NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
13 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 10, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System
Previous recall in 2017 regarding fuel filter housing cracks and seals has failed. In 2017 it was approved to allow VW to use cellophane sticky tape to cover the fuel filter crack in plastic housing. It has failed. The car has 43,000 miles, the cabin has strong odor smell. The left rear wheel arch has extremely strong gasoline s…
Read full complaint
Previous recall in 2017 regarding fuel filter housing cracks and seals has failed. In 2017 it was approved to allow VW to use cellophane sticky tape to cover the fuel filter crack in plastic housing. It has failed. The car has 43,000 miles, the cabin has strong odor smell. The left rear wheel arch has extremely strong gasoline smell. How was VW able to get approval to fix a serious fuel leak with sticky tape?
NHTSA ODI #11619059
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System
I have a 2010 VW Touarge V6, recently it started leaking fuel out, after taking the car to VW dealership, they told me the fuel was leaking out from the fuel filter flange. VW had a recall on (2007-2010 VW Touarge) fuel filter flange back in 2017 (see below) https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V151-3759.pdf They a…
Read full complaint
I have a 2010 VW Touarge V6, recently it started leaking fuel out, after taking the car to VW dealership, they told me the fuel was leaking out from the fuel filter flange. VW had a recall on (2007-2010 VW Touarge) fuel filter flange back in 2017 (see below) https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V151-3759.pdf They acknowledges that there was a flaw in the fuel filter flange that the plastic part could crack and leak out fuel after some years. Back in 2017, I took the car to VW dealership and the recall repair they did on my car was to install a protective film on the flange (since they deemed that the flange was not broken when examined during the recall repair at the time). Now 4 years later, the flange is cracking and leaking fuel out, obviously the recall fix (protective film) did not stop the flange from cracking or fuel from leaking out. I have contacted VW customer care and stated that they failed to fix the fuel leaking hazard as the protective film was ineffective in stopping fuel to leak out from a now broken flange. I hoped they could cover the fix of the broken flange. VW customer service refused to fix the problem for me under the recall and asked me to be fully responsible for the fix, as they claimed that the "recall was done", despite that I showed they the recall details, and mentioned that the problematic flange was not replaced, and questions the effectiveness of the recall repair done in 2017. I feel I have to question whether the original recall fix was proper (that for un-cracking flange at the time, only a protective film was installed instead of replacing the problematic fuel filter flange, that had big leaking problems) So please help to investigate the case, and let VW know that they should always put customer's safety first. Looks to me, they used a cheap method (a plastic film) to avoid replacing an already inexpensive flange part, and in exchange, customer had to face such safety hazard and big car repair bill...
NHTSA ODI #11434728
84,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 FUEL PUMP FLANGE VW HAD A SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. BUT THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE FLANGE FOR ME. INSTEAD THEY ONLY PUT A PROTECTIVE FILM THERE WHICH DID NOT WORK. NOW MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL BUT VW REFUSED TO COVER IT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND THEIR RECALL SIMPLY DO NOT FIX THE PRO…
Read full complaint
SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 FUEL PUMP FLANGE VW HAD A SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. BUT THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE FLANGE FOR ME. INSTEAD THEY ONLY PUT A PROTECTIVE FILM THERE WHICH DID NOT WORK. NOW MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL BUT VW REFUSED TO COVER IT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND THEIR RECALL SIMPLY DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FUEL FOR A FEW DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11232517
135,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING OUR VEHICLE TO STALL WITH NO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY OFF RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY. I HAD MY SON, WIFE AND DOG IN THE CAR. I COULD NOT MOVE THE 5000LB VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, SO I REMOVED MY FAMILY TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE DIRECTED TRAFFIC. VW DEALER THEN CAME FOR US WHILE I WAITED FO…
Read full complaint
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING OUR VEHICLE TO STALL WITH NO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY OFF RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY. I HAD MY SON, WIFE AND DOG IN THE CAR. I COULD NOT MOVE THE 5000LB VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, SO I REMOVED MY FAMILY TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE DIRECTED TRAFFIC. VW DEALER THEN CAME FOR US WHILE I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW AT DEALER AND VW IS CLAIMING MANY MANY VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUES WITH IT DUE TO THIS FAILURE THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR, WE WERE 837 MILES FROM OUR HOME. HAD TO STAY 2 NIGHTS IN A HOTEL AND RENT A CAR TO DRIVE HOME. THEY STILL CANNOT FIX OUR CAR. IT'S CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALER WITH NO CLUE TO WHAT IS WRONG. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER SIGN OF SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE STALL. IT JUST LOST POWER AND DIED. I COULD NOT RESTART IT.
NHTSA ODI #11209684
46,757 miles · Sep 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON BEYER VOLVO WINCHESTER (LOCATED AT 4015 VALLEY PIKE, WINCHESTER, VA 22602, (540) 868-3000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON BEYER VOLVO WINCHESTER (LOCATED AT 4015 VALLEY PIKE, WINCHESTER, VA 22602, (540) 868-3000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE CONNECTOR SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,757.
NHTSA ODI #11128533
109,000 miles · Jul 17, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROOKLYN VOLKSWAGEN IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK WHERE THE WASHER/GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT DROVE AWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROOKLYN VOLKSWAGEN IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK WHERE THE WASHER/GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT DROVE AWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CLEANED AND THE FUEL ODOR WOULD SUBSIDE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS "PENDING". THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 170-879-370. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA ODI #11005893
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FLANGE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL FLANGE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10984636
40,000 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
THERE IS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM INSIDE THE CAR AS WELL AS FROM THE OUTSIDE. AFTER WARMNG UP THE CAR, THERE IS VISIBLE FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER IS CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. IT LEAKS MORE AND SMELLS STRONGER WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM. THIS IS A HUGE FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS DAMAGING TO YOUR HEA…
Read full complaint
THERE IS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM INSIDE THE CAR AS WELL AS FROM THE OUTSIDE. AFTER WARMNG UP THE CAR, THERE IS VISIBLE FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER IS CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. IT LEAKS MORE AND SMELLS STRONGER WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM. THIS IS A HUGE FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS DAMAGING TO YOUR HEALTH BY BREATHING THE FUMES FROM THE LEAKING FUEL. IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #10938319
87,775 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TRAVELING 65MPH SOUTHBOUND ON RT93 IN MASSACHUSSETTS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE NOW AND A YELLOW COIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN SECONDS I LOST POWER AND STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. I ROLLED WITHOUT POWER TO SNOW FILLED SIDE OF THE ROAD. CARS WERE TRAVELING IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE SINCE IT WAS RUSH HOUR. CALLED AAA, A FLAT BED TRUCK BROUGHT…
Read full complaint
TRAVELING 65MPH SOUTHBOUND ON RT93 IN MASSACHUSSETTS WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE NOW AND A YELLOW COIL LIGHT CAME ON AND WITHIN SECONDS I LOST POWER AND STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. I ROLLED WITHOUT POWER TO SNOW FILLED SIDE OF THE ROAD. CARS WERE TRAVELING IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE SINCE IT WAS RUSH HOUR. CALLED AAA, A FLAT BED TRUCK BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS CONTAMINATED FUEL WHICH LEAD TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689488
51,397 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AT 30MPH ENTERING A INTERSECTION WITH TRAIN TRACKS. NO WARNING AT ALL OTHER THAN A QUICK LIGHT ON THE DASH AND ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DRIVER BEHIND ME LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ME AND I SOMEHOW WAS ABLE TO COAST MY VEHICLE INTO A DRIVEWAY LOT OF A GAS STAT…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AT 30MPH ENTERING A INTERSECTION WITH TRAIN TRACKS. NO WARNING AT ALL OTHER THAN A QUICK LIGHT ON THE DASH AND ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DRIVER BEHIND ME LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ME AND I SOMEHOW WAS ABLE TO COAST MY VEHICLE INTO A DRIVEWAY LOT OF A GAS STATION ON THE CORNER. AFTER COASTING INTO THE LOT I WAS UNABLE TO START MY VEHICLE AT THAT POINT I BECAME STRANDED, LUCKILY WITH NO ACCIDENT. AFTER THE FACT I DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT ON VOLKSWAGEN DIESEL ENGINES NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP THAT ALSO WOULD CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON AND LEAVING VEHICLE INOPERATIVE ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650854
NHTSA investigations
1EA11003 · High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Mar 27, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Diesel
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.