Volkswagen Will Alter Diesel Models to Avoid Misfueling

2012 Volkswagen Golf / Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

Volkswagen is retrofitting about 260,000 diesel models in North America with a special fuel filler neck cap to help keep owners of diesel-powered models from accidently refueling with regular gasoline. The cap will shrink the diameter of the fuel neck and thus prevent gasoline pump nozzles from fitting into the fuel neck of a diesel vehicle. Automotive News (subscription required) learned of the service action through a memo that was sent to Volkswagen dealers.
The service action applies to TDI-equipped Jetta, Golf and Jetta SportWagen models from the 2009 to 2012 model years. About 210,000 models in the United States and 52,000 models in Canada are affected. Affected owners will receive notification of the service action starting May 28.
The dealer memo states that as diesel vehicles have become more prevalent, there have been more incidences of accidental refueling with gasoline, according to Automotive News. The publication says that all 2013 and newer diesel VW models are already equipped with the new diesel-only fuel neck cap. The retrofit for the affected models will be performed free of charge.
The Chicago Tribune says, “Gasoline in a diesel engine will stall the car and cause all sorts of problems, the biggest of which is that it voids the warranty.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation and then an engineering analysis into Volkswagen’s diesel models for failed fuel pumps, according to Kicking Tires. The publication says that many of the complaints NHTSA received involved gasoline in the fuel tank of a diesel vehicle.
Kicking Tires says that more information can be obtained by calling Volkswagen at (800) 822-8987.