NHTSA Complaint #10201235 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

AS I DROVE HOME FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOT INTO THE RED AND WARNINGS FLASHED ON THE DASH TO STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I PULLED OVER AT THE FIRST HIGHWAY EXIT AND PARKED AT A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN WATER PUMP IMPELLAR, ESSENTIALLY A SMALL FAN-LIKE DEVICE THAT KEEPS COOLANT MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MECHANICS EXPLAINED THAT THIS MODEL VW USED A PLASTIC IMPELLAR INSTEAD OF THE METAL ONES COMMONLY USED IN MOST CARS. APPARENTLY, VW HAS RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PLASTIC PART IS FAILURE PRONE, AND NOW MAKES ALUMINUM REPLACEMENT IMPELLARS. BUT THE MECHANICS SAID I WASN'T ENTITLED TO ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $879, PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A REPLACEMENT CAR. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB