Preliminary Evaluation · PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE · Opened 1999-01-29 · Closed 1999-02-08
Investigation
Action number
PE99007
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Open date
1999-01-29
Close date
1999-02-08
Manufacturer
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Affected makes
VOLKSWAGEN
Affected components
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Affected model years
1999
Affected (make, year) variants
1
Summary
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 4, 1999, VOLKSWAGEN STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL APPROXIMATELY 23,600 REDESIGNED 1999 JETTA AND GOLF 4-DOOR VEHICLES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY 11,000 HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CUSTOMERS, TO CORRECT A DEFECT THATMAY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PASSENGEER COMPARTMENT AFTER A VEHICLE COLLISION.A SOUND INSULATION MATERIAL ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE OF THE B-PILLAR TRIM PANEL COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED.IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION SEVERE ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER, THE HOT EXHAUST GAS FROM THE PRETENSIONER COULD IGNITE THE INSULATION MATERIAL IF IT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE PRETENSIONER.VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION MATERIAL FROM THE B-PILLARS.