Volkswagen is recalling lots of cars in the US, more than 261,000, because they’re worried about possible fuel leaks that might start fires. They’re calling back different types of cars, like Audi A3s and some Volkswagen models such as Golfs, Golf GTIs, Golf SportWagens, and Jettas made from 2015 to 2020. The cars with front-wheel drive are the ones they’re focusing on for this recall.
The people in charge of keeping our roads safe (NHTSA) shared papers about the problem. They say it’s because of a bad seal in the gas tank’s pump. This problem can make fuel leak into a part of the car called the EVAP system, which might cause leaks from another part called the charcoal canister. If these leaks catch fire, it’s really dangerous. That’s why Volkswagen is acting fast to fix it.
To address the problem, Volkswagen has committed to replacing the defective suction pump in the affected vehicles at zero cost to owners. Notification letters are scheduled to be dispatched starting April 12, ensuring that owners are promptly informed about the recall and the necessary steps to rectify the issue.
This isn’t the first instance of Volkswagen grappling with this particular problem. A previous recall in 2016 targeted approximately 110,000 vehicles for the same issue. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the replacement pumps were also prone to failure, necessitating the current recall.
The decision to recall the vehicles follows an investigation initiated by US safety regulators, prompted by 79 complaints from vehicle owners regarding fuel leaks. Volkswagen has documented 1,410 warranty claims related to the issue between May 2016 and December last year. Thankfully, there have been no reported incidents of fires stemming from the defect.
The Hill contacted Volkswagen to get more thoughts and comments about the recall. They emphasized how crucial it is to quickly and thoroughly deal with safety worries in the car industry.
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