2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL (06V017000) FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE WAITING LIST TO GET THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED WITH THE DEALER FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPRESSED THE FUEL WAS UNABLE TO BE OBTAINED.

FUEL PUMP FAILED IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL YET AND WILL NOT BE COVERED THE ALL OCCURRED ON 3/27/03. *JB

TIMING BELT BROKE AT ONLY 66,000 MILES AND 3 YEARS OF VEHICLE USE. MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT AT APPROX. 100,000 MILES. FAILURE TO ADVISE PURCHASERS OF PREMATURE CATASTROPHIC TIMING BELT FAILURE IS INEXCUSABLE. IT POSES A GRAVE RISK OF HARM TO DRIVERS. OUR TIMING BELT BLEW ON A BUSY STREET IN MIAMI. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE NOT INJURED. THERE HAVE BEEN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS INVOLVING THE EXACT SAME ENGINE-- USED IN AUDI CARS-- THAT WERE SETTLED BY PROVIDING A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THESE FAILURES. A SIMILAR WARRANTY EXTENSION SHOULD BE OFFERED TO VW OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ENGINE (1.8L TURBO, 4-CYLINDER). A CLASS ACTION AGAINST VW SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY (THOUGH IT MAY BE FORTHCOMING)-- THEY SHOULD ACCEPT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND THEREBY POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES. WHAT IF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER WERE HURT IN A TIMING BELT-RELATED CRASH? SHAME ON VW.*JB

THIS IS A 2003 VW PASSAT WITH 27,000 MILES. IT IS KEPT OUTSIDE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THERE HAVE BEEN RAINS HERE RECENTLY, EXPECTED THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE REAR FOOTWELL WAS FOUND TO HAVE WATER IN IT RECENTLY. NEITHER THE SUNROOF NOR WINDOWS HAD BEEN LEFT OPEN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY VW DEALERS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, THE BOTTOM OF THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBE WAS CLOGGED, BACKING WATER UP. THE RESULTING DAMAGE INCLUDED CARPET, DAMPENED TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, WIRING HARNESS AND A SAFETY RELAY AMOUNTING TO OVER $3,000 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE DAMAGED PARTS AND UNCLOGGING THE DRAIN TUBE. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, RECALL # 06V017000; FUEL PUMP (VW #M7) WAS RECEIVED IN THE 2ND WEEK OF MARCH 2006. WHEN THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR AN APPOINTMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WAS BACK ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IN MAY 2006 THE PART WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO DEALER.

2003 PASSAT CARBON BUILT UP ON THE INJECTORS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. *TS ***NAR*** AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTED REPAIRS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. *JB

OVER FOUR MONTHS AGO, I RECEIVED VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL M7 (APPLICABLE TO 2003 VW PASSAT'S) REGARDING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP THAT MAY CAUSE A CAR TO "STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND . . . PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH." I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A DEALER TO GET THE PART REPLACED. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE. AFTER MONTHS ON A WAITING LIST I AM NOW LEAVING THE WASHINGTON DC AREA, AND AM TOLD THAT THERE IS A SIMILAR WAIT LIST (BACKED UP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS) WHERE I'M MOVING TO. VOLKSWAGEN'S DELAY AND REFUSAL TO CURE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. I STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE. *JB

DESIGN DEFECT RESULTS IN FAILURE OF COMPUTER DUE TO WATER FLOODING. COMPUTER FAILURE RESULTS IN DISABLING OF VEHICLE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THIS CONDITION CAUSED BY PARKING THE CAR WHERE LEAVES OCCASIONALLY FALL ONTO IT. REASON: WINDSHIELD DRAINS INTO COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE BATTERY, WHICH HAS A DRAIN HOLE LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY, REQUIRING REMOVAL OF BATTERY TO PROPERLY CLEAN. DRAIN GETS CLOGGED DUE TO LEAVES, RESULTING IN BATTERY COMPARTMENT FILLING WITH WATER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WATER ENTERS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FOOT WELL. I TOOK MY CAR TO VW DEALER WITH THIS CONDITION AND THEY TOLD ME THE COMPUTER COULD GET FLOODED/RUINED AND THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO "EXTERNAL INFLUENCE". THEY AGREED TO CLEAN THE DRAIN FREE OF CHARGE, BUT WERE UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ME WITH A SERVICE ADVISORY THAT THE DRAIN MUST BE CLEARED TO PREVENT COMPUTER DAMAGE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN, PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM, OR TO MODIFY THE CAR SO THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. *JB

THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. WITH ONLY 54000 MILES IT COMPLETELY FAILED TO START ON ACCOUNT OF A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. *NM

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS A SEAT WARMER. ONE MORNING, IT BEGAN TO BURN ON MY LEG; I NOTICED THE LEATHER IN ONE CORNER WAS MELTING. ONE OF THE WIRES FOR THE SEAT HEATER WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND PRESSING AGAINST THE SEAT. I NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA. THEY WERE UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A DEFECT, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DUE TO INTERIOR WATER LEAKS INTO THE FOOTWELL AREA FROM BLOCKED PLENUM DRAIN. AS STATED IN THE JUNE 18,2004 VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN VEHICLE HAS 28,000MILES . IT IS A LEASE. FIRST ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BEGAN AT APPROX 20,000 MILES WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND REPAIRED. SECOND PROBLEM KEY LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO RE-DO CODES AND REPLACE KEYS, ALSO CHANGED STEERING WHEEL. THIRD PROBLEM, DAMPNESS ON FLOOR OF DRIVERS SIDE, FRONT AND BACK., TRUNK OPENED WHILE DRIVING, INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNLESS TURNED OFF MANUALLY, DOOR LOCKS OPENED AND CLOSED RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF RANDOMLY, SOUND SYSTEM WENT ON AND STAYED ON AFTER CAR WAS VACANT. CAR NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED IN ORDER TO USE. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE DUE TO NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS CAUSING PROBLEMS. VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO COOPERATE STATING THAT THEY DO NO COVER DEFECTIVE PARTS IF IT RAINED ON THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME, CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS WHILE PARTS ARE ORDERED TO REPAIR AT MY COST. SO FAR BILL IS RISING ABOVE $4,000. REQUEST TO TERMINATE LEASE WAS DENIED. 90 DAYS EARLY TERMINATION WAS OFFERED BY VW LEASING BUT PAYMENTS MUST CONTINUE TO BE MADE AFTER CAR IS RETURNED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH, THE SEAT WARMER STARTED SMOKING ALTHOUGH, NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PROPER REPAIRS WERE MADE.

HEATED SEAT IN CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. NO INJURY OCCURRED, BUT IF LEFT UNATTENDED THIS COULD BE A FIRE OR SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

ON THIS DATE I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE. AS A CAR PULLED ON TO THE DRIVING LANE IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE ENTRANCE RAMP, I ACCELERATED AND PULLED LEFT INTO THE PASSING LANE. SUDDENLY I HAD NO POWER, AND MANAGED TO COAST ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE, THROUGH TRAFFIC, TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER WHERE I COULD GET OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS FEW MINUTES WHICH FORTUNATELY DID NOT RESULT IN ANY COLLISION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $589.80. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 63, 661 MILES. *NM

MY SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON MOSTLY RURAL STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 94, DRIVING EASTBOUND NEAR WAUKESHA, WI. I WAS IN THE LEFTMOST LANE WITH NO VEHICLES WITHIN 50 YARDS TO THE FRONT OR BACK OF MY CAR. I DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING STRUCK THE WINDOW AND I DIDN'T SEE ANY CRACKS IN THE GLASS BEFORE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD OUR HEATER ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES INSIDE THE CAR. I DRIVE A 2003 VW PASSAT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES TO MYSELF OR MY PASSENGER RESULTED FROM THE WINDOW EXPLOSION. I DIDN'T REPORT ANYTHING TO THE POLICE OR SHERIFF BECAUSE I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE WINDOW WAS DELIBERATELY SMASHED BY A PERSON WITH A WEAPON OR THROWN OBJECT. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE TWO PHOTOS OF THE WNDOW TAKEN BEFORE THE REMAINING SHATTERED GLASS WAS REMOVED. HOW COMMON IS THIS FOR SIDE WINDOWS? COULD IT BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS? A SPONTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE GLASS? COULD A PROJECTILE THAT I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR STRIKE THE SIDE GLASS WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SHATTER THE WINDOW? *NM

PURCHASE CAR IN FL, NOW LIVE IN IOWA DUE TO JOB TRANSFER. A/C UNIT CONTINUES TO NOT BLOW COLD AIR IN A DEPENDABLE METHOD. HAVE TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART TO SOMETIMES GET IT STARTED AGAIN. NOW TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON JUST AFTER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED 1 MONTH OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. GOT IN CONTACT WITH VW OF AMERICA. WOULD NOT ASIST, BUT INSTEAD SENT $2,000 GOOD FAITH VOUCHER TOWARDS TO PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I65 FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL TO HUNTSVILLE, AL MID MORNING ON THE 27 JANUARY 2006. NEARING THE END OF JOURNEY TO THE HUNTSVILLE TURNED OFF ON I65 AND VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT 2003 LOST COMPLETE POWER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE CAR, AND WAS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A STOP AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. UPON CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HUNTSVILLE, AL. DURING INITIAL INVESTIGATION LED THEM TO BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF $200. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY SAID MY FUEL PUMP WAS DEAD AND NEEDED REPLACING, THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AS NO PETROL COULD BE PUMPED INTO THE ENGINE. I DID NOT KNOW WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BATTERY AS I HAD POWER IN THE CAR. CURRENTLY, CAR WILL NOT BE FIXED UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY AT A COST OF $600 TO ME. I READ ONLINE AT PASSATWORLD.COM FORUM THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. THEY EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO BE DOCUMENTED A LOT MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS OUR 2003 YEAR VW PASSAT COME OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SUSPECTED YEAR WITH THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. I DO NOT SEE HOW THIS FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL UPON ANY DOING OF MY OWN AS I HAVE ALWAYS RUN THE CAR WITH A FULL TANK AND ON 93 OCTANE. VW NEED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, CAUSING A CAR TO LOSE POWER ON A HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY IS LIFE THREATENING AND WILL CAUSE AN OLDER AGE DRIVER TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND CRASH. CAR IS VW PASSAT GLS 2003, 60,000 MILES ON IT, I BOUGHT IT NEW.*AK

ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 26, 2006 I DROVE MY 2003 VW PASSAT AT SHORT DISTANCE (APPROX) 3 MILES. AS I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION AND PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE THE CAR DIED ON ME. THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANYTHING THAT PRECIPITATED THE FAILURE. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED BUT I SOON BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR, FACING THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE FIRE WAS LOCATED TOWARD THE UPPER LEFT-HAND CORNER OF THE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRE WAS FAIRLY FAR ALONG BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. ULTIMATELY, THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE, A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER PROPERTY. THE CAR WAS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 27,500 MILES. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATION CLEARED ME OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT DID NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE FIRE. I EVENTUALLY SETTLED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TURNED THE CAR OVER TO THEM. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER UNTIL A FRIEND GAVE ME AN AP ARTICLE FROM 10/4/07 THAT REPORTED NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS OF ENGINE FIRES IN PASSATS. *TR

I FINANCED A 03 PASSAT GLS 1.8T IN JAN OF 05 A YEAR LATER IT STOPPED RUNNING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS OIL SLUDGE. THE ENGINE HAS A WARRANTY FOR SLUDGE FOR UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR 8YRS. THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THE SLUDGE. VW REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE STATING THAT I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PROOF OF MAINTENANCE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHICH STATEMENT IS FALSE. THE VEHICLE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE DONE IN THE TIME THAT CORRESPONDED, I HAD PROOF OF THEM WHICH I SUBMITTED. THEREFORE I HAVE SPENT 4 MONTHS MAKING PAYMENTS TOWARDS A VEHICLE THAT CAN NOT BE USED. NOW I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE MYSELF SINCE VW REFUSED TO SOLVE THE SITUATION. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING UP HILL AT 25MPH THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PREVIOUSLY THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKING PROBLEMS WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THERE WAS VIBRATION AND GRABBING IN FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE FRONT ROTORS, THE REAR ROTORS AND BOTH CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS FOR TWENTY THOUSAND MILES AND HAS NOW RETURNED.

PASSAT 2003 GLX WITH 40437 MILES. WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING FOR 1-2 SECONDS. THE ENGINE THEN INSTANTLY SHUTDOWN. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS REPORTED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE, AND REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

MY WIFE AND I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 30,100 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN HAS 4 YR/50000 MILES MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, AND AN 8 YEAR/UNLIMITED MILE OIL SLUDGE WARRANTY. WE BROKE DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER REQUIRED OIL CHANGES IN INTERVALS OF 5000 MILES. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 4000 MILES INSTEAD. THE SERVICE WRITER FROM DON JACOBS CALLED AND STATED THAT OUR VOLKSWAGEN NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. HE WENT ON TO STATE THAT WE NEEDED TO PROVIDE ALL OF OUR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FROM THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE. WE WERE SHOCKED, THIS WAS A 2 YEAR OLD CAR. A LONG STORY SHORT WE WERE ABLE TO PRODUCE 5 RECEIPTS. ONCE IT WAS CHANGED IN FLORIDA WHILE ON VACATION (NO RECEIPT),AND ONCE WE RECEIVED A FREE OIL CHANGE AT WAL-MART DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE WAIT (NO RECEIPT). THAT WOULD MAKE A TOTAL OF 7 RECEIPTS (ALL OF THEM).DON JACOBS WOULD NOT BEGIN THE WORK ON OUR CAR UNTIL WE COULD PROVIDE ALL OF THESE RECEIPTS INCLUDING THE 2 THAT ARE NON EXISTENT.THE CAR IS STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY PERIOD,SO AGAIN WE WERE SHOCKED.NEXT THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THEY AND VW OF AMERICA HAVE DECIDED THAT OUR WARRANTY WOULD BE NULLIFIED DUE TO NEGLECT OF MAINTENANCE.THE FUNNY PART IS THAT THIS DIAGNOSIS WAS MADE WITHOUT EVER LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD OF OUR VW.IT IS STILL IN THE SAME SPOT THE TOW TRUCK LEFT IT IN.BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO BELIEVE OR DISCREDIT OUR SIDE OF THIS STORY,OR MAYBE THINK THIS IS AN ISOLATED EVENT PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITES:WWW.MYVWLEMON.COM AND ALSO HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/VWSLUDGE/PETITION.HTML.I HAVE QUICKLY FOUND THAT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US IS LITTERALLY HAPPENING TO 100'S, AND PROBABLY 1,000'S OF PEOPLE IN THE US RIGHT NOW BY THEIR DEALERS AND ALSO VW OF AMERICA NOT TO MENTION THE OTHER MANUFACTURERS. THE SIMILARITIES IN EVERYONES STORIES ON THE WEB ARE FRIGHTENING. .*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RAIN WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE CONCERNS EXPRESSED OF CABLES UNDER THE DASH BECOMING WET, THEREFORE CREATING AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD. THE RAIN WATER USUALLY ACCUMULATED IN THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS WAS OPENED THE WATER TRAVELED TO THE DASH BOARD.

2003 PASSAT BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF A BROKEN FUEL PUMP. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. *KB THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE FAILED PART BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 50000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR REPAIR. *NM

ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. AFTER COASTING DOWN A HILL APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, I EASED INTO THE ACCELERATOR TO CROSS INTERSECTION, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. VW DEALER DIAGNOSED ENGINE LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SAVED OLD PUMP AT MY REQUEST. OLD PUMP IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I CONSIDER ENGINE LOSS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MOST CARS THESE DAYS HAVE STEERING AND BRAKES THAT ARE POWERED BY THE ENGINE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR AND BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. *NM

BOUGHT A 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T IN MAY 2005. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES NOW. THE CAR WILL ALL OF THE SUDDEN START RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FIRST TIME, THEY REPLACED A "DEFECTIVE" SPARK PLUG. WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF GETTING IT BACK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL THE SPARK PLUGS THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME WHAT THEY HAD DONE TO THE CAR, BUT KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN (NOW FOR A WEEK AGAIN) BECAUSE IT BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, DEVELOPED A SLOW OIL LEAK, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. I HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK EVERYTHING ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. *JB

THE HEATED SEATS IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT HAD A MALFUNCTION AND BURNED THROUGH THE CUSHIONING AND PANTS THAT I WAS WEARING. LOOKS LIKE A LARGE CIGARETTE HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT. *NM

LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH HEAVY RAIN RESOLUTION PENDING PASSENGER AIR BAG CAN BE AFFECTED. *JB

I AM INVESTIGATING AND GATHERING INCIDENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FLOODING PROBLEMS THAT VOLKSWAGENS, ESPECIALLY THE PASSAT, EXHIBIT FROM MODEL YEARS 1998 TO THE PRESENT. THERE IS A CHANCE OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR WHICH THIS INFORMATION IS BEING GATHERED. IF INTERESTED, PLEASE RESPOND TO DOCTOR.VINNIE@GMAIL.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION. *NM

ENGINE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL. DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ALSO, IN 2004 OIL PUMP FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. REPAIR NOT COVERED DUE TO INABILITY TO PRODUCE SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. SUNROOF IMPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. NO FOREIGN OBJECT WAS FOUND IN CABIN OF VEHICLE. SUSPECT DEFECT. *NM

2003 VW PASSAT SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING ENGINE NOISE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING CAME ON. VW DETERMINED PROBLEM WAS SLUDGE, AND THEY CLEANED THE ENGINE LEAVING A BILL OF $1900 PLUS THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER WITH MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY UNLESS I CAN PRODUCE OIL CHG RECEIPTS. I HAVE DONE 2 OF THEM MYSELF AND ONLY HAVE BANK STATEMENTS WITH CREDIT CARD CHARGES. THE OTHERS, I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR. THEY ARE STILL REFUSING TO COVER. THIS IS A MAJOR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHANGE FROM REGULAR OIL TO SYNTHETIC OIL CAME IN 2004, A YEAR AFTER I WAS FOLLOWING THEIR PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS, ETC. FOR A KNOWN ISSUE, THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HOLD CONSUMERS HOSTAGE ON A SITUATION LIKE THIS. I DO MY OWN OIL CHGS TO SAVE MONEY. MY 10K OIL CHG AT VW WAS $110. I CAN DO IT FOR LESS THEN HALF OF THAT AMOUNT. *NM

MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRYING TO GET THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY. THREE RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THE TIMING BELT WENT WELL BEFORE THE SCHEDULED REPLACEMENT,THUS DESTROYING THE ENGINE+.THE CAR HAS 83K MILES AND NOT RECOMMEND TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 105K. THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES REPORTED ON THE WEB OF THE HAPPENING. MY CAR WAS IN FOR A SERVICE CHECK AT 78K AND OTHER PROBLEM ITEMS WERE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION; HOWEVER, A TIMING BELT PROBLEM WAS NOT. VOLKSWAGEN IS BLAMING THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE DEPARMENT IS BLAMING VOLKSWAGEN. SO FAR NO RESOLUTION. THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF VW AND AUDI HAVING TIMING BELT ISSUES ON THE INTERENET. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STOP ENGINE NOW- LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD FOR INSPECTION. SHE CHECKED THE DIP STICK FOR AN OIL READING. THE READING INDICATED THE VEHICLE CONTAINED NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. SHE ADDED OIL TO THE ENGINE BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NO HOWEVER, REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE . *AK

INSTANT FUEL PUMP FAILURE. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT WITH 9 WEEK OLD CHILD IN THE CAR. CAR SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY. DOES NOT RESTART. DID MANAGE TO GET BABY INTO WARM VEHICLE AND HOME. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB

DUE TO A SUNROOF DRAIN CLOG, OUR 2003 PASSAT WAGON PASSENGER FLOORBOARD QUICKLY FILLED WITH WATER IN WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS MAJOR FLOODING. AS AN IMMEDIATE AND DIRECT RESULT WITH NO OPPORTUNITY TO REACT AND RESPOND OUR CAR BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. AFTER GETTING IT STARTED AND BEING UNAWARE OF THE SITUATION WE WERE DEALING WITH, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. DURING THAT RIDE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE, THE CAR BEGAN TO LURCH AND ULTIMATELY SHUT DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO CALL VW FOR A TOW AND WAS RESPONDED TO PROMPTLY. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT EXAMINED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WERE BOTH SUBMERGED AS THEY BOTH REST UNDERNEATH THE CARPET IN THE FLOORBOARD. BOTH ITEMS WERE DEEMED TO BE NONFUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALONG WITH THE LABOR TO CLEAN CARPETS AND REPLACE THESE PARTS THE TOTAL BILL WAS AROUND 2300 DOLLARS. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT: THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER; THERE IS NO LITERATURE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR BUYERS GUIDE THAT SUGGESTS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THESE DRAINS UNCLOGGED. I MEAN IF MAJOR FLOODING IN THE FLOORBOARD OF A VEHICLE, A PLACE WHERE THE VITAL COMPUTER MODULES ARE KEPT, IS GOING TO CREATE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE THEN IT SHOULD BE NOTATED AND/OR MADE CLEAR TO THE BUYER AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND WORTHY OF WARRANTING A RECALL. IF YOU NEED VERIFICATION OF MANY MORE INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME TYPES OF VEHICLES (VW PASSATS, ETC.) CREATING THE SAME TYPES OF CONSEQUENCES ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS VISIT THE FORUM AT THEAUTOBAHN.COM AND I AM SURE YOU WILL BE JUST AS DISTURBED AND FRUSTRATED AS I WAS EVEN IF YOU DON'T OWN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. A VERY ANGRY CONSUMER. *NM

CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LURCHING WHILE DRIVING AND ULTIMATELY TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAG FAILURE. *NM

EARLY FUEL PUMP FAILURE. 22,000 MILES (VOLKSWAGEN). THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE DEALER COMMENTED THAT IT HAS BEEN COMMON FOR 2003 PASSAT TO HAVE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 12/01/05. *JB

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEATED SEATS ON, NOTICED BURNING IN MY LEFT THIGH. SMELLED SMOKE, BURNED MY INDEX FINGER IN SMOLDERING HOLE IN SEAT. TURNED OFF HEATER AND NOTED JUST LIGHT SMOKE. VW SAYS IT WAS A RECALL ITEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE (ORIGINAL OWNER). THEY WILL REPLACE IT. *JB

ON THE MORNING OF NOV. 18, 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THOUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IT WAS A COLD MORNING, SO I HAD THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT WARMER ACTIVATED AT LEVEL 4 (HIGHEST SETTING IS 5). AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. AT FIRST I DISCOUNTED IT AS MERELY THE SMELL OF THE CAR'S HEATER OR SOMETHING EXTERNAL. BUT I SOON FELT EXCESSIVE HEAT ON MY BUTTOCKS AND STOPPED THE CAR, LEAVING IT RUNNING. WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT, THERE WAS A SMOLDERING HOLE ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF AN INCH IN DIAMETER ON THE BACK-LEFT SURFACE OF THE LEATHER SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER UNIT HAD BURNED A HOLE THOUGH THE SEAT SURFACE AND, WERE IT NOT FOR MY WOOL PANTS, COULD HAVE BURNED MY SKIN. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY LOCAL DEALER, GOSSETT VOLKSWAGEN. THE SERVICE ASSISTANT TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT UNCOMMON AND THAT IT THE HEATING ELEMENT AND SEAT WOULD BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE SOME OF THE NECESSARY PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED, I WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AT A LATER DATE. THE SERVICE ASSISTANT INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO USE THE SEAT WARMER FEATURE IN THE INTERIM. WHILE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OBVIOUS EQUIPMENT FAILURE, I AM MORE CONCERNED THAT SUCH AN EVENT COULD IGNITE THE SEAT COVER, THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE ITEMS, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND/OR BODILY HARM. *NM

DRIVING A 2003 VW PASSAT GLX WAGON ON A ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY, THIS SHOCKING INCIDENT DIDN'T CAUSE US TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT DID FILL THE CAR WITH SMOKE AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND GET OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP (KING VOLKSWAGEN, GAITHERSBURG, MD) AND THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR PROBABLY HIT A CURB AT 35 MPH AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND I KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWED DOWN AT ALL, AND WE DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE HITTING ANYTHING. BECAUSE THIS ROAD WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WE MAY HAVE BRUSHED A MAN HOLE COVER THAT WAS STICKING UP INTO THE ROAD, BUT NOT HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN OR TO CAUSE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE. I LOOKED AT THE IMPACT POINT IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND IT IS JUST A SMALL DENT TO A METAL CUP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE WAS SHOCKED THAT THIS SMALL DENT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO BLOW. THE CAR DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY REPAIRS EXCEPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. I COMPLAINED TO VW CORPORATE AND THEY HAD ME BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO TAKE PICTURES AND READINGS FROM THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THEY SENT THAT INFORMATION TO VW CORPORATE AND CORPORATE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS MY FAULT. *NM

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON MERRITT PARKWAY IN WILTON, CT. THE PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE PARKWAY, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND DIED, AND I MANAGED TO HAVE ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. NO WARNINGS AT ALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE PART BY THE NEXT DAY. I DISASSEMBLED THE OLD PUMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRUSHES IN THE MOTOR HAD WORN EXCESSIVELY- THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 58200 MILES. I AN KEEPING THE OLD PART IN MY CUSTODY. THE NEW FUEL PUMP PART NO. IS 8E0906087D. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUMS ON VW ENTHUSIAST WEB SITES REVEALS THAT THE FAILURES APPEAR ON A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL RATE ON '03 MODEL YEAR VW PASSATS. DISCUSSIONS HERE: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188629 HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1982739&POSTID=22264430#22264430 AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, HAVING THE FUEL PUMP FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAN HAVE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. *JB

I RECENTLY WAS NOTIFIED OF VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN M2 CONCERNING SEAT HEATERS FOR 2002-2003 VW PASSATS. I HAVE HAD LESS THAN AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE FROM BOTH THE DEALER AND THE VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL LETTER FROM VW FROM MY FTP SERVER USING THE FOLLOWING LINK: <FTP://PUBLIC:PUBLIC@BADKITTY.HOMEFTP.ORG/VW%20M2/VW%20M2%20LETTER.PDF> YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A COPY OF MY RESPONSE TO VW USING THE FOLLOWING LINK: <FTP://PUBLIC:PUBLIC@BADKITTY.HOMEFTP.ORG/VW%20M2/CAMPAIGN%20M2%20RESPONSE%20--%2020051110.PDF> IF YOU CANNOT ACCESS EITHER FILE, PLEASE CONTACT ME SO THAT I CAN DETERMINE AN ALTERNATE METHOD TO SEND THE INFORMATION TO NHTSA -- THIS FORM LIMITED SIZE TO 2,000 CHARACTERS. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED THE CONTACT'S LEG WHILE USING THE SEAT HEATER. ALSO, SHE PULLED THE MUSCLES IN HER BACK AND HIP WHEN SHE JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THE SAME TYPE OF SEAT IS BEING USED TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SEAT. *AK

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAR JUST STARTED SLOWING DOWN, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 53000 MILES ON IT. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER TO POSITION 5, WITHIN 1 MINUTE, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SMOKE WAS RISING FROM MY SEAT, I FELT A HOT BURNING SENSATION UNDER MY LEFT UPPER THIGH AND REALIZED THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON FIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH MY LEATHER SEAT AND LEFT DAMAGE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. CONTACTED LOCAL VW DEALER (MARTENS VOLKSWAGEN, BETHESDA, MD) WAS ASKED TO BRING CAR IN IMMEDIATELY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED, SEAT WARMER DISCONNECTED, DRIVER'S SEAT WILL BE REPLACED. *JB

AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER TO 5, WITHIN 2 MINUTES NOTICED BURNING SMELL, FELT HOT BURNING SENSATION ON LEFT BUTTOCK AND SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE. ONE CENTIMETER BURN HOLE IN SEAT. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL IN CAR. TURNED OFF SEAT HEATERS IMMEDIATELY, SEAT SMOKED FOR 10 MORE MINUTES. *NM

FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 44385 MILES. *JB

I DRIVE A 2003 VW PASSAT AND WHILE DRIVING A TWO LANE ROAD THE SEAT HEATER INSIDE THE LEATHER SEATS IGNITED BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING A HOLE IN MY PANTS AND BURNING MY BEHIND CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND EXIT THE VEHICLE TO AVOID OTHER INJURY AS THE SEAT BURNED. THIS HAS BEEN APPARENTLY REPORTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES YET VW REFUSES A RECALL. VW AGREED TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND PANTS BUT REFUSED ANY OTHER COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED. *JB

PROBLEM WITH 2003 PASSAT GLX FUEL PUMPS. THERE ARE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL PUMPS THAT FAIL ON THE PASSAT MODEL. VW HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP, BUT ONLY ON THE GOLF, NEW BETTLE AND JETTA, NOT THE PASSATS. VW HAS AN ADMITTED PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT WILLING TO COVER ALL MODELS AFFECTED. *NM