Auburn Hills, Mich. – Feb. 20, 2018 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 3,500 vehicles potentially equipped with defective tire labels, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2014-2015 Audi S7 sedans produced between July 25, 2013, and Jan. 17, 2015, along with 2016-2018 Audi RS7 sport sedans produced between Feb. 16, 2015, and Oct. 20, 2017. Volkswagen estimates all of the vehicles named in the recall possess the defective labels.

The Defect

Affected models feature tire placards that list an incorrect maximum load weight of 1146 pounds instead of the correct figure, 992 pounds. These fixtures make the recalled vehicles noncompliant under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 110, which states vehicles must have placards “with the vehicle capacity weight and seating designations as finally manufactured.” While relatively minor, the defect does create some risk as owners could accidentally overload their vehicles based on the incorrect information, thereby affecting maneuverability and increasing the likelihood of an accident. However, Volkswagen has not received field reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries.

Timeline of Events

Volkswagen engineers conducted conformity of production tests in October 2017 and found that multiple recently manufactured vehicles were equipped with tires affixed with placards displaying incorrect vehicle weight information. Production staff immediately amended existing assembly processes to prevent recurrences.

In November 2017, the Audi Product Safety Committee reviewed information related to the conformity test results and initiated an investigation that concluded in January 2018. Following the inquiry, which revealed the the defective placards violated FMVSS 110, the APSC requested for a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen intends to direct dealers to replace the tire labels on the recalled vehicles free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgment document. The German automaker will notify both dealers and owners April 8, 2018. Owners in need of more immediate assistance can contact Audi customer service personnel at (800) 253-2834 using the internal recall identification code 44N9. They can also reach out to the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Auburn Hills, Michigan – Dec. 20, 2017 – Volkswagen Group of America recently issued a recall for 58 of its Atlas sport utility vehicles from the 2018 model year, citing concerns over fuel tanks and potential leakages, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Specifically, the fuel tanks installed in the recalled vehicles did not have a thick enough wall to meet specifications, due to a problem during a supplier’s production process. This issue may result in fuel leaking from the tank and, if near an ignition source, could result in fire.

In all, 50 percent of the vehicles in the recall are expected to have experienced this problem. The vehicles in question were produced between May 16, 2017, and June 10, 2017.

The Defect

Due to a production problem with the supplier YAPP, fuel tanks built within a short period of time may not have the proper wall thickness in certain areas, with these thin spots stemming from “undetected material starvation during the manufacturing process.” The problem was spotted and corrected in short order on the manufacturer’s end, but not noticed by a Volkswagen dealer until several months later.

The best way for owners to determine if their vehicle is affected by this issue is if they smell gasoline while in or around their vehicles, or if they notice fuel puddles under their vehicles.

Timeline of Events

On Sept. 15, 2017, Volkswagen opened an investigation into the issue after receiving a claim from a dealer about the potential defect. On Sept. 28, a test of the affected fuel tanks’ wall thickness was proposed as a temporary solution, and on Oct. 5, the company began weighing both the tanks and the waste flash together to determine the total amount of material that had been present during the manufacturing process.

A little more than two months after the investigation began, on Nov. 22, Volkswagen’s Product Safety Committee received more information from its investigators and determined to issue the recall based on the findings.

The Solution

All vehicles affected by the recall are still within the automaker’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, and owners will therefore be able to have the defect fixed free of charge at a dealership. When the Atlases are taken in for service, dealers will simply replace the affected fuel tanks.

Both dealers and Atlas owners are expected to be contacted about the recall on or about Dec. 29, 2017.

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Nov. 8, 2017 – The Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 31,000 vehicles potentially equipped with defective speaker trim, according to documentation submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects multiple models, including:

• 2017-2018 Audi A4 sedans produced between March 10, 2016 and June 22, 2017.
• 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad station wagons produced between June 16, 2016 and June 19, 2017.
• 2017-2018 Audi A5 Sportback sedans produced between Feb. 7, 2017 and Sept. 28, 2017.

Volkswagen estimates 100 percent of the vehicles referenced in the recall contain the defective features.

The Defect

The affected models are likely to come equipped with speaker assemblies featuring loose aluminum trim. As a result, these aesthetic components may give way as a result of ineffective adhesive, exposing sharp edges that could cut or puncture occupants and therefore pose a serious safety risk. However, Volkswagen has yet to receive reports connecting the defect to any accidents.

Timeline of Events

In August 2016, Audi received an injury claim related to loose lower trim door paneling. The automaker immediately launched in investigation into the report. At the same time, the company received a number of similar claims. Audi quality assurance personnel continued the investigation into the fall of 2016, reviewing production records and original vehicle design specifications. These staff members also evaluated the time it might take customers to notice the loose paneling before coming into contact with it and possibly sustaining injuries.

Throughout February and March 2017, Audi continued to monitor the market, while also moving forward with the internal inquiry begun in August 2016. Over this time period, the engineering personnel involved in these programs updated the Audi Product Safety Committee regularly. On Oct. 18, 2017, this groups chose to conduct a voluntary safety recall.

The Solution

Volkswagen intends to direct dealers to replace the defective trim in the recalled vehicles with a newer alternative featuring improved adhesive, according to a recall acknowledgment document from the NHTSA. The automaker plans to inform both dealers and owners of the voluntary safety action sometime this month. Individuals in possession of vehicles referenced in the recall who require more immediate assistance can contact Audi customer service representatives at (800) 253-2834. Callers should use the internal campaign reference code 70G6. Owners can also connect with the NHTSA directly via its toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

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