Lawsuit Investigation into VW, Audi Fuel Tank Suction Jet Pump

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against Volkswagen over reported problems with the fuel tank suction jet pump in certain 2015-2020 Audi A3 and VW Golf vehicles.

In 2016, the automaker recalled more than 110,00 model year 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf, GTI, Golf SportWagen, Audi A3 and A3 Cabriolet vehicles over concerns that they may have come equipped with a damaged suction jet pump inside the fuel tank. This reported defect can lead to gas leaks, presenting a risk of fire.

Attorneys believe the 2016 recall may have failed to adequately address the issue or cover enough vehicles and are looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of drivers.

Volkswagen, Audi Fuel Tank Suction Pump Recall

Volkswagen’s 2016 recall included certain 2015-2016 VW Golf, GTI, Golf SportWagen, Audi A3, and A3 Cabriolet vehicles with suction jet pumps containing seal rings that may have been assembled with too much tension.

According to the NHTSA’s recall report, this component is designed to purge fuel from the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. However, the reported suction pump defect can cause fuel to flow directly into the EVAP system, accumulate, and leak through the charcoal canister filter element. Notices sent to affected VW and Audi drivers warned that gas leaks pose a serious fire hazard when exposed to an ignition source.

The letters stated that other symptoms of suction pump failure could include refueling issues, such as premature fuel nozzle shutoffs and fuel spillbacks, or a gas odor inside the car.

Although the automaker offered to replace suction pumps in covered vehicles free of charge, consumers have continued to report problems related to the part, particularly in newer model years not included in the recall.

Drivers Report Issues Even After Recall

In December 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it had received 79 complaints from drivers who said their 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles had exhibited fuel leaks or other issues related to the reported defect.

Specifically, consumers say they’ve experienced gas leaks in the rear right area of the vehicle, near the fuel tank filler door and the rear right wheel well. They’ve also complained of refueling problems, gas odors in the cabin and the risk of fire associated with suction pump failure.

Below is a sampling of complaints from the NHTSA’s website [sic throughout]:

The suction pump on my vehicle has gone faulty and the car will no longer accept more than a gallon of gas. A faulty suction pump commonly leads to gas leaks and a faulty charcoal canister as well. The suction pump for the 2015 and 2016 golf gti was recalled due to this issue. There are hundreds of people with later models from 2017-2020 including myself that experience that exact same problem but VW has yet to extend the recall to our years … I am very frustrated over this because this can be close to $2000 in repairs. I should not be held financially responsible for a faulty pump that should have been recalled from the manufacturer.”
— 2017 Volkswagen Golf complaint, NHTSA.gov

Fuel evaporation canister started leaking raw fuel after a strong gas odor was present before hand. The fuel suction pump failed and pressure built up in my gas tank. I was at risk because the presence of raw fuel near ignition sources can cause a fire. Verified at Volkswagen dealership. No warning signs by car when issue first started. Only sign of problem before raw fuel leaking was poor car performance, car stalled and I could not put more than a gallon of gas in the fuel tank.”
— 2017 Volkswagen Golf complaint, NHTSA.gov

The vehicle cabin started to smell like gas and the car would not accept fuel into the tank. Took to Audi/VW independent repair shop where they indicated fuel jet pump in gas tank was not working properly and that it had flooded various components with fuel (charcoal cannister, etc.). Directed us not to drive as it was a fire danger and said that we should send to Audi to see if they would cover this under warranty as it was a major emissions and safety problem ... ”
— 2017 Audi A3 complaint, NHTSA.gov

Was trying to fill up my car at the gas station. The car would not accept any fuel. Frustrated, I went to try another gas station. Same thing happened. Went home to check and see what the problem was and gas started spewing out of the gas tank from where you fill it up with gas. Car (to my knowledge) has never been overfilled, by me. This is apparently a problem with the 2017 VW golf's as well (which run on the same platform as my Audi A3). It is a problem that most people are saying could be the Charcoal canister prematurely dying, or a suction pump dying, which is supposed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.”
— 2017 Audi A3 complaint, NHTSA.gov

Vehicle tank was almost empty. Was unable to fill the tank because the gas station pump stopped constantly without being full. Took 15 minutes to fill the tank. Fuel came out of my tank and a very unpleasant fuel odor came into the car. When arrived home gasoline came out of the tank again, a significant amount of fuel came out. Fortunately the car didn't catch fire. Took it to a mechanic and the gasoline pump valve was replaced. This valve is under the rear seats. No recall available for my car for this issue. I was told that VW/AUDI knows well about this issue but they didn't include all VIN numbers on this recall. I ended paying $140 for this repair”
—  2017 Audi A3 complaint, NHTSA.gov

These complaints have prompted the NHTSA to investigate whether VW’s 2016 recall adequately addressed the suction pump issue. The probe will inspect more than 447,000 Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 vehicles with model years between 2015 and 2020, Reuters reports.

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

If successful, a lawsuit could help compensate owners and lessees for repairs and replacements, as well as the loss of value of their vehicles. It could also force Volkswagen to recall all affected models and provide a permanent fix for the issue.

In September 2022, VW issued warranty extensions for the fuel tank suction jet pumps in 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf, 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and 2019-2022 Jetta A7 GLI vehicles for 15 years or 150,000 miles. Although the automaker agreed to provide free replacements of failed suction jet pumps in these vehicles, a successful class action lawsuit could help certain Volkswagen drivers get back some of the money they spent on repairs before the warranty extensions were announced.

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