NHTSA Complaint #10178169 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING issue reported to NHTSA

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Fire

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10178169
Vehicle	2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Date of Incident	June 1, 2003
Date Filed	January 9, 2007
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	Yes
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	MA

Consumer Description

OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN AND SMELLED A WEIRD ODOR, SO HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED TOWARD THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND OBSERVED SMOKE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE STATED HE OBSERVED FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM PART OF A WIRE HARNESS. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS SHOWED A SLIGHTLY RICH FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IN THE CYLINDERS, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE OVERHEATED EXHAUST COMPONENTS. CAUSE OF FIRE UNDETERMINED. *NM

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