NHTSA Complaint #10416868 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING BELT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION COIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DESIGNED TO BE A LIFETIME TIMING SYSTEM AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR CAM GEAR ADJUSTERS, CONTROL SOLENOID HOUSING, ADJUSTER BOLTS AND TIMING CHAINS, THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALS, TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTS, EXHAUST GASKETS, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, INJECTOR SEALS, CHAIN COVER, CHAIN TENSIONERS, REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY GASKETS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.