NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA85037
Engineering Analysis · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
SUMMARY:AUDI IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (86V-103)TO PREVENT FIRES WHICH HAVE STARTED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS ATTEMPTING TOSTART THE ENGINE.THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE 1984 MODELS.ANALYSIS:THE RECALL CAMPAIGN APPEARS TO RESOLVE THE MAJOR CAUSE OF FIRESIN THE 1985 MODELS BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WHICH HAVEBEEN REPORTED IN 1984 MODELS. PROBLEMS IN 1984 MODELS APPEAR TO HAVEINVOLVED MOSTLY NEW LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES.STATUS: ANALYZING ADEQUACY OF RECALL.CLOSED DECEMBER 23, 1987.===
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- EA85037
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Component
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Opened
- Jul 31, 1985
- Closed
- Dec 23, 1987
- Associated recall campaign
- 86V103000
Vehicles named in this investigation
2 model years across 1 model
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.