NHTSA Complaint #10297406 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

VW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. (OPEN CAMPAIGN: 26E5/R5). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO ADDRESS THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR COULD NOT BE SERVICED WITHOUT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BOTH JOINTS WERE SAID TO HAVE SMALL FRACTURES IN THE METAL AND BRAIDED STEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE EXHAUST LINE TO BE DROPPED VIA THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS AND THAT THEY COULD BE BROKEN IN THE PROCESS. IF DAMAGE TO THE JOINTS OCCURRED, THE CHARGE FOR THE PARTS (EXCLUDING LABOR) WOULD BE $1500 AND THAT THE FULL BILL FOR PARTS/LABOR WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE COST, I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE HEAT SHIELDS REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE VOLKSWAGEN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COST OF REPLACING THE HEAT SHIELD UP TO AND INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS, SHOULD THAT BE NECESSARY. *TR