NHTSA Complaint #10565969 — 2005 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 45 MPH PARTICLES FROM THE A/C VENTS STARTING COMING OUT AND FLEW INTO MY EYE. DISTRACTED I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I ENDED UP USING A WATER BOTTLE TO FLUSH MY EYES OUT TO STOP THE IRRITATION. THE PARTICLES ARE BLACK AND DISINTEGRATE INTO DUST OR POWDER UPON CONTACT. I HAVE SEARCH THE INTERNET IN REFERENCE TO THIS ISSUE AND FOUND OUT THAT SEVERAL INCIDENTS ARE OCCURRING. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THE ISSUE AND HOW EXPENSIVE A REPAIR IT WOULD BE. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO KEEP BLOWING OUT THE DUCTS WITH COMPRESSED AIR UNTIL THE HEAT SHIELD IS GONE. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HEAT SHIELD IF ITS NOT NECESSARY? THE PART NUMBER I WAS GIVEN IS 1J1820007 HOUSING WITH EVAPORATOR. I JUST SPOKE WITH VW CONSUMER DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALLS OR SAFETY ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED. THIS CAN AND IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BOTH FROM A SAFETY STAND POINT AND CAR MANUFACTURE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CONSUMER. *TR