Fuel Leak from Fuel Tank Suction Pump Failure

Affected vehicles (5)

Component / system

Defect

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain front-wheel drive 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan, 2015-2019 Audi A3 Cabriolet, 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI, 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, 2018-2019 Golf Sportwagen A7, 2015-2017 Golf Sportwagen, 2015-2020 Golf GTI, and 2015-2020 Golf A7 vehicles. Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.

Risk / consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the suction pump, free of charge. Final owner notification letters for Audi owners were mailed on July 25, 2024. Final owner letters for VW owners were mailed on August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are VW: 20UF/Audi: 20YF. Vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-647 will need to have the new remedy completed. This recall expands and replaces previous recall number 16V-647.

Chronology of events

1. August 2016

   August 2016: Determination of defect for vehicles built with a specific suction jet pump. Vehicles that have been included in the recall (Recall 16V-647) have received an improved version (Version 1.1) of the suction jet pump as recall remedy.

2. April 2018

   April 2018: First failures were reported from the field and investigation was initiated.

3. December 2018

   December 2018: Analysis with supplier in Alfmeier Germany

4. February 2019

   February 2019: The matter was brought to Volkswagen de Mexico's product safety committee and field monitoring was implemented.September 2020: In a quarterly meeting with NHTSA, the topic of allegations of failing suction jet pumps after recall was put on the agenda by NHTSA. Volkswagen started the investigation of these allegations in order to understand the complaints. September 2020 - October 2023: This topic was discussed multiple times with NHTSA. An analysis of claims showed that the improved version of the suction jet pump showed a significant better field performance than the recalled version. No fires related to this topic have been identified. A field analysis program was initiated in order to understand the behavior of the improved version. It was Volkswagen understanding that this topic did not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. A warranty extension was initiated in order to cover costs for the customer in case a suction jet pump, which was installed in course of the recall, would fail. January 2024: NHTSA sent a Recall Query (RQ 23-007). During the intensive analysis of warranty claims and customer complaints (VOQ's), the evaluation of the field performance of the improved version of the suction jet pump indicated an increased failure rate.

5. Feb 7, 2024

   February 7, 2024: The topic was discussed at the Product Safety Committee's of Volkswagen and Audi and a recall for all front wheel drive vehicles that have been equipped with the improved version was decided (based on 1410 warranty claims on FWD vehicles with repair dates between 05/01/2016 and 12/31/2023).

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

FEB 16, 2024 - FEB 16, 2024

Owner notification

AUG 30, 2024 - AUG 30, 2024

Documents (31)