1993 Volkswagen Passat visibility problems

Filed Jul 15, 2004 · Visibility · 88,000 miles · GA · 1 injury

Vehicle was at a complete stop when steam started coming through the air vents and the windows fogged up. Hot anti freeze leaked in and scorched the driver's feet. This occurred because the heater core came apart at the seam. *ak

Filed Mar 1, 2004 · Visibility · 107,387 miles · WA

Letter concerning the manner in which volkswagen choose to handle a recent failure on the consumers vehicle. (nar) *ph while driving the consumer vehicle heater core exploded.

Filed Feb 6, 2004 · Visibility · 107,387 miles · WA

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.

Filed Sep 9, 2003 · Visibility · OR

While driving heater core was steaming the engine. Dealer notified.

Filed Dec 29, 2002 · Visibility · CA · 1 injury

After driving from ct to wash, d.c., I was parking my 1993 vw passat. I heard a "pop" sound, and in < 5 seconds, the car filled with antifreeze steam & scalding antifreeze poured into the driver side compartment. As the car was nearly parked, we were able to jump out of the car. I took my car to the wheaton service center in wheaton, md. Via phone, the mechanics immediately suspected the heater core. Ironically, there was another 1993 passat getting fixed for the same problem when I got there. Once investigated, my heater core had cracked. They noted that this was a recurring problem in vws. I called the vw consumer care line. After lengthy negotiation, vw agreed to reimburse me for the $788 repair, if I brought the broken part and the new part's packaging to the car's home dealership, riverside motors, in ct. I was reimbursed several months later, after weekly follow up phone calls to "remind" vw of their reimbursement committment. I am upset and concerned about this matter for several reasons: 1) I bought the car used in 1998. The only issue with the car was that the windows tended to "fog up", particularly when the A/C or heat was on, which had been logged at service visits. At no time was the heater core looked at. But, there are numerous heater core and "defogging" consumer complaints. Further, I began the review of complaints after listening to a recent npr car talk show, b/c they referenced the problem with vw heater cores. What is conspicuously missing is a saftey bulletin for this known problem. 2) as many of the complaints noted, (see oid id 755858 for example), they could have been killed or seriously injured, as was the case for me. 30 minutes earlier & I would have been driving 65mph on the highway. While I understand that every complaint cannont be investigated, this is a failure that can result in a life-or-death situation. I expect that you will investigate this problem further, and at minimum issue a safety bulletin.

Filed Apr 16, 2002 · Engine, Visibility · 150,000 miles · OR

The power windows operate by themselves-need to pull fuse to stop this, but then they are not operable at all--this could be extremely dangerous in terms of escape from vehicle, and is very inconvenient from a ventilation stand point. The engine stalls when cornering and braking, creating very dangerous situations. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****760759

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Visibility · OH

Was driving 25mph when film started developing on windows. Driver was not able to see out of windshield. Had smelled antifreeze inside vehicle. Drove to dealership and was informed by mechanic that heater core had failed, causing antifreeze to leak, which caused the film on windows.

Filed Dec 20, 2001 · Visibility · GA

The heater coil blew and caused the car to rapidly fill up with steam to the point that driver was unable to see out any windows. Driver was traveling in the fast lane of inerstate 285 in the atlanta area and amazingly was able to stop the vehicle and jump out without being killed. This failure of the heater coil and subsequent release of steam into the vehicle is certainly a safety hazard that could have resulted in the death of the driver.

Filed Nov 7, 2001 · Visibility · CA

115f degree day. Used A/C. Parked car. Return 15 min later. Floor/dash/instruments wet/fog/hot.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Visibility · NJ · 1 injury

While driving at an unknown speed, steam and hot engine coolant fluids started coming out of ventilation system, burning drivers feet and legs, and reducing visibility out of vehicle. Dealership examined vehicle and made repairs to heater core. Then on august 2, 2001, air conditioning started making a strange noise, and started producing steam and hot fluids from the ventilation again. Please provide any additional information/attachments.