2002 Volkswagen Passat: fuel leak

Filed Dec 19, 2017 · Fuel system · 126,000 miles · MD

I purchased a 2002 passat w8 4-motion, having only 126,000 miles on the odometer, in october 2017 often after refueling the vehicle, I would notice the faint scent of gasoline. Upon investigating where the gasoline smell was originating, I found it had developed a very large fuel leak from which fuel could be seen dripping on the forward, left side of the fuel tank. After performing some brief research, I found that there was a recall on the passat 4-motions, dated april 2008, in regards to a ventilation valve on the fuel tank. I promptly made a appointment with my local vw dealer for dec 4th. On december 6, 2017, I contacted the dealership asking jay, the service manager at the vw dealership, if they found the vent valve to be leaking. I was told that the valve was in fact leaking at the bonded valve point. After hearing nothing the next two days, I received a phone call from vw stating that they found the under-body damage to be the cause of the leak. I requested to see the pictures of the damage so that I could examine them myself. On december 11, 2017, I received the pictures from the service manager showing the heat shields surrounding the tank to have some brush marks and to be disfigured a bit. Please keep in mind, this was a known issue in the early 2000's, and the vehicle is now 15 years old with 127,000 miles on it and the recall had been completed. This "damage" would not lead to a fuel tank leak as the fuel tank itself was not damaged. Very upset, I wrote to the regional case manager on dec 11, 2017 with my thoughts on the damage and to get more details on the case. I have yet to receive a response.

Filed Dec 28, 2016 · Fuel system · 93,000 miles · FL

Fuel leak after filling gas tank. Leak on driver side under rear door. Stops after gage is below 3/4 full.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat the contact stated that the vehicle leaked fuel without warning. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the ventilation valve was fractured and caused fuel to leak. Also, the tank only leaked when it was more than half full. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Updated 01/25/17*lj

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a fuel leak. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel leak originated near the rear of the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a fuel leak in the vehicle coming from the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 77,700 miles · PA

The fuel is leaking when the tank is full, happened the two last time I fill the tank, when the tank is half not leak.

Filed Jan 2, 2014 · Fuel system · 160,000 miles · OK

There is a dangerous gas leak from the previously recalled fuel tank that is not damaged by the road, or other debris. The recall needs to stay open.

Filed Dec 2, 2013 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · NC

Since early 2009, there has been an evap system problem with my 2002 vw passat 4motion. This has caused me endless hassle and significant expense over the last 4 years. After 3 failed attempts to get the problem diagnosed, a dealer finally identified the problem in 2011 as a fuel vapor leak from the fuel tank. No mention was made of the 2008 recall (vwoa #25e5/r6, the federal safety agency #08v156000) covering such fuel leaks. After (re-)discovering the recall notice in 2013, I contacted both vw and two separate dealers; all indicated that since my vehicle was serviced in 2008 under the recall (though only the underbody heat shield was replaced; the gas tank and related parts may or may not have been "inspected" but the dealership no longer has those records nor does vw have those details), vw would not cover the fuel tank replacement. I have since contacted vw again, who have agreed to look into the matter but require me to pay to have the vehicle re-diagnosed. Since this is a safety matter (a leak at the gas tank could start a fire), it seems clear that vw's responsibilities in the matter should not be limited to merely "inspecting" the affected parts once with no oversight or follow-up, as has happened in this case.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Fuel system · 159,684 miles · CT

I recently had work done on my vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign id #08v156000, which required inspection, and the installation of additional heat shields near the fuel tank. The vehicle had been previously serviced under the campaign in 2008. Recently, the fuel tank began leaking gasoline, which indicates that the heat shields that were installed had either failed, or that the heat shields were inadequate to prevent eventual damage to the fuel tank. I believe that the fuel tanks for these vehicles should be inspected again in order to determine whether repair to the fuel tanks is required and to prevent vehicle fire, injury, and loss of life. I contacted vw customer service, and they agreed to replace the fuel tank under the federal safety agency campaign. The dealership charged me $136.49 in additional labor for the removal of aftermarket parts, even though the campaign clearly states that dealers will "replace components if necessary free of charge." neither vw customer service, nor the dealership would agree to perform the work fully free of charge. I believe that the charge for additional labor is in violation of the federal safety agency campaign and request assistance in obtaining reimbursement.

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Fuel system · 66,797 miles · CT

We have attempted to have a gas leak / smell repaired by 3 different volkswagen dealers over 5 years. We first approached the dealer in 2008 when receiving notice of a recall. The recall was the "underbody heat shield/fuel system components (#08v156000). Today, 10/17/2013 we finally have a dealer stating that there is a fuel leak even though we have been attempting to get vw to believe us for 5 years. The overwhelming smell of gasoline permeates our entire house after a fill up and immediately park the vehicle in our garage.

Filed Aug 26, 2013 · Fuel system · 196,000 miles · TX

Concerning volkswagen recall 08v156000. Summary: volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic transmissions may have a fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture. Consequence: a heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire. Remedy: dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas. Dealers will also inspect the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Fast fwd to 2013. Our gas tank is now leaking out and there's every indication it's a ventilation valve. The recall work was complete on this car in 2008, although the dealer service order did not specify the fuel tank ventilation valves were inspected. The work ordered specified installing the heatshields only. Vw dealer will not cover costs of checking the ventilation valve given they said the recall work was already performed. Who holds dealer accountable for properly completing recall inspection /maintenance?

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle and stated that there was a small fuel leak on the filler neck. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 02v026000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap); however at time of inspection, there was no fuel leak. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but stated that the statute of limitations for the recall had passed. The failure and current mileages were 90,000.

Filed Jul 10, 2012 · Fuel system · 124,681 miles · MN

I bought a volkswagen passat 2002 from a local dealer. The vehicle came with no warranty. The day I got the vehicle I filled the car with full tank of gasoline. I parked the car outside my apartment and next day when I checked there was gas leaking from the car. This happened like for 4 days and when the fuel in the car reduced to half of the fuel tank capacity it stopped. I thought it should be some sort of leak which stopped by itself. But next time when I did a full tank re fill again the gasoline started leaking. Even this time it stopped after the fuel in the car reduced to half the tank level. I called up volkswagen customer care to get this fuel tank replaced as per the federal safety agency action number : pe08008. They told the fuel tank was replaced in june 2011. Its just a year and again it is happening the same. They didn't give me the information were it was replaced and told it has crossed 1 year of warranty period and they cant help. But here it just 11 days from june 2011 and the fuel tank was spoil yet again. I request you to take this appeal of mine and get this fuel tank replaced for me. This is a matter of safety. If it was something else I wouldn't have worried but here this is fuel leaking from fuel tank. Small burst of fire or spark inside or outside the car can be very dangerous. Even the leaking fuel mite get ignited while the car is traveling for a longer period in summer due to heat.