Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- Component
- Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- Manufacturer
- VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
- Vehicles affected
- 2,300
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2002-05-16
- Owners notified
- 2002-11-30
Defect description
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGES (TETHER ANCHORAGES) FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD RESTRAINTS INSTALLED IN THE THREE REARMOST SEATING POSITIONS, THE "SAFETY FIRST" PORTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL DELIVERED WITH THESE VEHICLES INCORRECTLY INSTRUCTS OWNERS TO GUIDE THE TETHER STRAP UNDERNEATH THE SEAT'S HEAD RESTRAINT AND TO RAISE THE HEAD RESTRAINT SLIGHTLY, IF NECESSARY.
Safety risk
IF THE OWNER FOLLOWS THESE INSTRUCTIONS, THE HEAD RESTRAINT COULD ACCIDENTALLY SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND CAUSE INJURY TO ANY CHILD OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE TETHERED CHILD SEAT.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW "SAFETY FIRST" BOOKLET THAT WILL CONTAIN CORRECTED USE INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE BOOKLET WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.