NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation EA98012
Engineering Analysis · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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
HEATER CORE REPTURE
HEATER CORE ALLEGEDLY RUPTURES AND RELEASES HOT COOLANT INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR, RESULTING IN IMPAIRED VISIBILITY AND POTENTIAL BURN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS.
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
- EA98012
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis (EA)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Component
- VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
- Opened
- May 27, 1998
- Closed
- Nov 20, 1998
- Associated recall campaign
- 98V295000
Vehicles named in this investigation
1 model year 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.