VW Recalls 250,000 Diesel Models
An unusual recall is underway from Volkswagen, one that involves roughly 250,000 of its diesel-powered models. The issue has to do with drivers accidentally filling their fuel tanks with gasoline rather than diesel, which can cause severe damage to the motor.
The fix is a simple one: Volkswagen will install new fuel fillers that will only accept nozzles from diesel fuel pumps. These nozzles are typically larger than a gasoline nozzle. The revised fillers, which will consists of a guard and a neck cap, will keep the fuel tank gate closed if a smaller gas nozzle is inserted, preventing pumping from taking place.
Volkswagen was tipped off to the fueling mix-up issue when TDI models came under NHTSA investigation due to highway stalling. The cars that had suffered from this particular issue were found to have large percentages of gasoline in their diesel tanks, leading to fuel pump burnout.
Vehicles involved in the recall are Jetta, Golf, and Golf Wagon models built between 2009 and 2012. In addition to altering existing vehicles via the recall, all future VW TDI models will incorporate the new fuel filler system. 51,600 vehicles are implicated by the recall in Canada.
