Volkswagen Passat Recall R/1998/052: 1) Air Mass Meter Grid May Detach And Jam Throttle Open & Fuel Pipes & 2) Metal Brake…, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 17 Jul 1998
- Launched
- 74
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1998/052
- DVSA reference
Volkswagen recalled Passat vehicles built between 1 December 1997 and 30 April 1998. 1) In isolated cases misfiring after a cold start can cause the air grid in the air mass meter to become detached. The recall notice describes the fix as: :- 1) Check air mass meter and air grid and install retaining ring in air mass meter. Examine fuel pipes for chafing damage and renew or reposition and secure as appropriate. 2) Examine brake pipe for chafing damage and renew or reposition and secure brake pipe as appropriate. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
- In isolated cases misfiring after a cold start can cause the air grid in the air mass meter to become detached. In the worse case this could jam the throttle valve causing an increase in engine speed. Fuel pipes may chafe together and/or on fuel filter. 2) Metal brake pipe may be incorrectly positioned and chafe on rear subframe.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: 1) AIR MASS METER GRID MAY DETACH AND JAM THROTTLE OPEN & FUEL PIPES & 2) METAL BRAKE PIPES MAY CHAFE ON REAR SUBFRAME Defect: 1) In isolated cases misfiring after a cold start can cause the air grid in the air mass meter to become detached. In the worse case this could jam the throttle valve causing an increase in engine speed. Fuel pipes may chafe together and/or on fuel filter. 2) Metal brake pipe may be incorrectly positioned and chafe on rear subframe. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and:- 1) Check air mass meter and air grid and install retaining ring in air mass meter. Examine fuel pipes for chafing damage and renew or reposition and secure as appropriate. 2) Examine brake pipe for chafing damage and renew or reposition and secure brake pipe as appropriate.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the air grid in the air mass meter to become detached.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: :- 1) Check air mass meter and air grid and install retaining ring in air mass meter. Examine fuel pipes for chafing damage and renew or reposition and secure as appropriate. 2) Examine brake pipe for chafing damage and renew or reposition and secure brake pipe as appropriate.
Are You Affected?
Passat built between 1 December 1997 and 30 April 1998 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 74 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Volkswagen, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Volkswagen.
- Book with any franchised Volkswagen dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1998/052. See how to get a Volkswagen recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
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This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/1998/056 on 15 Jul 1998, for the drivers air bag could have been unintentionally deactivated. The one launched after it was R/1999/001 on 15 Jan 1999, for tow bar ball end may loosen. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 1998 and brake recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1998/052, launched 17 July 1998. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.