NHTSA Complaint #11089654 — 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DETAILS OF HOW THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WERE NOT PROVIDED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, OPENED CASE NUMBER: 180380670, AND REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.