Recall - Secure Intake Air Screen: Overview

RECALL CIRCULAR

August 1998

CODE: UB

SUBJECT:
Secure Intake Air Screen

MODELS:
1998 Volkswagen Passat, V6 5-Valve Engine Vehicles

Dear Volkswagen Dealer:

This is to inform you of a voluntary safety recall campaign of some 1998 model Volkswagen Passat vehicles equipped with a V6 5-valve engine. This recall involves securing the mass airflow sensor's air screen.

PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

In the event of a cold-start engine backfire, the mass airflow sensor's air screen can be damaged which could prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RANGE

The V6 5-valve engine vehicles affected by this recall are within the following vehicle identification number range:

WVW_ D _3B_WEOOOOO1 - WVW_D_3B_WE436377

Please note that the above VINs represent the lowest and highest serial numbers of affected vehicles. Use of the V-Crest campaign inquiry system will allow you to determine whether or not a particular vehicle, within the above VIN range, requires the corrective work

NOTE:
Volkswagen will not reimburse under this recall action any duplicate recall repair work or a repair outside the VIN range.

MODEL NUMBER
3B__S_

Important:
Please Provide A Copy To All Personnel With Recall-Related Responsibilities!

DEALER INVENTORY VEHICLES -
LIMITATION ON SALE OR LEASE OF CERTAIN VEHICLES

Section 154(d) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 mandates that dealers correct, prior to delivery for sale or lease, any vehicle which fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard or which contains a defect relating to motor vehicle safety. It is, therefore, imperative that any vehicle in your new car inventory and affected by this recall, evidenced by the UB code in the V-Crest campaign inquiry system, is corrected prior to sale.

REMEDIAL ACTION

Check affected vehicles and, if necessary, install a retaining ring into the mass airflow sensor housing.

OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING

Volkswagen of America, Inc. will mail recall notification letters to all known owners of affected vehicles on or about August 24, 1998. A copy of the owner letter is included in this circular.

VEHICLE ALLOCATION

Enclosed with this circular is a computer list containing the VINs and, where applicable, the names and addresses of affected vehicles located in your dealership's area of responsibility.

PARTS INFORMATION

Prior to owner notification, we will automatically ship to you an initial supply of required parts based on your vehicle allocation count. The parts are as follows, depending on requirement:





Additional required parts must be ordered by you from your facing parts depot.

Please refrain from over-ordering any of these applicable parts; you may be required to return excess inventory.

PARTS RETURN

Any removed mass airflow sensor must be properly tagged and returned to:

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Road (GE02)
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
ATTN: (UB) Inspection

REPLACEMENT TIME/REIMBURSEMENT

To ensure prompt reimbursement, use the correct reimbursement code applicable to the work performed on the specific vehicle. Recall claims will only be paid for vehicles which include the recall code UB in the V-Crest system at the time of the repair.





UB Data Entry Procedure





For all vehicles which, according to your information are unreachable, please enter into the system one of the codes indicated as applicable:

RECALL VERIFICATION

For verification, always check your V-Crest recall inquiry system. The V-Crest system is the only campaign verification system; other systems are not valid.

DEALER OBLIGATION

To ensure customer satisfaction, as well as minimize inconvenience, dealers are urged to service each vehicle at the scheduled service appointment time; offer and supply a loaner vehicle for one (1) day, if necessary; and make sure that each vehicle is returned to the customer washed and cleaned inside. Do not let any customer wait longer than necessary during the recall service of the vehicle. Every effort should be made to reduce inconvenience to customers.

This recall service must be performed by the servicing dealer irrespective of mileage or where the vehicle was originally sold.

SERVICE HELP

If you have any questions regarding this or any other recall or service action, please contact me at (248) 340-4850, or

Gerald Lasky (248) 340-4734
John von Hollen (248) 340-4858
Sheila Gailliard (248) 340-4855

DEALER PERSONNEL INFORMATION

PLEASE INFORM AND/OR PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS COMMUNICATION TO EVERY PERSON IN YOUR DEALERSHIP WHO HAS CAMPAIGN-RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING ACCOUNTING PERSONNEL.

Thank you for your cooperation.