This fuel pump recall for certain VW Group vehicles mirrors an earlier 2016 campaign to address the issue.
Volkswagen and Audi have launched a new recall campaign across most of its Mk7 Golf-based vehicles for a potential fire risk due to faulty seals in the suction jet fuel pump. Located inside the fuel tank, some pumps were manufactured with too much tension on the suction jet pump seals. Their pre-damaged condition could allow fuel to leak out into the evaporative emission control system (or EVAP), where it could damage the charcoal canister element or, in extreme cases, find an unwanted ignition source and start a fire.
The recall covers these cars based around the past-generation Golf’s platform:
- 2015-2020 Audi A3 Sedan (47,391 units)
- 2015-2019 Audi A3 Convertible (Cabriolet) (3,875 units)
- 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf (58,544 units)
- 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI (114,485 units)
- 2015-2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (19,673 units)
- 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen GP (606 units)
- 2018-2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen A7 (facelifted version; 5,758 units)
- 2019-2020 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (10,925 units)
All affected vehicles are front-wheel drive, and have the “Version 1.0 or 1.1” suction jet pump installed. This recall campaign does not extend to all-wheel drive models like the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, Golf R or the Audi A3 Quattro, according to what the automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Telltale signs that the fuel pump seals have failed include problems refueling where the pump shuts off before the tank is full, or if drivers notice gasoline smells when there’s no evidence of a spill after filling up. An earlier attempt to address this issue in a 2016 recall involved using new pumps with the same design, so the campaign did not ultimately solve the issue.
Volkswagen and Audi dealers will replace the suction jet pump with the latest version, at no cost to owners. If you need the pump replaced, the new part will have the number 5Q0.201.029 A. The old, defective part number omits the “A” from its designation. Volkswagen Group says it has been using the redesigned part in series production since September 2019, so vehicles built after that date should not have this issue, at least that the company has surmised.
The automaker already notified its dealers about the problem, and should mail out notices to owners on April 12.
