# 1996 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
> NHTSA complaint `495633` · 2004-09-12 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 1996
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
- **Miles at failure:** 99,635
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
NO EVENT LEADING TO THE FAILURE...  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN MY HEATER CORE FAILED.. CAUSING SOLDING HOT COOLANT TO RUSH ONTO MY FEET WHILE DRIVING.. I HAD TO BRAKE WHILE COOLANT WAS ALL OVER MY FEET...BURNING THEM...NEARLY CAUSING AND ACCIDENT!*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*