# 2000 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
> NHTSA complaint `511596` · 2004-12-13 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** BEETLE
- **Year:** 2000
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
- **Miles at failure:** 43,000
- **Speed:** 20 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-40 MPH, SUDDENLY THE VENTILATION PANEL BECAME HOT. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM ON THE KNOB MELTED.  THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING OUT THE AIR VENT.  VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES OF THE CONSUMER EXITING THE VEHICLE, AND CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE.   THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS REPORTEDLY DUE TO INTERIOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
---
*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*