Porsche and Volkswagen SUVs Recalled for Fuel Leaks
Porsche and Volkswagen SUVs Recalled for Fuel Leaks
About 135,000 Porsche and Volkswagen SUVs are being recalled due to a fuel leak danger. According to a report on Forbes.com, these actions mean Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have together recalled about 278,000 vehicles in the last year for the same issue. Porsche has said its action covers about 50,000 vehicles (2004-2006 Cayenne, 2003-2006 Cayenne S and 2003-2006 Cayenne Turbo), and Volkswagen, about 74,000 (2004-2007 Touareg). The automakers’ reports did not mention if they were any fires.
The Problem with the Vehicles
The recalls come just about a year after Audi recalled about 143,000 corporate siblings, the 2009-2012 Q5 and 2007-2012 Q7, for the same problem. Documents submitted with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) state that the problem is with “fine hairline cracks” that could appear after an extended period of use on the filter flange of the fuel pump. This could cause a small quantity of fuel to leak, heightening the risk of a fire.
While the automakers have tried to minimize the problem by saying only a “very small” quantity of fuel is likely to leak as a result of this vehicle defect, car owners see it a little differently. In 2013, a Touareg owner from California wrote to federal officials about a “puddle of gas” under his vehicle noting that this was a serious problem that needs to be addressed “before someone dies.” He also noted: “This is a hazard to my family and the public as a whole.” This expanded recall comes after NHTSA officials contacted Volkswagen and Porsche in February noting complaints from owners about fuel leaks similar to those in the 2016 recall.
Auto Product Liability Issues
Fuel leaks are extremely dangerous because they have the potential to cause vehicle fires. As the vehicle owner mentioned in his complaint to NHTSA, this is a vehicle defect, which has the potential to take a life and cause catastrophic injuries. If you have been injured as the result of a vehicle defect or a recalled vehicle, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses by filing an auto defect claim.
If you have lost a loved one to a vehicle defect, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well. In such cases, it would be in the best interest of injured victims or families who have lost loved ones to contact an experienced auto defect lawyer who will help them hold the negligent automaker accountable and secure maximum compensation for their losses.
