WASHINGTON Volkswagen is recalling approximately 4,000 of its 2008 Passats and Passat Wagons, along with the 2009 Tiguan. The automaker will fix engine control module software that can trigger an unexpected increase in engine rpm, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall has started, and dealers are being told by the federal government not to sell or lease affected vehicles until the safety recall has been completed, according to recall documents posted on the NHTSA Web site.
"These vehicles have an engine control module containing software that may not properly control engine idle with the air-conditioning turned on," NHTSA said in its summary of the problem. "In rare cases, the ECM may unexpectedly increase engine rpm. An engine surge caused by an unexpected increase in engine rpm may surprise the vehicle operator and can result in a crash without warning."
NHTSA says that owners of the aforementioned vehicles can drive their vehicles. "However, to minimize the possibility of an engine surge, do not operate the air-conditioning in your vehicle until the recall work has been performed," it said.
Volkswagen dealers will inspect and update the software for free. Owners may contact Volkswagen at (800) 893-5298 or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at (888) 327-4236.
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