Volkswagen GTI fuel smell problems

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Fuel system · HI

Description of the Problem: The fuel pump failed and began spraying gasoline during operation. The malfunction was documented on video by an authorized Volkswagen mechanic and confirmed by a Volkswagen dealership in Honolulu, Hawaii. The component is available for inspection if required. Safety Risk: The failure caused pressurized gasoline to spray within the engine compartment, presenting a serious fire and explosion hazard. This defect posed a danger to the driver, passengers, and others nearby due to potential ignition of leaked fuel. Reproduction and Inspection: The condition was reproduced and confirmed by both an independent authorized Volkswagen mechanic and a Volkswagen dealership in Honolulu. The issue has not yet been inspected by Volkswagen of America, insurance representatives, or police authorities. Warning Signs or Prior Symptoms: A strong smell of gasoline inside the passenger cabin was present prior to discovery of the leak. No dashboard warning lights or error messages appeared. Summary: Fuel pump failure caused gasoline to spray under pressure. The problem was verified by an authorized VW mechanic and dealership in Honolulu, HI. The defective component remains available for inspection. Immediate safety risk due to potential ignition of fuel vapors.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Fuel system · OH

I had fuel leaking from my carbon canister. I was driving the previous day and noticed a gasoline smell. I thought it was something I ran over. The next day, while performing errands, I noticed the smell even more. Then I exited the vehicle to see the fuel pouring out of the car. The dealership has it now.

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Fuel system · 118,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed; there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, and the contact became aware of a fuel leak. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Fuel system · 77,304 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH up an incline, the vehicle lurched forward without warning. The contact then stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle and the fuel gauge went from half tank to empty. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the fuel had leaked out of the fuel tank. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and the contact linked the failure to the recall. The dealer confirmed that the failure was linked to the recall and that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 77,304. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 13, 2024 · Fuel system · TX

Upon driving the car ,noticed fuel odor and found fuel leak by rear passenger inner fender cover.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Fuel system · 53,000 miles · HI

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, she observed a strong fuel odor and gas leaking from under the passenger’s side rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Fuel system · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that while attempting to fill the tank, the tank failed to accept more than a half tank of fuel. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with a failure of the fuel pump which was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but was unable to confirm when the part would be available. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 23, 2022 · Fuel system · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she smelled a strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle intermittently. The contact stated while attempting to refuel at the gas station, the gas pump lever shut off at only a 1/2 gallon of fuel. The contact drove to a second gas station and attempted to top off the tank however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was able to drive to her residence, where the vehicle remained parked for four days. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the suction pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V647000 (Fuel System, Gasoline, Engine and Engine Cooling) which she associated with the failure. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and inquired about reimbursement; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall was previously completed on the vehicle in 2018 and the recall repair was one-time free of charge. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 15, 2021 · Fuel system · 18,090 miles · TX

The suction pump (part 5q0-201-029) in the evap emission control of my vehicle failed on february 7 2021 causing fuel to be brought into the charcoal canister and then into the purge valve. This LED to heavy fuel smell in my vehicle and required replacement of suction pump, charcoal canister and purge valve. Note that this failure with exact same description was identified as part of the safety recall 20y6 issued by nhsta on october 13 2016 and my vehicle was part of this recall. It was claimed that the issue was fixed on my vehicle on june 28 2017 as part of this recall by vw dealership. However, the suction pump which failed on february 7 2021 had the manufacturing date stamp of 15.08.15 which indicates that perhaps vw didn't replace the suction pump as part of the recall repair or replaced it with another faulty suction pump which still had the issue (since the manufacturing date of the failed suction pump is almost 2 years before the date of recall repair). Vw of america hasn't provided me clear answers to my questions stated below (see attached letter dated february 13 2021, that I sent to vw of america raising these concerns): I) would this suction pump that failed and which was manufactured on 15.08.15 will have the fix for the issue identified in 20y6? Ii) what was the manufacturing date of the suction pump originally installed on my vehicle before the recall repair was performed? Vw of america replied to me on february 15 2021 stating that they won't help me with this repair as the part was out of warranty. However, they didn't provide me answers to the specific questions I raised. If the recall repair was not done properly, isn't vw still responsibile to fix the issue that my vehicle suffered and I would also like them to provide me clear answers to the above two questions.

Filed Oct 19, 2020 · Fuel system · 47,215 miles · TX

Suction pump inside gas tank allowed gas to collect within the evaporative-emission system. This filled the charcoal canister filter with liquid gasoline. This gasoline spilled out into the car on the passenger side rear wheel well and on to the garage floor. I had about one quarter (1/4) of a tank of gas in the car when I parked in my home garage after a short drive to dairy queen to pick up a blizzard ice cream birthday cake. When my roommate pulled into the garage she said she smelled gas. I went back into the garage and it smelled very strongly of gas. I looked under the car and there was a good size puddle of gas under the passenger side rear tire. I backed the car of my home garage and drove straight to the nearest open mechanic shop. They removed the rear tire and the inner fender well. Then we could see the charcoal cannister was leaking liquid gasoline. I checked the VIN number with vw online and there was recalls for 2015-2016 vw gti but the recall did not include my car specific VIN number. The mechanic replaced the cannister and fuel tank. Vw had a new part number for a new design tank that superseded the old part number and required new gas lines too. Car has been repaired with my onw money and seems to run fine with no smell of gas or visible leaks. I spoke with the vw dealer where I purchased the car this morning and then spoke with vw customer care this afternoon. They both said once a recall has been issued I can submit for reimbursement. This was a very dangerous problem that could have caught fire with me in the car or parked in my home garage could have injured my family and our dog. *ln*jb VIN [xxx} was not included in the recall. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).”