# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
> NHTSA complaint `894126` · 2011-12-07 · 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
## Narrative
OWNER DROVE THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2.8 V6 ENGINE) HOME AND PARKED IT. HE CAME BACK OUT TO THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER AND FOUND THE VEHICLE SMOKING. SMALL FIRE AT RIGHT FRONT FLOOR PAN/MINOR MELTING OF DASH PLASTICS CAUSED BY HEAT FROM RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE/CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HEAT SHIELD MELTED, RUBBER BODY PLUG IGNITED AND CONSUMED, CARPET JUST ABOVE BODY PLUG WAS CHARRED. CAR JUST HAD RIGHT SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIPE REPLACED.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*