general problems of the 2001 Volkswagen Passat

The driver's side airbag of my 2001 vw Passat spontaneously deployed while I drove on hwy 494 in woodbury mn. Sometime within 24 hours before the airbag deployed, the airbag fault light turned on in the car's dashboard display. Within 15 minutes before the incident, the car's automatic locking locks unlocked twice while I was driving the car. After the second time, I tried to lock the car doors by pressing the lock button on the driver's door console but the doors would not locked. At that time I noticed that the two interior lights in the back seat area were turned on. All the doors of the car were properly shut. When the airbags deployed I was driving on the smooth 1 year old concrete section of hwy 494. I did not hit anything on the highway. After the deployment, I parked on the shoulder, shut off the engine and opened the passenger door to air out the car. After about 5 minutes, I got back in the car and drove home. The automatic locks worked again. The interior lights automatically turned off. The drive home was uneventful.

My car is a 2001 model, and I'd like to know if it has takata airbags in it, even if it isn't covered by the recall. Dealer doesn't know if the airbags are takata or not. Can you give me this information?? I hope so, otherwise I don't know how to find out. Thanks deb porter.

So I got rear ended at the other party's fault at high speed while I was at a stop sign and they neglected to stop pushing me into an intersection full of traffic. . . No airbags beployed. . And since my heater doesn't work but passenger seat heat burned my 12 year old daughters butt. . . Anyone help? I just want heat for my babies. . Below zero here :( thank you!! miss b.

We hit a deer head-on and the air bags did not go off. We were travelling about 60 mph and did not brake. The car was declared a total loss by the insurance company because of the expense to repair. This seems unusual because air bags are designed to go off at very low speeds.

Dec 12th 2008 the interior of my passt was flooded with water, vw service removed 10 + gallons of water which entered from air plenum /pollen filter hosing(cabin area). Service informed me of the p9 recall for the Passats manufactured Nov '00 to Dec '05. But, vw of America will not help me they said my VIN # is not in the recall. The computers are on the floor of car. Air bag is in default damage from electrical damage from water damage. . My trans mod is wrecked from the water damage, just the part alone will cost $1,300. I have lost work and can not drive. The make of car & year is in recall so why is my VIN not included?! someone please, please help me.

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the instrument cluster panel lights illuminated. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined there was a short in the airbag wiring harness, and needed to be replaced. The airbag and harness were replaced, but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was alerted.