NHTSA Complaint #10808937 — 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Fire

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10808937
Vehicle	2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Component	ENGINE
Date of Incident	December 5, 2015
Date Filed	December 7, 2015
Mileage	183,000 miles
Crash	No
Fire	Yes
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	CA

Consumer Description

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING UPHILL. NEEDLE ON THERMOSTAT GAUGE SUDDENLY PERKED REALLY FAST TOWARDS HOT. ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SIDE OF ROAD AND ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF FRONT OF ENGINE. DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF CAR. WHILE INSPECTING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THE DRIVER SAW FLICKERING FLAMES UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE (AS SEEN FROM INSIDE). DRIVER TOOK SLEEPING CHILD OUT OF CAR SEAT AND STEPPED AWAY FROM CAR. CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE WITHIN MINUTES AND COMPLETELY BURNT UP.

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