Hearth Record

Power train: driveline: driveshaft; engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel (Volkswagen)

Vehicle recall 17V-309. NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on May 11, 2017.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.’s report on May 11, 2017. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

If the leaking grease contacts a heated surface, such as the exhaust system and/or the diesel particulate filter (DPF), it could increase the risk of fire.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

(Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG).

The vehicle’s underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft grease boot from heat, potentially resulting in a grease leak.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Power train: driveline: driveshaft.
  • NHTSA’s part: Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel.

What should you do?

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft heat shield, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen’s number for this recall is 23W5.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 84,262 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Volkswagen Passatand 2012, 2013 and 2014, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc..
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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