This is to inform you of an upcoming Emissions Service Action for ignition coils on some 2001-2007 model year Volkswagen gasoline engine vehicles in the United States and in Canada. We are informing you of this upcoming voluntary campaign so that you will be able to answer any customer inquiries that may result from internet and press coverage.
What is the problem?
Vehicles affected by this action may have ignition coils that could malfunction under certain conditions. If this happens, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will illuminate to let you know that the vehicle may experience some deterioration in performance. Please refer to your vehicle owner's manual for additional information when the MIL comes on, and if necessary, you should take your vehicle to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer for diagnosis and repair as soon as possible. In some cases, a malfunctioning ignition coil may cause a vehicle to exceed Federal and/or California/Provincial emissions standards.
What is the repair?
Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the ignition coils in affected vehicles. This work will be performed at no cost to customers.
When will the repair be available?
While we do have limited quantities of most part numbers on hand to help address customer vehicles with immediate needs, the currently parts supply does not permit a full rollout to all affected customers at this time.
Because of this, we have established a dealer and customer notification plan based on the projected parts arrival schedule. This rollout will begin in October and will continue throughout the coming months, as follows:
? On or about October 23, 2009, the first customer mailing will begin. We estimate that this first mailing will contain approximately 90,000 U.S. customers and approximately 10,000 Canadian customers. These are customers who will be invited to their authorized Volkswagen dealer for the campaign inspection/repair.
? On or about October 23, 2009, we will also begin proactively notifying all other known customers about this upcoming campaign. These customers will be sent a second letter at a later date when sufficient part stock is available for their vehicle. The mailings will take place over the coming months, and will be grouped by engine type, model and model year as parts supply becomes available.