While driving at roughly 25 MPH, heater core failed. Interior of vehicle immediately began filling with foul smelling dense smoke, and windows became coated with a film. Driver quickly pulled off the road, which fortunately was easy as we were in a residential neighborhood. Driver and passengers believed the engine was on fire, as the true cause of the failure was not immediately known. We quickly evacuated all 4 passengers, including a 5 year old child who was strapped in a car seat. This was a terrifying experience. We had exited a busy freeway less than 1 minute before. If this failure had occurred while we were still on the freeway, we may not have been able to pull off the road safely prior to the driver's vision being completely impaired. This could have proved disastrous. After the issue was identified, and we began to do some research, we were very upset to find that this appears to be a recurring problem with our vehicle. We were also stunned to read the complaint summaries on the federal safety agency site which noted that some drivers/passengers were injured by hot steam/coolant leaking into the passenger compartment. It is amazing that a technical service bulletin or recall has not yet been issued for this problem. As of the time this complaint is being filed, we are also drafting a letter to volkswagen to urge them to address this failure. A failure that can cause total loss of visibility in a brief period of time, and therefore loss of control of a vehicle, should be considered extremely serious. We strongly urge the federal safety agency to take appropriate measures to ensure that this failure is addressed.
1993 Volkswagen Passat: fire, smoke or burning smell
9 of the 68 complaints about the 1993 Volkswagen Passat describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- recalls
- 0
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The left fog light started smoking, and then on fire. I was sitting inside the vehicle, cleaning it. The lights were on, including the fog lights. I smelled burning plastic, and didn't think much of it at first, it got worse, so I got out of the car and saw smoke coming from around the right side of the bumper. I got under there to see what's going on, and seconds later a piece of burning plastic with the bulb still in it fell into the inside of the bumber, apparently it separated from the main unit of the light. I had to stuff it with snow to stop the fire. There was no serious damage to the vehicle beyound the light itself. Later on I purchased a pair of used fog lights from ebay to replace mine. When trying to replace them, it turned out that the left light on my vehicle was also burnt, and the piece with the bulb fell out of it too. The lights I bought also tirned out to be damaged in similar way, but just melted. The reason I mark property damage on this form, is because to replace one of the units costs $135, without any guarantee that this same thing will not happen again. I believe that this is an obvious and hazardous design flaw, and vw should replace the units with fire proof ones. Vw shoud also pay for that, not I.
The heater core ruptured and flooded the passenger compartment with steam and hot coolant. Fortunately, the car had just come to a complete stop. This has occured in the only other vw vehicle I have owned, a 1986 jetta gl. That vehicle was recalled for this very same problem. I find it very disturbing that the passenger compartment of the vehicle can be affected by such an equipment failure. I can accept the heater core leaking in the passenger compartment, but not exploiding like a bomb. Witnessess thought the car was on fire. Luckily, my wife and child were not cruising down the freeway at 65 MPH.
Possible engine failure caused consumer to smelled gas fumes, minutes later the vehicle caught on fire. Nlm
Driving the vehicle and other cars noticed flames coming from underneath the fog lights of the car. Pulled vehicle over , turned the ignition switch off and put the flames out. Fireman determined that the fire came from the front left fog light. Took vehicle to the dealer.
While driving at 60 MPH vehicle burst into flames. Fire started from engine compartment. Cause unknown.
While stopping for red light smelled strong odor. Vehicle caught on fire.
After turning on the vehicle, an electrical short in the wiring caused the wires from the battery to the dash to catch on fire.
Vehicle caught on fire, fuel injectors were worked on 6 months prior, dealer says it is an electrical problem.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1993 Volkswagen Passat fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1993 Volkswagen Passat?
9 of 68 owner complaints about the 1993 Volkswagen Passat (13%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1993 Volkswagen Passat?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1993 Volkswagen Passat
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