Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 261,257 vehicles that could potentially develop a fuel leak.
According to the Safety Recall Report, a handful of front-wheel drive models are equipped with a suction jet pump seal that could fail. As the government explained, “Due to a manufacturing issue, seal rings inside the suction jet pump in the fuel tank were assembled with too much tension.”
This could cause fuel to flow directly into the evaporative emissions system and accumulate there. If this happens, fuel may then “leak through the charcoal canister filter element.” This increases the risk of a fire and the NHTSA said it’s possible owners of impacted vehicles might experience refueling issues or a noticeable odor of fuel.
The problem goes back years and includes the original pump as well as an improved version – known as Version 1.1 – that was part of a previous recall remedy. An earlier “analysis of claims showed that the improved version of the suction jet pump showed a significant better field performance than the recalled version” so Volkswagen believed this “did not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.” However, a later examination “indicated an increased failure rate,” so the company decided to conduct a new recall.
It impacts a number of different vehicles including the 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan and 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet. Other models being impacted include the 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7.
More: Feds Probe 450,000 Audi A3 And VW Golfs Over Leaking Fuel, Potential Fire
As part of the recall, the suction jet pump will be replaced by a redesigned pump at no cost to consumers. The government says the latest pump is known as Version 2.0 and incorporates multiple changes as well as improvements.
