Feds Probe 2012 Volkswagen Passat, CC
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into an estimated 30,000 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC sedans for a problem that may result in improper function of the driver's airbag.
A failure of the steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) "results in a loss of connectivity of the steering wheel electrical devices to the rest of the vehicle, potentially affecting the performance of the driver-side airbag, as well as the other steering-wheel-mounted components," NHTSA said in its summary of the probe.
Federal safety regulators have received nine reports from consumers alleging such failures in 2012 Passat and CC sedans.
No crashes, injuries, or fatalities are linked to the probe.
"Consumer reports indicate that failures occur during normal driving conditions and are sometimes accompanied by an audible noise from the steering column," NHTSA said. "When the SCCM fails, an airbag warning light is illuminated on the dash of the vehicle.
If a vehicle with a failed SCCM were to be involved in a crash of sufficient severity to require deployment, the driver's airbag may not deploy properly."
NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation into the matter. Such an action sometimes precedes a vehicle recall.
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