Volkswagen Recalling 218,000 Jettas Over Fuel Leak Risk
With so many automotive issues being “solved” with a software update and a wink of late, its nice to see a recall that harks back to the days where someone forgot to tighten a few bolts or had a delivery truck pull up to the factory with sub-optimal fasteners. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volkswagen has found itself in just such a pickle and will need to recall 218,192 Jetta sedans from the 2016-2018 model years.
The problem? Improperly torqued fuel rail bolts. The solution? Obvious.
While the Star Tribune initially reported that the manufacturer had no solution for the problem at the ready, it informed us on Friday that it would be having affected models brought in for inspection. However it looks as though every single unit will be getting new, properly torqued bolts. Volkswagen doesn’t want to take any risks and believes every one of the 218,000+ Jettas could be affected — though it did say it wasn’t aware of any fires or accidents stemming from the issue.
Problem vehicles should all have 1.4-liter motors but those who want to be doubly cautious can go to the NHTSA’s website and input their Vehicle Identification Number. Alternatively, customers can use the U.S. regulator’s campaign number (20V648) or dial Volkswagen’s customer service hotline at 1-888-241-2289 and use recall code 24GI. The recall is expected to begin in earnest on December 20th, with the manufacturer reaching out to customers directly.
[Image: VW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Still don't trust VW. The 1.5l replacement for the 1.4 over in Europe has been out for while, and it is not good. Here's just one article: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/new-cars/2019-07/no-end-in-sight-for-volkswagen-15-tsi-engine-problems/ It's just as well VW tries out its experiments at home, where unflagging faith in German products still somehow continues. Now we find out they can't even screw the old 1.4 together properly, literally. Keep your nose in shape and smell that fuel leakage! Infotainment crap galore to order toilet paper on the interwet, spy on you, add general uselessness that has nothing to do with driving, but hey, no sensor for fuel leakage. You're on your own!
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So far, my ace of base Jetta S has turned 40k miles. No issues, and the base 2017 has the IRS, not beam axle, which was lost with the new MQB base car. The 1.4 is an excellent engine for the output-super low NVH, and 35 mpg all day. Once I'm out of powertrain warranty (50k) it's getting a tune, 147 hp > 180 hp. The only thing I needed to do was replace the abysmal hard plastic Bridgstone Ecotopias with Cont DWS 06 on the OE steelies (you can go 225/50 with the same height as OE and you don't fear potholes) and now the car sticks like a VW should. I kept an M54 powered BMW on the road for 300k plus miles, so I get German cranky-ness and all the overengineered c#ap that breaks....but this particular Mexi-Jetta appears solid and hasn't taken anything not "by the book" so far. When things wear out I'll upgrade suspension bits but so far, no issues. I've had a bunch of VW's but when this came off lease the entire fam told me "we LOVE Blue" so I had to buy it. The 5 speed is a bonus.
A Rose by Any Other Name