NHTSA Defect Investigation #DP05004

ENGINE STALLING: Electrical System:Ignition:Module

CLOSED

no recall issued

2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF -- 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. Investigation was initiated on August 11 2005. Closed on December 08 2005. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP05004 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE04073

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE: Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights**

RECALL »

Recall #04V584000

** This defect investigation is filed under 4 related vehicle components.
2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF -- This investigation was opened on October 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants reported that having the hazard flasher switch replaced repaired their vehicles.by letter of December 13, 2004, Volkswagen notified the Agency that it will conduct a safety recall of 350,000 model year 2000 through 2002 jetta, golf and gti vehicles to repair the turn signal and hazard flasher system.vw reports 216 owner reports, 4 field reports and 4960 warranty claims on this population of vehicles. Volkswagen dealers will install a new hazard flasher switch/relay kit to remedy the defective vehicles.please see safety recall 04V584 for details. Investigation was initiated on October 19 2004. Closed on December 16 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE04073 »

NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE04079

FUEL PUMP LEAKS: Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump**

RECALL »

Recall #05V154000

** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF -- This investigation was opened on November 29, 2004, based on five consumer reports alleging fuel leaking from the fuel pump.by letter of April 14, 2004, Volkswagen of america (Volkswagen) notified the Agency that it will conduct a safety recall of 35,000 golf and gti vehicles manufactured in wolfsburg germany for the North american market.the recalled vehicles are in model years 1999 and 2000 and are equipped with gasoline engines.Volkswagen has identified a condition in which the fuel supply line from the fuel delivery module (pump) to the fuel filter may come under tension. In this condition the fuel pump supply nipple can crack, resulting in a gasoline leak.Volkswagen dealers will inspect for tension on the fuel line and cracks in the fuel pump supply nipple.if tension is found in the line, it will be replaced with a revised line.if the fuel pump supply nipple is cracked, the line and the pump will be replaced.please see safety recall 05V154 for details. Investigation was initiated on November 29 2004. Closed on April 19 2005. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE04079 »