NHTSA Complaint #10154876 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM SMITH VOLKSWAGEN OF WILMINGTON, DE. FROM THE BEGINNING THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE TOTAL ENGINE SHUTDOWN AT MID-RPM WHILE UNDER FULL ACCELERATION. THIS MADE ANY KIND OF MERGING INTO TRAFFIC MANEUVER A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. THIS CAUSED US FOR THE ENTIRE TIME WE OWNED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY MODIFY THE WAY WE DROVE - NEVER KNOWING WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD DIE OUT. NOW AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THIS FOR 3 YEARS I RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE "SAFETY RECALL M7", ONE MONTH AFTER WE TRADED IN THE VOLKSWAGEN ON ANOTHER CAR. THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES OUR PROBLEM BUT UNDERPLAYS THE HAVOC THE PROBLEM CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE WHEN IT OCCURS TO YOUR CAR. THESE VEHICLES ARE A DANGER TO THEIR DRIVERS AND TO ALL THE CARS AROUND THEM ON THE ROAD. THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE HIGHWAY UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED NOW THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS FINALLY ADMITTED SOMETHING IS WRONG 3 YEARS LATER. *NM