The defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L VR6 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE PUBLISHED ON THE LABEL FOR TIRES OF THE SIZE 205/50 R15 86H IS 0.1 BAR (1.45 PSI) TOO LOW. IT SHOULD BE 2.5 BAR (36.3 PSI). THE LABEL RECOMMENDS 2.4 BAR (34.8 PSI = 35 PSI).
The risk
UNDER INFLATED TIRES CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING, AND DRIVING WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES PUTS THE CONSUMER AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
The remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS, OR A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER WISHES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 29, 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 VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf | 1998, 1999 |
Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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 Golf | 1998 | 18 | 1 |
| Volkswagen Golf | 1999 | 64 | 4 |
Other equipment recalls in 2003
72 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the equipment; VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC filed 204 campaigns in all.
| 03V519000 19 Dec 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V520000 18 Dec 2003 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V526000 12 Dec 2003 | MONACO COACH CORPORATION |
| 03V516000 10 Dec 2003 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 03V505000 10 Dec 2003 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 03V499000 5 Dec 2003 | NRC MODIFICATIONS, INC. |
| 03V508000 4 Dec 2003 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 03V481000 19 Nov 2003 | ALFA LEISURE,INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003