Volkswagen Initiates Recall of 261,000 Cars Over Fuel Leakage, Pump Safety Concerns

Feb 22, 2024 09:28 PM EST

VOLKSWAGEN AUTOMOBILE — (Photo : PIXABAY/SIMON)

As a response to a fuel tank problem, Volkswagen is recalling. This covers approximately 261,000 cars in the United States, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A defective suction jet pump seal is the cause of the recall. Immediate action is needed.

Volkswagen Recall: 261,000 Cars with Fuel Leakage, Fire Risk

CBS reported that according to the recall notice, although the item is designed to remove fuel from the Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) system, gas could enter the system directly if the seal inside the suction jet pump fails. Should that occur, fuel may eventually seep into another area of the engine, which may result in a fire.

The NHTSA approximates that 261,257 vehicles are impacted, and as per the documents, no fires have been reported as a result of the defect.

Dealers will conduct the replacement of the pump, located within the fuel tank, free of charge for owners. VW plans to commence the distribution of notification letters from April 12 onwards.

As shared in The Columbian from Associated Press' report , the recall covers 2015-2020 models for Audi A3s and Volkswagen Golfs and GTIs. VW Jettas and Golf Sportwagens from 2015 to 2019 and 2020 model are covered. All cars in the recall list have front-wheel drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that fuel may leak out of the charcoal canister of the emissions control system. Such is a result from a problem with the pump seal. The organization claims that gasoline leaks increase the likelihood of fires.

This marks the second recall for numerous car owners, as VW previously recalled approximately 110,000 vehicles in 2016 for the same issue. However, the company discovered that the replacement pumps from the previous recall were also experiencing failures.

Following 79 complaints of fuel leaks from owners, U.S. safety regulators initiated an investigation into the problem last year. According to VW's documents, there have been 1,410 warranty claims with repair dates spanning from May 2016 to December of last year, yet no fires associated with the problem have been reported.

Recap: Volkswagen Recall

As per Kelly Blue Book, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) has issued a recall for certain 2021 ID.4 vehicles due to a software programming issue that could lead to the high voltage (HV) battery management control module restarting or the pulse inverter deactivating. This reset or deactivation could result in a loss of drive power, potentially raising the risk of a collision.

As a solution, dealers will perform a complimentary update of the HV battery management control unit and the pulse inverter control unit software. It is projected that owners will get notification letters by March 31, 2023.

The Volkswagen Group has been involved in large recalls in recent years, including automobiles and SUVs recalled for breaking the EPA Clean Air Act because of high diesel emissions, according to the Kelly Blue Book. Recalls for further cars have also been issued because of defective Takata airbag inflators.

Due to a gasoline pump issue, Volkswagen announced a recall in August 2017 for 280,915 Volkswagen CC models. The recall included models made between 2009 and 2016. Passat and Passat Wagon models made between 2006 and 2010 were also included in the list. An engine stall due to a pump failure could increase the risk of a collision.