NHTSA — Visibility: Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1998 Volkswagen Passat windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Volkswagen Passat:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #1

May 302001

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The A/C ventilation system is defectively designed such that it promotes the growth of bacteria which causes an awful odor when turned on. I would guess that it aerosolizes the bacteri and or fungi and sprays them at high speed through the ventilating system outlets. I do not know but wonder what potential health risk this poses to children, pregnant women and immunosuppressed people or others with chronic respiratory illness such as asthma and copd. Finally, I wonder if there is a theoretical or real risk of legionnaire's disease since the same risk factors found in airconditioners at hotels and building may be replicated in this automotive format. I would like your feedback and assessment of risk.

- Florence, MA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?