Volkswagen Recall Affects a Quarter Million Vehicles, Due to Risk of Fuel Leaks

A massive Volkswagen and Audi recall has been announced, impacting more than 250,000 vehicles that may be at risk of experiencing a fuel leak, which could result in a vehicle fire.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Volkswagen and Audi recall on February 14, warning that the vehicles’ suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank may leak, leading to fuel flowing into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system or potentially leaking out of the charcoal canister.

Officials are warning that the fuel tank suction pump could cause fuel to leak into the ignition source of Volkswagen and Audi vehicles, thereby increasing the risk of fire and injury for the occupants.

Volkswagen and Audi Fuel Leak Recall

Volkswagen first identified the issue in August 2016, after determining there was a defect in the specific suction jet pump. This was remedied with an improved version.

However, in April 2018, the first failures were reported from the field, initiating the initial investigation. Volkswagen has received 1,410 warranty claims and observed an increased failure rate in the field performance evaluation.

The Volkswagen and Audi recall impacts an estimated 261,257 vehicles, including the 2015 through 2020 Audi A3, 2015 through 2020 Volkswagen Golf, 2015 through 2019 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen, 2015 through 2020 Volkswagen GTI, and the 2019 through 2020 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles.

Volkswagen anticipates that recall notification letters will be mailed to registered owners by April 12. These letters will include instructions on how to schedule an appointment with an authorized Volkswagen or Audi dealer to receive a free vehicle inspection and, if necessary, replace the suction pump free of charge.

For more information on the recall, owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen’s numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed.