NHTSA Complaint #10609588 — 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VW PASSAT TDI SE (THE "VEHICLE") LOST POWER, CAUSING THE GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. TO PREVENT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, THE VEHICLE ENTERED INTO LIMP MODE. WHILE IN LIMP MODE, THE AUTOMOBILE BECOMES UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, FORCING THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER AND PHONE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT WHICH TIME NOTIFICATION WAS GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE'S TURBO NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY A WEEK. DURING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SERVICE CONSULTANT, THEY STATED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED RECENTLY BY VW, ON TURBO FAILURES AND PROPER MODIFICATIONS OF THE INSTALLATION TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 3-4 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SECOND TURBO FAILURE. AT WHICH TIME, THE TURBO FAILED WHILE CROSSING INTO TRAFFIC, JEOPARDIZING LIVES OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. VW HAS ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE TURBO. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN TWO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE VEHICLE LOSING POWER INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOTHING SUSTAINED. IF THE TURBO FAILS AGAIN, THAT WOULD BE A THIRD OCCURRENCE. VW'S RESPONSE TO THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RATHER INSIGNIFICANT. *TR