This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Emission related issues, secondary air pump and combi valve for 2002 Volkswagen Passat. They are installed in a spot where they are exposed to moisture resulting in a failure.
Heat shield was replaced in a recall during the summer of 2008. A couple days after the repair we complained of a fire smell, returned the vehicle to the local dealer. At the time they said they replaced the heat shield again and the smell would eventually go away. A year later, the we experienced an engine compartment fire. The car was towed to the dealer that did the recall work. After inspection they admitted to us that the recall work was performed, however the heat shield was installed incorrectly, which caused it to catch fire. They explained that the instructions they were supplied by VW were unclear. They also admitted that they have no way of knowing how many heat shields were installed incorrectly at their dealership before they received the corrected or more clear installation instructions. I am concerned that there may have been many more dealerships with the same problem. If nothing else, the local dealership should be ordered to send out a letter notifying their recall customers of the potential problem.
Owner started up engine of Volkswagen, ran back inside house to get wallet. Came back 2-3 minutes later and saw smoke and flames from center of dashboard area. Called 911 and ran back inside to shut windows because smoke was coming into the house. Radio had not been working for several weeks prior to the fire incident. Within one week prior to the fire incident, the digital readout in the climate control panel flashed and looked scrambled. Vehicle burned throughout passenger compartment, scorching to underside of front floor and transaxle near exhaust system.
Purchased car in late Dec, 2001. Have taken car in for repair on 1/12/02 and 1/16/02 for it emitting excess, raw fuel through exhaust system. Have been waiting 7.5 weeks for the repair to be made. Was told by service manager that they're having same problem.
- Nashville, TN, USA
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- Lisle, IL, USA