U.S. – Aug. 27, 2018 – According to Consumer Affairs, the Volkswagen Group of America Inc. is recalling certain 2017 and 2018 models for a potential brake issue. Consumers and dealerships will be notified of the problem, which could lead to injury or a crash if not properly addressed for repairs and replacement. More than 8,400 cars are involved in the recall.
The Defect
Mounting bolts found in the brake caliper bracket could have a deficiency due to a manufacturing issue. The fasteners directly affect how the brake system operates. If loose or not installed correctly, drivers could potentially lose the ability to brake or control the vehicles, causing a crash or injury to those inside the car.
According to How Stuff Works, the brake calipers are part of the mechanism that squeezes break pads against the brake rotor. Most modern vehicles have disc brake systems in the front, and often in the back, where these calipers would be found. Break fluid is released when the brake pedal is operated, which causes friction between pad and rotor. As the rotor slows down, so does the wheel, completing the braking system. If there’s a compromise in the power of the friction, it’s known as brake fade. So when the caliper potentially has loose bolts, this can put the metal caliper off-kilter to the rotor. The driver will be unable to use brakes correctly, resulting in loss of control or a crash.
When Volkswagen notifies the owners, they will offer replacement parts and complimentary repairs. This includes tightening the brake caliper bolts or re-torqueing them. Mechanics can also check bleeder valves, brake hose bolts and fasteners to ensure all parts are in correct working order. On certain Passat models, the braking cable will also be checked.
Timeline of Events
Earlier this month, Volkswagen made the announcement to recall the vehicles. Those included are some 2018 Volkswagen Atlas models and 2017-2018 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. In total, 8,416 cars are involved in this particular recall.
The official recall is expected to begin by October 14, when owners will be notified, and repairs will start to be offered.
Earlier this year, there was an international recall of more than 700,000 Volkswagen vehicles, according to Industry Week. There was an issue with built-in lights that could potentially short circuit. This ran the risk of causing damage to parts of the roof and even fires to the interior of the cars. Models part of the recall were specific Tiguan and Touran vehicles manufactured before July 5 of this year. There is an ongoing investigation into the issue before the cars are officially asked to be brought in for repairs by Volkswagen spokespeople. Drivers in this instance were asked to watch for visible signs of singeing on the roof panels.
Volkswagen vehicles have undergone several recalls this summer, including another 124,000 electric cars. These Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche automobiles had potential carcinogenic cadmium in the batteries that need to be fixed or replaces due to poisoning risk over time.
The Solution
Volkswagen announced plans to directly notify owners of the potential airbag problem. If auto dealerships and drivers would like more information, they can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which can be reached via their website. Costumers who would like to contact Volkswagen directly in the US can call their helpline at 1-800-893-5298. The recall number provided by Volkswagen is 46H6.
