NHTSA Complaint #11156846 — 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

THE WELD BEADS ON THE DOWN PIPE FLANGE ADJACENT TO THE TURBO CHARGER FAILED AND RESULTED IN A HUGE EXHAUST LEAK. THE HEAT (COMING OUT FROM THE OPENING) GOT TRAPPED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND MELTED THE VACUUM HOSE CONNECTED WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. AS A RESULT, POWER DECREASED BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, BREAKING POWER WAS LOST AS WELL. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AND JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS AND THE DEFECT ON THIS MODEL IS ACTUALLY NOT UNCOMMON. LOW QUALITY FACTORY WELDS ON THE COMPONENTS SHOULD BE RE-WELDED AND THE CHEAP HARD PLASTIC HOSES SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH BETTER QUALITY AND MORE RELIABLE HOSES.