Volkswagen Recalls 2012-2014 Passat Diesel Models for Fire Risk
Volkswagen is recalling 2012-2014 Passat diesel vehicles because a short heat shield may allow grease to leak and contact hot exhaust parts, increasing fire risk.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk of fire due to a mechanical defect, but the source text does not report any injuries, deaths, or specific incidents, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for risk-of-harm products where injury has not yet been reported.
Plain-English summary
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The recall involves 84,262 vehicles. The defect involves the underbody heat shield, which may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat. This can result in a grease leak.
If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire. No specific injuries or deaths are reported in the source text.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
- Brand
- VOLKSWAGEN
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Passenger Car
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 84,262
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (1)
- PASSAT
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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