The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 20 mph, smoke billowed from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to safely leave the roadway, the hood was raised and flames appeared in the engine compartment. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was not towed and remained at the scene. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the fire. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The insurance company was not made aware of the fire. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

While driving on the highway, we started smelling gasoline in the cabin. We pulled over and checked under the hood. A fuel line attached to the firewall had a leak directly above the exhaust system, and was spraying gasoline everywhere in the engine bay, including the catalytic converter and exhaust system. We were informed by tow truck driver that we were incredibly lucky no fire got started in the engine bay while we were driving down the highway.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the transmission was fractured and there was fuel leaking. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery). The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

In approximately July of 2014 my Volkswagen Passat started experiencing on and off again problems with the engine firing. I had recently retired and was not driving the car daily, and so I was unable to associate the problem with any recent driving event. However, one morning when the hesitation was very pronounced I popped the hood to have a look. Water was standing almost level with the top of the battery in the area housing that part. I used my indoor/outdoor vacuum to pump out as much water as possible. When I thought the area was thoroughly dried out I took the car to my local Volkswagen certified mechanic for further investigation. He didn't take long to determine that drainage holes on both sides under the hood were clogged. He was able to unclog the hole on the passenger side immediately, but the hole on the driver side is located beneath parts that have to be moved for access. I recalled numerous times over the years when I was certain I was hearing the sound of water sloshing around under the hood. I had asked on more than one occasion at time of service for the sound to be investigated further. I was always told the same thing: There was nothing to explain the sound I was hearing. I now believe this has been a recurring problem over the years I've owned the car, and might have impacted more than just the battery at any time. I thought there should be more than one report of this problem on file.

- Deland, FL, USA

I kept noticing a smell of gasoline. One morning when I backed up and looked forward there was a puddle. I got out, bent down and smelled it. It was gas. I backed up a little more and there was another small puddle. It also was gas. When I first saw the puddles of gas I called Volkswagen and was told there was no recall for this and that any recall that was on my vehicle has been complete (nothing to do with the fuel leak). Just this past week (5/2/15) I noticed the same smell. This time I could actually see the fuel leaking from the back passenger side and I filmed it on my cell.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

As with similar reports the car was driven then sat for 24hrs, when it was started again a strong gas smell was noticed and a puddle of gas was found under the passenger rear panel. Immediately took to repair station where they could not find a leak. They filled the tank with gas and left it to sit overnight and under pressure. No leak. 3 weeks have passed with typical driving, not excessive use and no leaks until today September 5th 2014. Started the car up and backed up to find a gas puddle again.

- Goffstown, NH, USA

When I do not use the car after a few days, and then start it, fuel leaks from the rear passenger side of the car. It seems to drip quite a bit at first and comes from the front somewhere. Driving along the first mile you can see the drip continues on the ground. The leak stops and as long as I use the car daily, no leak reappears. When I took it to the dealer a few years ago, they couldn't find the problem because it stopped leaking. I should have left it there a few days I guess. I still have the problem and only after a few days of sitting.

- Hermosa Beach, CA, USA