# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `820788` · 2010-10-19 · 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:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 115,000
- **Speed:** 70 mph
## Narrative
CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT CAUSED FABRIC MATERIAL BEHIND SILVER REFLECTIVE LINER ON PASSENGER SIDE TO CATCH AND HOLD A SMOLDER AND FLAME CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURAL BODY PANELS AND MELTING SOME PLASTIC COMPONENTS.  FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY USING A CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND REMAINING SMOLDERING COMPONENTS HAD TO BE EXTINGUISHED AS EXPOSED MANUALLY.  CAUSED GRASS TO CATCH FIRE AND LEFT SMOKY RESIDUE. *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*