# 2001 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `732380` · 2009-08-21 · 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:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 2001
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 175,000
- **Speed:** 30 mph
## Narrative
MY FOSTER SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2001 VW PASSAT WHEN HE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD.  HE PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND THERE WERE FLAMES ENGULFING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.  FIRE AND POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE.  IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR LATER THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE COMPUTER LOCATED IN THE DASH AREA OF THE CAR.  THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MELTED BEYOND REPAIR.  WE HAVE A FIRE REPORT AND PICTURES. *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*