# 2000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `570827` · 2006-01-30 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 2000
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 49,200
## Narrative
DT*:  THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER AN HOUR, WHEN THE HEAT SHIELD ON THE TOP OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BEGAN TO SMOLDER.  NO INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM.  THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND CAME, ALTHOUGH NO FLAMES ERUPTED.  THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE.  HOWEVER, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE WAS THE HEAT SHIELD.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*