Volkswagen Recalls nearly 380,000 North American cars

VW is recalling almost 380,000 cars in North America, for a potential fire hazard due to chafed fuel lines under the hood. Keep this one in the back of your mind, you might very well need to make the fix for one of these cars in the not so distant future.

Here's the text from the NHSTA document:

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA: 2006-2010 
VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA SPORTWAGEN: 2009
VOLKSWAGEN / NEW BEETLE: 2006-2010 
VOLKSWAGEN / NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE: 2006-2010
VOLKSWAGEN / RABBIT: 2006-2010

Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Mfr's Report Date: DEC 14, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V621000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 377286

Summary:

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, RABBIT, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, AND MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

Consequence:

IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes:

VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL NO. 20I4/U1. 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 .