# 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — POWER TRAIN
> NHTSA complaint `914478` · 2012-04-14 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** Yes
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 2012
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** POWER TRAIN
## Narrative
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 PASSAT TDI.  I REALLY LIKED THE CAR.  HOWEVER, I HAVE A SAFETY SUGGESTION THAT MAY SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE IN THE FUTURE.  LET ME TELL YOU MY EXPERIENCE.  I TOOK POSSESSION ON FEBRUARY 9, 2012.  ON MARCH 15, I CAME HOME TO LUNCH AND PULLED IN MY GARAGE.  APPARENTLY, I DID NOT HAVE THE BACK TIRES ALL THE WAY IN.  OUR DRIVEWAY HAS A SLIGHT INCLINE.  I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND WAS WATERING SOME FLOWERS.  IN A FEW MOMENTS MY CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVE, CURVED AND WENT OFF AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT TREES ON THE WAY DOWN.  IT WAS TOTALED.  I HAD IT ONE MONTH AND ONE WEEK.  NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS SICK.    NOW I REALIZE THAT I DID NOT HAVE IT IN PARK.  THIS CAR WAS DIFFERENT THAT ANY CAR THAT I HAVE DRIVEN IN THE PAST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE AN IGNITION TO PUT THE KEY IN. YOU JUST HAVE A BUTTON TO TURN IT ON AND TURN IT OFF.  BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFERENT, I WAS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT PUSHING THE BUTTON TO TURN IT OFF.  IN ALL OF MY OTHER CARS YOU COULDN'T GET THE KEYS OUT UNLESS YOU HAD IT IN PARK.  I HAD MADE THIS MISTAKE A FEW TIMES BUT WAS ALWAYS ON A FLAT AREA-USUALLY IN MY GARAGE.    MY SUGGESTION IS THAT YOU HAVE A FEATURE ON THESE PUSH BUTTON VEHICLES THAT WILL SOUND SOME KIND OF ALARM WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF AND NOT IN PARK.  MY HEART CRINGES WHEN I THINK THAT I COULD HAVE DONE THIS WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT IN THEIR CAR SEATS.  THIS CAR HAS MANY FEATURES AND IS VERY TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED, BUT I STRONGLY FEEL THAT A FEATURE SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE PLACED
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*