Audi, Volkswagen Recall 2.60 Lakh Cars in US and Canada Over Potential Fuel Leak and Fire Risk

More than 261,000 Golf-based vehicles from the 2015 through 2020 model years are being recalled by Volkswagen and Audi due to a possible risk of fire caused by a faulty fuel pump seal, which is found inside the tank. A few front-wheel drive models have a potentially failing suction jet pump seal, according to the Safety Recall Report. Fuel may seep into the evaporative emissions system, pollute the charcoal canister, and ultimately leak out through the filter element if this seal fails. This could lead to problems with the emissions system as well as the accidental entry of fuel vapours into other areas. "Due to a manufacturing issue, seal rings inside the suction jet pump in the fuel tank were assembled with too much tension during the manual process," the Volkswagen recall report stated.

Models Impacted

Speaking of the cars under the radar, this latest recall issued by the Volkswagen Group of America affects several different cars, such as the Audi A3 Sedan and Cabriolet, manufactured from 2015 to 2020. Besides, the Volkswagen Jetta GLI (2019–2020), 2018 Golf Sportwagen GP, Golf Sportwagen A7 (2018–2019), Golf Sportwagen (2015–2017), Golf GTI (2015–2020), and Golf A7 (2015–2020) are among the other vehicles affected.

The Issue

The issue dates back many years, and it affects both the original pump and a better one that was included in an earlier recall solution and is referred to as Version 1.1. The car manufacturer felt that this “did not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety,” since an earlier “analysis of claims showed that the improved version of the suction jet pump showed a significantly better field performance than the recalled version”. The company chose to carry out a fresh recall, nevertheless, after additional testing "indicated an increased failure rate."

Customers will not be charged for the redesign of the pump that will replace the suction jet pump as part of the recall. According to the government, the most recent pump is referred to as Version 2.0 and has several enhancements and modifications.

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer Breaks Cover

In other news, Volkswagen unveiled the ID.7 Tourer, an estate or station wagon variant of the ID.7 that made its debut in April last year. The Volkswagen Passat will be replaced by the electric ID.7, and while the ID.7 sedan will be sold throughout the world, the Tourer version will only be offered in Europe. At the Volkswagen facility in Emden, Germany, the ID.7 Tourer will be manufactured alongside the ID.7 saloon and the ID.4 SUV.

Since the Tourer shares many internal components with the sedan, it will be offered in two trim levels when it launches: Pro and Pro S. Both a 77kWh and an optional 86kWh battery are used in the Pro, and according to the automaker, this combination would give it 685-kilometres of range on the WLTP test cycle in Europe. When it comes to charging time, Volkswagen states that the bigger pack can recharge from 10 to 80 per cent capacity in less than 30 minutes at a maximum power of 200 kW. The car is propelled by the same 282bhp and 545Nm rear-wheel-drive single-motor system; all-wheel drive will be an option that will be introduced later.

On the design front, the wagon and its fastback sedan equivalent are almost identical from the front. There are shared sharp curves in the lower portion of the bumper, and the narrow headlights that come with LED matrix technology are connected by a horizontal LED strip. The most noticeable unique feature is the expanded roof that ends in a roof spoiler. Moreover, its taillight design is reminiscent of the ID.7. The interior boasts a 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the brand's new IDA voice assistant with OTA updates. The panoramic sunroof with smart glass, which allows owners to change the transparency or opacity of the roof with a single button press, massaging seats, and a new Wellness app make up the list of optional features.