Auburn Hills, Mich. – Mar. 13, 2017 – Volkswagen Group of America has recalled more than 1,000 vehicles exhibiting brake-line leakage. The recall impacts Passat sedans produced in January of this year, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Defect
Affected vehicles suffer from constant brake fluid leakage due to damaged hydraulic components. Motorists often see service lights indicating low brake fluid. If more is not added, vehicle brakes can lose stopping power, which increases the likelihood of a serious traffic accident. Additionally, Volkswagen engineers suspect that the leak can worsen over time, leading to more serious braking problems. No injuries have yet been reported as a result of the defect.
Timeline of Events
In January, Volkswagen quality assurance personnel spotted evidence of brake-line leakage when reviewing recently produced Passats. Engineers investigated and connected the problem to defective brake-tube flares. The automaker removed damaged flares from all production facilities Jan. 19, banned their use and replaced them with functioning alternatives from an OEM partner.
Product safety officials at Volkswagen reviewed the engineering report soon after. The group decided to issue an official recall Feb. 1, based on the findings.The car manufacturing company notified dealers in the U.S. on Feb. 15, according to an internal communication filed with the NHTSA.
The Solution
The automaker has instructed dealers to replace the brake lines in impacted vehicles, free of charge. There is no word yet as to when customers might receive official notification from Volkswagen. However, the recall is scheduled to begin March 1. Passat owners with defective brake lines can contact Volkswagen service personnel or call the NHTSA safety hotline for more information.
