NHTSA Complaint #703415 — 1992 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ACCORDING TO THE VOLKSWAGEN'S OWNERS MANUAL THE TIMING BELT MUST BE REPLACED EVERY 60,000 MILES. THE ORIGINAL TIMING BELT BROKE AROUND MY 58,000 MILES, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CYLINDER HOUSING, AND VW PAID A PORTION OF THE COST. MY REPLACEMENT TIMING BELT BROKE AT THE 109000 MILE MARK; WELL BEFORE IT'S RECOMENDED REPLACEMENT, AND CAUSED DAMAGE INSIDE THE CYLINDER HOUSING. VW REFUSES TO PAY ANY OF THE COST THIS DEFECTIVE PART CAUSED TO MY VEHICLE. THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICES, AND THEY WOULD HAVE CHECKED THE TENSION OF THE TIMING BELT. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO MENTION OF IT IN THE SERVICE MANUAL. I MAINTAINED AND HAD REGULAR SERVICES PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT REPAIR SHOPS THAT WAS USUALLY CHEAPER THAN GOING THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK