2021-2023 Audi Models Difficult Refueling TSB

Symptoms

Owners of affected Audi vehicles may notice the following symptoms related to refueling:

• The fuel nozzle repeatedly shuts off during the refueling process.
• Difficulty starting the fueling process properly.
• The fuel tank appears to be not completely full despite multiple attempts to refuel.

Workshop Findings and Diagnosis

Audi's technical service bulletin explains that the issue of Audi difficult refueling is not indicative of a fault or component failure. Instead, it's attributed to the high flow velocity of certain fuel pump nozzles. This can cause temporary pressure build-up or bottlenecks within the vehicle's tank venting system.

This pressure increase leads to a premature shutoff of the fuel nozzle, interrupting the refueling process. This behavior is considered a characteristic of the refueling system's design rather than a defect.

Owner Action

If you are experiencing Audi difficult refueling, Audi recommends the following steps before seeking service:

1. Try a Different Fuel Station or Nozzle: Advise the customer to try refueling at another fuel station. Different stations may use nozzles with varying flow rates or designs (e.g., non-Healy type dispensers), which could alleviate the temporary pressure build-up.
2. Verify Refueling: Confirm that refueling can be completed successfully at the alternative station.
3. No Component Replacement: It is important to note that this issue does not require component replacement, as it is not considered a fault within the vehicle's design.

This Technical Service Bulletin is for informational purposes only and does not fall under Audi's warranty.

Source: NHTSA ID 11026215