IT WITH A GEAR DRIVEN ASSEMBLY. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A FACTORY DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE TO WHERE VW ISSUES AN IMMEDIATE SERVICE BULLETIN FOLLOWED BY A MANDATORY RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251558
100,000 miles · Dec 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS REFERENCE A VERY SPECIFIC VEHICLE, I.E. NAMELY THE 2005-2005 VW PASSAT TDI (DIESEL) CAR, BOTH SEDAN AND STATION WAGON VERSION, WITH THE VW BHW ENGINE. WHAT STARTED OUT AS AN OCCASIONAL NEED TO REPLACE THE CHAIN THAT DRIVE THE OIL PUMP, BECAME A CERTAINTY THAT THE CHAIN WOULD BREAK. IF THE CHAIN BREAKS, YOU LOOSE…
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THIS REFERENCE A VERY SPECIFIC VEHICLE, I.E. NAMELY THE 2005-2005 VW PASSAT TDI (DIESEL) CAR, BOTH SEDAN AND STATION WAGON VERSION, WITH THE VW BHW ENGINE. WHAT STARTED OUT AS AN OCCASIONAL NEED TO REPLACE THE CHAIN THAT DRIVE THE OIL PUMP, BECAME A CERTAINTY THAT THE CHAIN WOULD BREAK. IF THE CHAIN BREAKS, YOU LOOSE OIL PRESSURE IMMEDIATE, AND THE ENGINE IS GOING TO SEIZE (NOT TO MENTION THE CHAIN ITSELF FLOPPING AROUND IN THE CRANK AREA WHICH COULD LODGE IN THE DRIVE SYSTEM AND DO THE SAME). IN ANY SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE ACCELERATING, THAT IS GOING TO BE CATASTROPHIC , AND CERTAINLY ANY HIGHER SPEED ON A FREEWAY/HIGHWAY BEING THE SAME) VW HAS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE AND HAS NOW ISSUED A TSB ON THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT INSTITUTED A RECALL. THE CHANGE IS TO REMOVE THE CHAIN DRIVE SYSTEM AND CONVERT THE ENGINE TO A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP. THIS IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. WHAT THIS DOES TO THE COUNTER BALANCER SHAFT IS UNKNOWN (I.E. WHAT CAUSED WHAT TO FAIL HAS NOT HAD ANY INDICATION FROM VW). WW SHOULD IMMEDIATELY BE MANDATED TO RECALL ALL THESE VEHICLES WITH THE TDI BHW ENGINE AND OR ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE BROUGHT IN BEFORE THE 100K TIMING BELT CHANGE INTERVAL LISTED IN THE MANUAL AND HAVE THAT TSB CHANGED TO A RECALL AND SAFETY REPAIR. ANY OWNER HEARING THE SIGNATORY NOISE OF THE FAILURE DEVELOPING SHOULD HAVE THAT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED NOT LATTER THAN THE 100K POINT. THIS IS BASED ON A SURVEY OF A FEW AT 40 TO 60K, MOST HAVE IT DEVELOPING BY 100K (IF NOT FAILED OR CLOSE TO FAILURE AT THAT POINT. ALL OTHER VW DIESEL ENGINE USE A GEAR DRIVEN OIL PUMP SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251546
43,000 miles · Oct 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IDLING, THE ENGINE MAKES A CHAIN RATTLING NOISE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10247218
25,500 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
AUGUST 2007 I GOT AN OIL CHANGE FROM THE 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLACE IN NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ. THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER MY ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE. I ALWAYS GET MY OIL CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS (3,000 MILES) NOT THE SUGGEST 5,000 IN MY CAR MANUAL. THE 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLACE DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER SYSTEM TO PRODUCE RE…
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AUGUST 2007 I GOT AN OIL CHANGE FROM THE 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLACE IN NORTH ARLINGTON, NJ. THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER MY ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO SLUDGE. I ALWAYS GET MY OIL CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS (3,000 MILES) NOT THE SUGGEST 5,000 IN MY CAR MANUAL. THE 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE PLACE DOES NOT HAVE A COMPUTER SYSTEM TO PRODUCE RECORDS AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE ONLY ONE RECEIPT FROM THE AUGUST 2007 OIL CHANGE. SO I WENT THROUGH ALL MY OLD CHARGE CARD RECEIPTS AND DEBIT RECEIPTS FROM MY BANK TO PROVE THAT I DID GET MY OIL CHANGED. HOWEVER GENSINGER VOLKSWAGEN IN CLIFTON, NJ AND VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA THE CORPORATE OFFICE SAID THAT MY RECEIPTS WERE NOT "PROOF ENOUGH" THAT IT WAS MY CAR EVEN THOUGH SOME OF MY RECEIPTS HAD THE OIL CHANGE PLACE TWICE IN ONE MONTH WHICH PROVES THAT I GOT AN OIL CHANGE & MY HUSBAND GOT AN OIL CHANGE. SO SINCE OCTOBER 2007 MY CAR HAS BEEN UNDRIVEABLE AND HAS SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY EVER SINCE. I HAVE CONTINUED PAYING FOR MY LEASE AND MY INSURANCE ON THIS CAR EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE. THIS 2005 PASSAT HAS ONLY 25,500 MILES ON IT AND THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE NEVER SEIZED. VOLKSWAGEN PASSATS ARE KNOWN FOR HEAVY SLUDGE IN THEIR ENGINES AND YET THIS COMPANY DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT! I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE BEFORE I TURN THIS LEASED CAR BACK. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AWFUL COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233055
44,000 miles · May 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE LEASED A 2005 VW PASSAT. I CHANGED MY OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS, MY MECHANIC DID NOT WRITE THE IN MILEAGE OR OUT MILEAGE WHEN HE GAVE ME MY RECEIPT. MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND VW STATES THAT I NEED A NEW MOTOR DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. THE ARE TELLING ME MY RECEIPTS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND WON'T COVER THE MOTOR. …
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I HAVE LEASED A 2005 VW PASSAT. I CHANGED MY OIL ON A REGULAR BASIS, MY MECHANIC DID NOT WRITE THE IN MILEAGE OR OUT MILEAGE WHEN HE GAVE ME MY RECEIPT. MY CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND VW STATES THAT I NEED A NEW MOTOR DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE MOTOR. THE ARE TELLING ME MY RECEIPTS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND WON'T COVER THE MOTOR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PALISADES, NY VW ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO DO BUSINESS WITH. I'M NOT GETTING A NEW MOTOR! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228263
65,000 miles · Feb 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIRS AT 42K MILES, WHILE UNDER THE WARRANTY IN 2004. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THEY STATED THEY REPLACED A FLANGE THAT WAS CRACKED, THE OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET, CHAIN TENSIONER. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WASN'T RUNNING RIGHT, VERY, VERY ROUGH AND LOUD (IT'S A DIESE…
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THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIRS AT 42K MILES, WHILE UNDER THE WARRANTY IN 2004. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THEY STATED THEY REPLACED A FLANGE THAT WAS CRACKED, THE OIL PUMP/BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET, CHAIN TENSIONER. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WASN'T RUNNING RIGHT, VERY, VERY ROUGH AND LOUD (IT'S A DIESEL BUT USED TO BE QUIET). IT TURNS OUT THEY DID NOT BALANCE THE BALANCE SHAFT WITH THE ENGINE, THEY ORDERED THE PART/TOOL TO DO THIS. NEARLY 1K MILES LATER, AFTER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THEY CALLED ME TO COME IN AND HAVE IT BALANCED, WHICH I DID. AT 65K MILES, ROUGHLY 9-10 MONTHS AFTER THIS INITIAL REPAIR, THE CHAIN SNAPPED FOR THE OIL PUMP. THE SPROCKET ON THE OIL PUMP THAT THEY REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CHAIN TENSIONER WERE DESTROYED. THE SPROCKET HAD OLD AND NEW WEAR, THE CHAIN TENSIONER ENDED UP IN PIECES, AND THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED THE INITIAL TIME BUT WAS NOT. THE CHAIN SNAPPED. THE ORIGINAL FLANGE THAT WAS LEAKING WAS ALSO LEAKING AGAIN. THIS CATASTROPHE LED TO THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE TURBO WHICH WAS IMMEDIATELY STARVED FOR OIL AND BURNED UP TOO. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT (BOTTOM END), TURBO REPLACED, NEW CRANK, AND CURRENTLY IT STILL CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR AND FAILURE. VW OF AMERICA STATED THE PARTS THEY REPLACED DID NOT FAIL, AND IF THEY DID THEY ONLY HAVE A 12MO/12K MILE WARRANTY ON THEM. THE WARRANTY FOR THE CAR WAS UP AT 50K MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE FORUMS AND MESSAGE BOARDS IN REGARDS TO THE BALANCE SHAFT AND COMPONENTS (CHAIN, TENSIONER, SHAFT, HEX SHAFT, SPROCKET) BEING FAULTY OR FAILING. MANY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218144
9,600 miles · Jun 8, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UPHILL, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ALL POWER. AFTER THE INITIAL ENGINE STALL, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, BUT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAILED CONNECTION OF THE INTER-COOLER HOSE AND PRESSURI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UPHILL, THERE WAS POPPING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF ALL POWER. AFTER THE INITIAL ENGINE STALL, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, BUT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS A FAILED CONNECTION OF THE INTER-COOLER HOSE AND PRESSURIZED HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE TURBO CHARGER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE FITTINGS ON THE TURBO CHARGER. UPDATED 6/27/2006 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HOSE CONNECTION MECHANISM WASN'T SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE HIGH PRESSURE CREATED BY THE TURBO. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10159316
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
ON NOVEMBER 4,2005, AROUND 7:30 PM WHILE A I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM NEW JERSEY TO NEW YORK CITY, A NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AUTHORITY BUS DANGEROUSLY CUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY WIFE WAS ACCOMPANYING ME. AS I STOPPED TO AVOID THE BUS, THE BUS MADE A SUDDEN AND FULL STOP ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. INSTINCTIVELY, I PUT THE CAR GEAR I…
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ON NOVEMBER 4,2005, AROUND 7:30 PM WHILE A I WAS DRIVING MY CAR FROM NEW JERSEY TO NEW YORK CITY, A NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AUTHORITY BUS DANGEROUSLY CUT IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY WIFE WAS ACCOMPANYING ME. AS I STOPPED TO AVOID THE BUS, THE BUS MADE A SUDDEN AND FULL STOP ABOUT 15 FEET IN FRONT OF ME. INSTINCTIVELY, I PUT THE CAR GEAR IN NEUTRAL. ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING AT A VERY HIGH SPEED WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDAL. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SEE IF THE ACCELERATION WOULD STOP. WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL , THE CAR STARTED RUNNING TOWARD THE STATIONARY BUS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE CAR GEAR WAS IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION. AS A RESULT, MY CAR MOVED FORWARD AND HIT THE BACK OF THE BUS. THE BUS DRIVER GOT OUT AND ASKED IF WE WERE OK. SHE SAID SHE WAS FINE AND WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE BUS. WE WERE ALL RIGHT TOO. THERE WERE NO POLICEMEN TO MAKE A REPORT. THE BUS GET A MINIMAL DAMAGE. MY CAR WAS MOSTLY DAMAGE ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT WAS DRIVABLE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, I WAS DRIVING THE SAME CAR ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AND EXPERIENCE THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE CAR ENGINE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR CONTINUED RUNNING NORMALLY. IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUS EVENTS WITH THIS 2005 PASSAT WHICH HAS ONLY AROUND 10,000 MILES, I CONCLUDE THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PRONE TO FAULTY PERFORMANCE AND IS DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE ON THE ROAD. I PARTICULARLY BLAME VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AS THE DIRECT RESPONSIBLE PARTY FOR THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 11-04-05, AROUND 7:30 PM, NEAR THE LINCOLN TUNNEL , ON THE NEW JERSEY SIDE, WHEN A CLEAR MALFUNCTION OF THE 2005 PASSAT THAT I LEASED FROM VOLKSWAGEN, PROVOKED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AND THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUS. CAR REFERENCE: 2005 VW PASSAT GLS, 1,8 SEDAN. SERIAL NUMBER: [XXX], LEASED FROM THREE COUNTY VOLKSWAGEN, 701 RIVERSIDE AVENUE, LYNDHURST, NJ 07071. *NM UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10146004
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH STALLING.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA ODI #10138808
NHTSA investigations
3EA11002 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Jan 26, 2011 · Closed Feb 17, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
Engine And Engine Cooling
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.
PE08008 · Fuel Tank Leak
Opened Jan 31, 2008 · Closed May 30, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT THE VENT LINE IS TENSION FREE AND CORRECT THE INSTALLATION IF TENSION IS FOUND.IF A CRACK OR FUEL LEAK IS FOUND, VW WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.AUDI WILL REPAIR ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BY REINFORCING THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH AN EPOXY ADHESIVE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT THE VENT LINE IS TENSION FREE AND CORRECT THE INSTALLATION IF TENSION IS FOUND.IF A CRACK OR FUEL LEAK IS FOUND, VW WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.AUDI WILL REPAIR ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BY REINFORCING THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH AN EPOXY ADHESIVE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT THE VENT LINE IS TENSION FREE AND CORRECT THE INSTALLATION IF TENSION IS FOUND.IF A CRACK OR FUEL LEAK IS FOUND, VW WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.AUDI WILL REPAIR ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BY REINFORCING THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH AN EPOXY ADHESIVE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT THE VENT LINE IS TENSION FREE AND CORRECT THE INSTALLATION IF TENSION IS FOUND.IF A CRACK OR FUEL LEAK IS FOUND, VW WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.AUDI WILL REPAIR ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BY REINFORCING THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH AN EPOXY ADHESIVE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices
VOLKSWAGEN (VW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN VW PASSAT 4MOTION AND AUDI A6 QUATTRO AND ALLROAD QUATTRO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER CARS.VW VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 22, 2000 THROUGH MAY 31, 2005 AND AUDI VEHICLES SUBJECT TO RECALL WERE MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2, 2001 TO JUNE 1, 2005.THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE VW VEHICLES IS 08V-156 (VW ALSO IS CORRECTING DEFECTS RELATED TO HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL LINE HAZARDS FOR THESE VEHICLES AND FOR 1999-2000 PASSATS IN THIS RECALL ACTION.)THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THE AUDI VEHICLES IS 08V-157.SINCE 2006, ODI HAS RECEIVED 17 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' FUEL TANKS.THE 400 COMPLAINTS SHOWN ABOVE MAY INCLUDE DUPLICATE REPORTS TO ODI AND THE MANUFACTURER. WHILE THE CONSEQUENCE (FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK) IS SIMILAR FOR BOTH THE PASSAT AND AUDI SUBJECT VEHICLES, DIFFERENCES IN DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIRE A DIFFERENT REMEDY FOR EACH VEHICLE.ON THE PASSATS, THE VENTILATION LINE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY WITH TENSION AND WITH AN INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CABLE TIE.THE TENSION COULD CAUSE CRACKED OR BROKEN NIPPLES ON THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE.ON THE AUDI VEHICLES, A MATERIAL CHANGE (EFFECTIVE JUNE 2, 2001) WITH DIFFERENT AGING CHARACTERISTICS USED FOR THE ROLLOVER VALVE AND THE USE OF AN INFLEXIBLE ALUMINUM VENTILATION LINE COULD CAUSE CRACKING OF THE NIPPLE ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE.VW IS RECALLING ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THESE DEFECTS.IT WILL INSPECT PASSATS TO ENSURE THAT THE VENT LINE IS TENSION FREE AND CORRECT THE INSTALLATION IF TENSION IS FOUND.IF A CRACK OR FUEL LEAK IS FOUND, VW WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK.AUDI WILL REPAIR ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BY REINFORCING THE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVE WITH AN EPOXY ADHESIVE.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
EA07014 · 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.
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