Owner Letter
August 1998SUBJECT:
Voluntary Safety Recall UB
Secure Intake Air Screen
Dear Volkswagen Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Volkswagen has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some early production 1998 model Passat vehicles equipped with a V6 5-valve engine. Our records show that your Passat is one of the vehicles affected by this voluntary recall.
DEFECT DESCRIPTION
It has been determined that in the event the engine of your vehicle backfires during cold-start a screen located in the mass airflow sensor of the engine's air intake system could be damaged if the screen is not properly seated. A damaged screen could allow screen particles to enter the air intake system which could prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position and cause an accident.
CORRECTION OF DEFECT
Your authorized Volkswagen dealer will secure the air screen by installing a specially designed retaining ring.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Please contact the Service Department of your authorized Volkswagen dealer as soon as possible and schedule an appointment for the repair. The required work will take approximately one hour and will, of course, be free of charge. Your dealer will have service instructions and repair parts available on August 24, 1998.
PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE
Prior to the time the work is performed, please be alert to your vehicle's engine idle speed. If you notice a significantly increased idle speed, please contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer immediately.
LEASE VEHICLE
If the vehicle identified in this recall is a leased vehicle and you, the Lessor and registered owner receive this notice, please forward this information by first class mail to the Lessee.
SERVICE PROBLEM HELP
If your authorized Volkswagen dealer fails or is unable to remedy the defect free of charge within a reasonable time, please call or write to:
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Attn: Customer Relations - 2F02 (UB)
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2855
Toll-free Telephone: 1(800) 822-8987
If you still cannot obtain satisfaction, you may file a complaint with: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (800) 424-9393 (Washington, DC area: 366-0123).
We regret any inconvenience this matter may cause you; however, we want to make sure that your Passat is safe and operates to your satisfaction.
Thank you for driving a Volkswagen.