1998 Volkswagen Passat
1998 Defect Investigations
There are also 5 Volkswagen recalls » 7 defect investigations » 40 TSBs » for the Volkswagen Passat.
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE: Air Bags**
no recall issued
** This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -- This investigation involves the Volkswagen (vw) passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) lid utilized in MY 1998-2002 vw passat. The psir lid may detach from the instrument panel during air bag deployment. The Office Of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the preliminary evaluation on May 23, 2003 to determine whether alleged psir lid detachment presents an unreasonable safety risk to passengers in the vehicle. ODI¿S investigation reveals that detachment of the psir lid during air bag deployment may occur for two reasons: 1) the shape of the psir lid, and the length of the attaching tether, may snag the air bag during deployment applying additional pressure on bolts that fasten the lid to the instrument panel (ip); and/or 2) the original psir lid design (subject vehicles) utilized six grade 4.8 mm carbon steel tack weld bolts which may not be as strong as the new design psir lid consisting of six grade 8.8 mm carbon steel press bolts that are heat treated. ODI concludes that detachment of the psir lid is a defect because the lid should remain attached to the ip after deployment of the airbag. However, after analyzing vw¿S responses, and test data collected by vw and faurecia, the psir lid supplier, ODI believes that further investigation would not likely identify a safety-related defect trend because a detached psir lid and parts do not project towards a passenger during deployment of the airbag. The test data shows that the airbag pushes a detached psir lid upwards into the windshield during deployment, and away from the passenger compartment. It is highly unlikely that a passenger would contact the psir lid or associated parts during air bag deployment. Therefore this engineering analysis (ea 03-020) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. For a detailed discussion of the psir lid and testing, see the attached report.
Investigation was initiated on October 07 2003. Closed on April 23 2004. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA03020 »
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE: Air Bags:Frontal
no recall issued
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -- ODI opened a preliminary evaluation (PE03-021) based on two reports of failed bolt studs that attach the passenger supplemental inflatable restraint (psir) door cover to the instrument panel (ip) on the Volkswagen (vw) passat (model years 2000, 2002). Vw has indicated to ODI that it has no additional reports. Vw implemented a process change on March 1, 2002. This process change consisted of changing the bolt application that fastens the psir door to the ip from a weld on application to a press on application. Vw also changed the material of the bolt. Vw stated that the changes were made to ease production by eliminating a welding process. ODI has upgraded its investigation to engineering analysis (EA03-020). Investigation was initiated on May 23 2003. Closed on October 07 2003. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE03021 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA04017STUCK-OPEN THROTTLE: Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
Recall #04V495000
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -- Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 MY 1998-99 A6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04V-495). The failure rate in the A4 and passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles. ODI will continue to monitor the experience in the A4 and passat vehicles. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists for the Audi A4 or vw passat vehicles. The Agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by a change in circumstances. For further details see the attached closing report. Investigation was initiated on June 30 2004. Closed on February 10 2005. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA04017 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #RQ99008POWER BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM BY-PASS: Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Recall #99V131001
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -- A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold can fail to open or close fully at low temperature resulting in insufficient vacuum for proper operation of the brake booster Investigation was initiated on June 01 1999. Closed on November 14 2000. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ99008 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #EA00028FUEL TANK PUNCTURE: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
Recall #02V026000
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -- It allege that the fuel tank and fuel fill pipe puncture from tire blow-out Investigation was initiated on December 28 2000. Closed on January 29 2002. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA00028 »
NHTSA Defect Investigation #PE00033FUEL TANK PUNCTURE: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
no recall issued
1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -- The Office Of Defects Investigation has received nine reports regarding punctured fuel tanks involving the jetta, passat and cabrio models. The reports indicate the fuel tank was punctured as a result of a blow-out of the right rear tire. This investigation has been opened to further study this issue. Investigation was initiated on August 10 2000. Closed on December 28 2000. For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE00033 »