NHTSA Campaign 95V105000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Issued by VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · Reported May 23, 1995 · 164,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

IN THE EVENT OF A COOLING SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE COOLANT CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING THE COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TO RISE TO A LEVEL WHERE A LEAK IN THE HEAT EXCHANGER CAN OCCUR.

Consequence

A LEAK OR FAILURE OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER LOCATED UNDER THE DASHBOARD CAN ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE FEET OF A PASSENGER. HOT COOLANT CAN ALSO STEAM UP THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BYPASS VALVE KIT WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ROUTE EXCESSIVELY HOT COOLANT TO THE ENGINE WITHOUT FLOWING THROUGH THE HEAT EXCHANGER. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A PLASTIC COVER UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO ENSURE THAT THE PASSENGER IS NOT EXPOSED TO HOT COOLANT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAK.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1987 164,000
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1988 164,000
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1989 164,000
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1990 164,000
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1991 164,000
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1992 164,000
VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1993 164,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 95V105000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.