Auburn Hills, Mich. – Oct. 24, 2017 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 216,000 vehicles possibly equipped with defective auxiliary heaters, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

• 2013-2016 Audi A4 sedans and A4 Allroad station wagons produced between March 2, 2012 and July 31, 2015.
• 2013-2016 Audi A5 coupes and cabriolets produced between March 8, 2012 and July 31, 2015.
• 2013-2016 Audi Q5 sport utility vehicles produced between April 7, 2012 and July 31, 2015.

The German automaker estimates 100 percent of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected models contain auxiliary heaters with defective electrical connectors prone to contact corrosion. Mechanical wear and movement is known to cause this condition, which can lead to overheating, melting of nearby wires and even engine fires. This poses a serious threat to occupants. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports linking the defective auxiliary heaters to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In February 2015, the car company received customer complaints detailing instances of overheating. From March 2015 to May 2016, Volkswagen investigated the claims and worked with its German supplier, Mahle Behr GmbH and Co. KG to identify a root cause and develop a solution. In June 2016, the Audi Product Safety Committee decided to conduct a service campaign to update the climate control modules in affected vehicles. The group also called for more investigations, which concluded in September 2017.

On Sept. 28, Volkswagen issued a voluntary safety recall to further address the issue.

The Solution

The automaker intends to direct dealers to replace the auxiliary heaters in models subject to the action free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. Volkswagen has yet to release a notification timeline for dealers or owners. However, owners in need of immediate help can contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (88) 327-4236.

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Oct. 5, 2017 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 73,00 vehicles possibly equipped with defective fuel filter flanges, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The recall affects 2004-2007 Volkswagen Touareg sport utility vehicles with production dates ranging from Feb. 18, 2003 to Nov. 30, 2006. Volkswagen estimates that just 3 percent of the models referenced in the recall contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles may include fuel filter flanges prone to oxidization-caused cracking. This is a product of both naturally-occurring moisture and gasoline, which can degrade fuel filter components over time. Cracked fuel filter flanges in these vehicles could leak fuel, creating a fire risk in the event that it comes into contact with an ignition source. This poses a serious threat to occupants. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive field reports connecting the defective feature to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

In February 2017, the NHTSA forwarded a number of vehicle owner queries mentioning fuel leakage issues to Volkswagen. These reports referenced similar problems documented in an October 2016 recall involving defective fuel filter flanges installed on various Audi SUV models, which the German automaker manufacturers, according to the NHTSA. Volkswagen conducted an internal data review and found that a significant number of drivers had submitted complaints mentioning fuel leakage via in-house channels.

In June, Volkswagen and Porsche, which employ the same fuel filter flanges, launched concurrent 90-day field investigations to determine whether the fuel pump model they both used – a four-bar assembly from Continental Automotive in Germany – was to blame. Volkswagen collected and reviewed 100 parts as part of this study. On Sept. 13, quality assurance and safety personnel looked over the results and determined that a voluntary recall was necessary.

The automaker notified dealers of the impending action Sept. 29.

The Solution

Volkswagen has directed dealers to inspect and replace the fuel filter flanges in affected models free of charge, according to a recall acknowledgement document. The car company intends to notify owners via first-class mail Nov. 19. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Volkswagen customer service at (800) 893-5298. Callers should use the internal recall identification code 20Ai. Owners can also connect directly with the NHTSA via its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Recall Masters -August 29, 2017

Volkswagen recalls vehicles with defective fuel pumps

The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 280,000 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective fuel pumps, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2009-2016 CC and 2006-2010 Passat sedans, as well as 2006-2010 Passat wagons. The German automaker is unsure what percentage of the total population of vehicles named in the recall contain the problematic feature.

The Defect
The models named in the campaign could include defective fuel pump control modules prone to inducing fuel pump failure and ultimately stalling. The damaged fixtures could also lead to pump overuse, which can drain vehicles’ batteries and thus inhibit operation. The fuel pump control modules in these recalled models generate too much heat. This, combined with faulty electronic components and mechanical stress, results in the aforementioned outcomes, which pose serious danger to drivers and passengers. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive any reports detailing accidents or injuries stemming from the defective fuel control modules…

Read the entire article on the Recall Masters website

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Aug. 29, 2017 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 280,000 vehicles believed to be equipped with defective fuel pumps, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2009-2016 CC and 2006-2010 Passat sedans, as well as 2006-2010 Passat wagons. The German automaker is unsure what percentage of the total population of vehicles named in the recall contain the problematic feature.

The Defect

The models named in the campaign could include defective fuel pump control modules prone to inducing fuel pump failure and ultimately stalling. The damaged fixtures could also lead to pump overuse, which can drain vehicles’ batteries and thus inhibit operation. The fuel pump control modules in these recalled models generate too much heat. This, combined with faulty electronic components and mechanical stress, results in the aforementioned outcomes, which pose serious danger to drivers and passengers. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive any reports detailing accidents or injuries stemming from the defective fuel control modules.

Timeline of Events

The Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile Company, based in China, submitted an inquiry to Volkswagen detailing instances of fuel pump failure in CC and Passat models in April 2016. The automaker immediately coordinated an internal investigation with external parts supplier Kendrion Kuhnke Automotive GmbH, which provided the fuel pump assemblies in these vehicles. The two organizations asked DPAC to supply parts from affected vehicles for analysis. These items arrived in Wolfsburg, Germany, in October of that year. Engineers went to work analyzing the parts.

In January 2017, engineering personnel presented their findings to the Volkswagen Product Safety Committee. The group reviewed the data but requested that engineering teams perform further tests to find a definitive root cause. More than eight months later, these technical experts submitted the results of their second analysis, which concluded that the fuel pump control modules in the vehicles were to blame.

On Aug. 10, the Volkswagen PSC ordered a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen will order dealers to replace the fuel pumps in affected models free of charge, according to documents submitted to the NHTSA. However, the vehicle manufacturer has yet to find suitable replacement parts that do not succumb to thermal influence or mechanical stress during operation. As a result, Volkswagen has not released an exact date for notifying owners. That said, the car maker will reach out to customer via first-class mail Oct. 13. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Volkswagen customer service personnel at (800) 893-5298, using the internal recall code 20AE. Owners can also call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Auburn Hills, Mich.—July 25, 2017—One recall from earlier this year could be the sign of future Volkswagen recalls, according to an article in Car and Driver. The case involves defective flanges, which could crack, possibly because the material could deteriorate.

Volkswagen is just one of several manufacturers with possible complications from this issue, and all reportedly stem from the part itself, a Continental Automotive Systems product. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into the matter.

As the source described, a crack in the flange could also lead to a fuel leak. Major auto companies like Ford and General Motors could have to recall vehicles if they find evidence of the risk. The article quoted a statement from Elizabeth Weigandt, a Ford representative, on the company’s awareness of the issue.

“It’s unclear at this point whether Ford vehicles are affected,” she said. “We are reviewing the matter and will cooperate with NHTSA, as we always do.”

A Part 573 Safety Recall Report submitted to the NHTSA in March said that 20,908 Volkswagen Touareg vehicles were part of that company’s recall, with the model years ranging from 2007 to 2010.  The larger amount of vehicles were produced between 2006 and 2010. This report said that the components could weaken over time due to oxidization and internal pressure. The report said that March was the company’s “date of determination.”

The resolution to this earlier recall involved fitting the affected flanges with a protective cover. The report said that a fuel smell may indicate the issue, and that there were apparent similarities between this recall and another one for Audi vehicles.

A Volkswagen dealership communication said that the resolution could require a full replacement if the flanges are cracked. The fuel leak could present a hazard if fire is present.

Auburn Hills, Mich.—July 10, 2017—In an action expected to begin this July, Volkswagen said it will recall Audi vehicles to address a possible safety issue. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration letter dated for July 6 said that the recall would include 24,754 Q3 vehicles from the 2016 and 2017 model years, all of which were estimated to have the defect.

The Defect

This recall concerns a defect that could go against Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108, which pertains to “lamps, reflective devices, and assoc. equipment,” as an NHTSA report said. Specifically, the affected vehicles may contain a software error that prevents the brake lights from turning on when the parking brake is in use.

Though the source stressed that the brake system itself was unaffected, it did note that the lack of brake lights could be a hazard. It also did not list any specific signs for owners to look out for.

Timeline of Events

• March to November, 2016: This period included several events, such as the company’s first discovery of the issue, leading to the time when the company developed the improved software to resolve the problem.
• February to May, 2017: After the previous efforts, the manufacturer took a closer look at the particular compliance problem to determine the right way to respond.
• June, 2017: The above deliberation finally led to the decision that the vehicle issue did actually constitute a non-compliance concern in response to the FMVSS, with June 19 listed as the “Date of Determination” in the Part 573 Safety Recall Report.

The Resolution

Though the report didn’t include a specific date, it did state that the recall was “anticipated” for July 17. The repair effort will include a software update, using the program developed and put into use last year.

Auburn Hills, Mich.—May 23, 2017—Improperly short heat shields in some Volkswagen Passat vehicles could leave some of these autos at risk of fire depending on the conditions on the right half shaft. The recall effort, is known as #17V309000 and includes 84,262 vehicles in the U.S. as well, as the official NHTSA report said.

The Defect

Normally, the heat shield in these affected vehicles would keep the right half-shaft grease boot cool and safe from possible flammability. Without the proper covering, grease could leak onto one of multiple possible heat sources and increase the risk of a fire starting. The report mentioned that the upper boost hoses in these vehicles could fail as well, triggering “a flashing glow plug light.”

Timeline of Events

• April 11, 2011- July 25, 2014: These were the original production dates for the affected range of vehicles.
• July 2016-Feb. 2017: The analysis of the problem began and continued during this time, eventually leading to the ultimate decision on whether or not the matter involved a defect.
• May 2017: The recall announcement appeared after the manufacturer’s Product Safety Committee confirmed the defect. The date of the NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report was May 11, eight days after Volkswagen examined the issue itself.

The Resolution

The official recall dates for owners and dealers is currently scheduled for sometime in July, the report said. At this time, the vehicle dealers will replace both the heat shield and possibly the boost hose if necessary.

The replacement boost hose, in particular, dates back to a part introduced in 2012, and the hose has a strengthened middle layer. July 14, 2012, was the listed date when the new boost hose was introduced. All models in that range beforehand were reportedly at higher risk, though the report said that 100 percent of the recalled population is estimated to have the defect.

Auburn Hills, Mich. – April 28, 2017 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled a number of sedans with improper head restraints, according to documents filed with National Highway Safety Administration. The recall affects Volkswagen CC four-door models produced between November 2015 and June 2016. The automaker estimates 100 percent of the models named in the campaign include the problematic part.

The Defect
The affected models include head restraints that do not comport with U.S. vehicle safety codes, specifically Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards section 202a, which states that head restraints should meet certain design and performance qualifications, according to the Department of Transportation. The assemblies installed in these vehicles do not comply with these regulations and were instead made for use with Volkswagen vehicles that would be sold in foreign markets. Most notably, the installed head restraints allow occupants to rotate more than 12 degrees while seated, a range of motion deemed unsafe in the FMVSS.

While the head restraints pose no immediate danger to drivers or passengers, they do lead to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive in reports of injuries connected to these fixtures.

Timeline of Events
Volkswagen engineers first detected the incorrectly installed head restraints in May of last year. Roughly one month later, quality control personnel reported the problem to technical teams and initiated an internal review. Over the course of these investigations, the manufacturer’s employees learned that the head restraints destined for international models had been installed on American CC sedans, due to a stocking issue. Assembly crew members at one of Volkswagen’s primary U.S. production facilities had mistakenly brought head restraint assemblies marked “RoW” – an acronym meaning “rest of world” – to the shop floor, where they were installed.

In early April, engineers met with the Volkswagen Product Safety Committee to determine the extent of the error. Weeks later, these two parties met once more and determined that American CC models equipped with RoW head restraints should be subject to recall.

The Solution
Volkswagen has ordered dealers to replace the head restraints, free of charge. The campaign is scheduled to begin in June. The automaker has agreed to notify dealers and owners after the official launch date. Individuals who require assistance prior to the recall are encouraged to contact the NHTSA.

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Apr. 07, 2017 — In a March action, Volkswagen plans to recall thousands of Touareg vehicles, with model years ranging from 2007 to 2010, and production dates between Sept. 14, 2006 and March 23, 2010.

The Part 573 Safety Recall Report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said 16,005 vehicles were potentially involved, although the recall database entry itself said that number was 20,908 instead. Regardless, the report said the supplier connected to the fuel system defect was Continental Automotive GmbH in Germany.

The Defect

For affected Touareg models, a deteriorating fuel filter flange could lead to potentially dangerous leaks, as well as a possible fire hazard. The report said this might come from both internal vehicle pressure and aging component parts. Owners may notice this defect in their vehicle if they smell fuel from the leak.

Timeline of Events

• February, 2017: Volkswagen began reviewing information for possible reports of fuel filter failure, after a previous similar recall action involving Audi vehicles.
• March, 2017: The company’s product safety committee determined a defect existed on March 1, with the Safety Recall Report submitted exactly one week later.

The Resolution

The report did not specify a date for either dealer or owner notification for this recall, though it did state that it would most likely be in “May 2017.” In the meantime, the defect is not in danger of appearing in further models, since they are reportedly no longer produced.

In terms of the fix itself, it will require an inspection and a possible cover attached later if needed to fit over the fuel filter flanges themselves and reduce the chance of the filter aging. The official NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 17V151000, while the Volkswagen number for the same action is 20Z4.