Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
153,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-17
Owners notified
1998-10-15
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE CORNER OF THE FUEL TANK. THE LINE COULD BE DAMAGED BY CHAFING AGAINST THE FUEL TANK.
Safety risk
REPEATED CHAFING COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A LEAKING BRAKE LINE CAUSING DIMINISHED BRAKING IN ONE BRAKE CIRCUIT INCREASING THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BOLTS SECURING THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAN LOOSEN OVER TIME. THE LATCH WOULD MOVE CAUSING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE HOOD STRIKER FROM THE LATCH.
Safety risk
UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD COULD OCCUR OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HOOD LATCH AND SECURING BOLTS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY.
IMPROPER MATERIAL WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAUSING THE SHAFT TO WEAR AND BECOME NOISY.
Safety risk
A WORN AND NOISY FAN MOTOR SHAFT CAN SEIZE RENDERINGTHE FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND STALL. A STALLED VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPLETE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLE HAVING THE POTENTIAL SHAFT MATERIAL PROBLEM. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FAN BLADE INCLUDING A NEW LOCK NUT ON VEHICLE WITH LOOSE FAN BLADE LOCK NUTS.
THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SPINDLE, SO THAT A SHARP RIDGE ON THE EDGE OF SPINDLE'S THREAD WOULD HAVE REMAINED.
Safety risk
THIS RIDGE CAN DAMAGE THE INSIDE THREAD OF THE JACK'S SCISSOR SHOE WHEN THE JACK IS USED TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THE JACK COULD COLLAPSE WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT A PERSON STANDING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE COULD BE INJURED.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW JACK.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
5
—
Seat belts: front: retractor
4
—
Air bags: frontal
2
—
Electrical system
2
—
Electrical system: wiring
2
72,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
2
—
Parking brake: conventional
2
—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
2
—
Vehicle speed control
2
—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element
2
—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Interior lighting
1
—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
1
—
Seat belts: front: anchorage
1
—
Seats: front assembly: recliner
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
1
—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing
1
—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
1
—
The 1993 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.