NHTSA Complaint #10194815 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

WHILE PULLING THE DIPSTICK OUT OF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO CHECK THE OIL, THE PULL RING/HANDLE BROKE OFF. I CONTACTED MY DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT AS THE CAR IS STILL UNDER A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT BECAUSE I PULLED THE DIPSTICK OUT OF THE ENGINE RATHER THAN A DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE WARRANT IS NOT APPLICABLE. IN EFFECT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY MUST DO ALL OF THE OIL LEVEL CHECKS, OTHERWISE I DO NOT HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE COMPONENTS AFFECTED. I APPEALED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CONFIRMED THE DEALER'S DECISION. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS THAT THE OIL LEVEL, NECESSARY TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION OF THE CAR, CAN NOT BE CHECKED.