Certain 2009-2010 Volkswagen Routan owners will be contacted by the manufacturer about a problem with their vehicle ignition switch system. These vehicles may experience inadvertent ignition key displacement from the “run” to the “accessory” position while driving. If this happens, the engine will turn off, depowering various key safety systems including; airbags, power steering, and power braking. The loss of these systems may increase the chance of injury during an accident. Continue reading

Customer complaints regarding fuel odor in the engine compartment of certain Audi and Volkswagen vehicles will have approximately 26,000 owners returning to their dealership for repairs. According to reports, a combination of production tolerance issues combined with vibrations during dynamic driving, could result in a fuel leak in the fuel injection system. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries as a result of this safety defect, but a fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in an engine fire. Continue reading

Certain 2015 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles with low line electrical architecture and halogen headlights may not conform to FMVSS 108 (Lamps, Reflective Devices, And Associated Equipment). According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, the software within the control module is programmed to turn off the low beam headlights when the high beams are activated. This noncompliance could cause insufficient lighting, reducing the driver’s vision and increasing the chance of an accident. Continue reading

Volkswagen will be contacting certain Beetle, Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Passat owners about a manufacturing defect that could result in an engine fire.

According to reports filed with the NHTSA, during manual rework at the supplier, insufficient solder may have been used to seal a cap at the fuel rail. The failing seal may leak and in the presence of an ignition source could result in fire. Drivers of vehicles experiencing this problem may notice fuel smell in or around the vehicle and/or the EPC warning light may illuminate when the fuel rail pressure cannot be maintained. Continue reading

Volkswagen Group of America will be notifying owners of certain 2011-2013 Jetta and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles of a safety defect that could result in loss of vehicle control. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the durability of the trailing arm on one or both rear axles could be reduced during a rear or side rear impact crash. If this problem is not correctly diagnosed and repaired it could lead to a sudden complete fracture of the trailing arm and an increased chance of an accident. Continue reading

Volkswagen will be asking owners of some 2015 Golf and 2015 GTI cars to return their vehicle to their nearest dealer to repair a problem that could affect steering.

Due to insufficient torque of the stabilizer link fasteners, the fasteners could loosen over time. In rare cased, the stabilizer link could detach completely and interfere with the vehicle’s steering. Drivers may hear considerable noise coming from the front of the vehicle and increased steering effort will be required. The unexpected increased handling effort could increase the chance of an accident. Continue reading