NHTSA complaint: 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PROCEEDING TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND SCRAP METAL PASSED THROUGH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE HAND AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIB. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000. ....UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED AIRBAG RECALL REPLACEMENT COULD NOT BE COMPLETED-PART NOT AVAILABLE- DEALER INSTALLED "CLOCK SPRING" AS TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL NEW AIRBAG AVAILABLE- RECALL SPRING OF 2016- PART NEVER MADE AVAILABLE. VW ENGINEERS WOULD EXAMINE THE CAR AT THE SALVAGE SITE, ENGINEERS DETERMINED CONSUMER FOOT WAS ON THE GAS, NOT BRAKE PEDAL AND THERE WERE NO TEARS IN THE AIRBAG AND THEREFORE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MECHANICAL FAILURES OR PERSONAL INJURIES. CONSUMER STATED FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT GAS PEDAL. UPDATED 66/22/18*JB
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation