The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with vr6 engines. A coolant system component such as the thermo switch, radiator fan, or water pump, can malfunction causing the coolant temperature and coolant system pressure to increase significantly. Over time, excessive pressure can cause leakage of coolant fromthe system, including leakage from the heat exchanger.
The risk
Leakage of hot coolant from the heat exchanger can cause injury to the feet of the driver or steam up the interior of the vehicle temporarily impairing the driver's vision.
The fix
Dealers will install in the coolant inlet hose to the heater core, a pressure reducer with a 5mm diameter secured by a spring tensioned hose clamp. Also a new relay that will change the operation of the secondary electrical coolant pump will be installed. Dealers will also perform a functional check of the cooling system to make sure that all cooling system components operate properly.
Contacts
Owner notification began february 22, 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Volkswagen dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 98V295000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.