2000 VW Jetta belonging to my friend [xxx], quit running in heavy traffic. She coasted out of the way and had other drivers help push it to a nearby parking lot. On investigating the problem, it was found that a switch in the driver's door failed, shutting off the fuel pump. The door switch normally turns on the fuel pump when the door is opened and if the car is started without opening the driver's door the "immobilizer" security system shuts off the fuel pump. The switch failed while [xxx] drove home from work and fuel was shut off turning off the engine.[xxx] and the people that helped push the car were endangered by having to get out of their cars in the heavy traffic. Car designs need to be reviewed for fault tolerance so that minor components like door switches don't cause the car engine to stop. Also if the car were hit in the door, it would open the switch causing fuel pump to turn on possibly feeding large quantities of gasoline under a damaged car. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Charlotte, NC, USA