NHTSA Complaint #10154569 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

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