The defect
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
The risk
FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Cabrio | 1998 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 1997, 1998, 1999 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Cabrio | 1998 | 21 | 1 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 1997 | 54 | 1 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 1998 | 192 | 2 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 1999 | 349 | 6 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1998 | 331 | 4 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1999 | 664 | 5 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2000 | 507 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2001 | 430 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2002 | 636 | 3 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 2003 | 628 | 6 |
Other fuel system, gasoline recalls in 2002
31 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the fuel system, gasoline; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC filed 204 campaigns in all.
| 02V344000 23 Dec 2002 | NATIONAL RV, INC. |
| 02V340000 23 Dec 2002 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 02V335000 6 Dec 2002 | SALEEN PERFORMANCE INC. |
| 02V318002 3 Dec 2002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 02V318001 27 Nov 2002 | PACCAR, INC. |
| 02V306000 13 Nov 2002 | AM GENERAL CORPORATION |
| 02V300000 12 Nov 2002 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 02V274000 8 Oct 2002 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002