1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash Problems

WHILE EN-ROUTE BETWEEN DEXTER, MICHIGAN AND GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, CABIN BEGAN TO SMELL OF SMOKE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A HALON EXTINGUISHER PROMPTLY. EXAMINATION OF THE COMPONENTS POST-FIRE REVEALED A DEFECTIVE CENTER CONDUCTOR. CIRCUIT WAS FUSED AT 10 AMPS WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE BLOWN, POST FIRE. NO INJURIES, NO DAMAGE TO PERSONAL GOODS, DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO CIGARETTE LIGHTER ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS POORLY DESIGNED. *NM

I PURCHASED A 1997 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VR6 AT CHECKERED FLAG BMW IN JUNE 2004, AND SINCE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE. FIRST, THE AIR CONDITIONER( A/C) QUIT WORKING, THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE AC STARTED WORKING FOR A DAY, THEN BLEW A CHEMICAL CLOUD INTO THE VEHICLE, WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY EYES WERE BURNING (AS WELL AS MY FACE) FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. FINALLY, I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, AND THERE'S A SLOW COOLANT LEAK. MAY I SUGGEST THAT WE REMOVE ALL VW'S FROM AMERICA'S STREETS? THEY ARE A TOTAL MENACE TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THEM! I WENT TO CHECKERED FLAG VW, TO HAVE IT SERVICED, AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE 89 DOLLARS A PROBLEM, JUST TO LOOK, THEN THEY SAID I COULD TRADE IT FOR A NEW ONE. WHY WOULD I WANT A NEW ONE?...