Volkswagen and Audi are both recalling 168,275 TDI models due to the possibility of a fuel leak in the engine bay.

The fuel injector pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of injector line number 2, creating additional stress in the fuel line. The added stress could lead to cracks in the line, which would leak fuel and create the potential for a fire.

The affected models are as follows: 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen, 2010-2012 Volkswagen Golf, and 2010-2012 Audi A3, all equipped with Volkswagen’s 2.0L TDI engine.

To resolve the issue, Volkswagen will be fitting an improved fuel injector line on cylinder 2, as well as vibration dampers for all injector lines, all free of charge. Owner notifications begin to go out in November.

Press Release

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):      AUDI / A3 2010-2012      VOLKSWAGEN / GOLF 2010-2012      VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA 2009-2012      VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA SPORTWAGEN 2009-2012 Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC Mfr’s Report Date: SEP 30, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V490000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Potential Number of Units Affected: 168,275

Summary: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence: DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes: VOLKSWAGEN RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 23J9/V5. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Source: NHTSA