2011-2012 Audi A3 Fuel Line Fire Risk Recall

Volkswagen of America, Inc. has announced a safety recall for certain 2011-2012 Audi A3 vehicles equipped with 2.0L TDI common rail diesel engines. This recall, identified by NHTSA ID 11V490000 and Volkswagen recall campaign numbers 23J9/V5 and 23J8/K5, addresses a critical issue with the fuel injection system.

Specifically, the fuel injection pulses can coincide with the natural frequency of injector line #2 under certain load and RPM conditions. This resonance creates additional stress on the fuel line.

Why This Matters: Safety Risk

Due to the resonance condition, the injector line number 2 can develop small cracks. These cracks may lead to fuel leakage within the engine compartment. Leaking fuel, when exposed to an ignition source, significantly increases the risk of a vehicle fire. This is a serious safety concern for owners of affected vehicles.

What's Being Recalled

This recall impacts 2011-2012 Audi A3 vehicles, along with certain 2009-2012 Jetta and Jetta SportWagen, and 2010-2012 Volkswagen Golf models, all equipped with the 2.0L TDI common rail diesel engine. The core issue lies with the design of the fuel injector line #2, which is susceptible to cracking under specific operating conditions.

Manufacturer's Remedy

To resolve this safety defect, Volkswagen will implement a two-part repair. For certain vehicles, an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder will be installed. Additionally, vibration dampers will be installed on all injector lines to prevent the resonance condition from recurring across the entire system. This repair will be performed free of charge to vehicle owners.

What Owners Should Do

Owners of affected 2011-2012 Audi A3 vehicles will be notified by Volkswagen and Audi. The safety recall was expected to begin during November 2011. Once notified, it is crucial to schedule an appointment with an authorized Volkswagen or Audi dealer to have the necessary repairs completed promptly. The repair will be conducted at no cost to the owner.

If you own a 2011 or 2012 Audi A3 with a 2.0L TDI engine and have not received a notification, you can contact Volkswagen directly at 1-800-822-8987. You may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.safercar.gov for more information regarding this 2012 Audi A3 recall.

NHTSA ID: 11V490000

Important Warnings

• Do not delay the repair: Given the potential fire risk, it is important to have this recall repair completed as soon as possible after receiving notification.

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Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recall ID: 11V490000