2000 Volkswagen Passat

On certain Passat and Passat Four Motion vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, an underbody heat shield may become damaged.  If this occurs, the heat shield may contact the exhaust system, which can result in a vehicle fire.  In addition, the affected vehicles may have a fuel line (1.8T engine only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion / all-wheel drive vehicles only) that may leak due to fracture.  Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a vehicle fire.  Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.

On certain Passat Four Motion, sulphur in the fuel interacting with certain additives found in widely available fuel can become deposited on certain contact points on three sending units mounted inside the fuel tank.  Low electrical resistance at contact points of any unit signals that the tank is full.  The accumulation of sulphur deposits on contacts would increase the resistance and erroneously signal that the tank is filled with fuel while in fact it may not be full or could be empty.  If a driver is not cognizant of the miles driven and the potential driving range of their vehicle from a fuel fill, the erroneous fuel level signal could cause the vehicle to become inoperable without prior warning.  Correction:  Fuel sending units will be replaced with redesigned sending units.