2008 Volkswagen Touareg: fuel pump failure

Filed Dec 29, 2020 · Fuel system · 78,000 miles · NY

On december 28, 2020 I detected the distinct odor of gasoline outside of the driver's side of our 2008 vw touareg while it was stationary, not running. Later while driving the pungent odor was also discernable within the vehicle. A picture of the tank reflects wetness on the driver's side. This morning during a call to donaldson's vw service, they responded that there are no open recalls for this vehicle regarding a fuel leak, for which a history of recalls exist. Is it possible that a prior recall service requires incremental remediation? What recourse is available to have a vw dealer resolve this manufacturer defect at volkswagen's expense? A brief internet search reveals precedent for vw touareg fuel leaks affecting production years 2004 through 2013 (and possibly beyond the scope of my search). Safety recall 20ai (the federal safety agency: 17v583) - fuel filter flange leak certain 2004-2007 volkswagen touareg safety recall 20z4 (the federal safety agency: 17v151000) - fuel pump flange may crack causing fuel leakage 2007 - 2010 volkswagen touareg safety recall 24bk (the federal safety agency: 15v019000) - fuel leakage affecting various audi and vw models spanning 2011 - 2013 thank you for your indulgence and potential assistance!

Filed Sep 10, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · IN

Takata recall. It happened several months ago, when I felt my car is hard to accelerate during driving. So while I am driving on the highway, it cannot go beyond 35 MPH, which is really dangerous. It felt like the fuel cannot be powered on. I took the car to a dealership. They first recommended changing the intake manifold, which was also recommended from dealer's body shop, where they had done some inspection a few days ago. After they changed the intake manifold, then they found the fuel pressure is low, and then they replaced the fuel pump. ( they didn't really detected the problem at that time from what they had said later, but they had to replace one item at a time to see if things could get better). After they replaced the fuel pump, then they found pressue did not get better, so they supposed the high pressure fuel pump was also broken. I had to follow their instruction to replace the high pressure fuel pump as well. I really feel this problem is very strange. But seems after replaceing high pressure fuel pump, the fuel pressure became normal.I did complain to the manufacture and they helped me a bit to verify that the dealer is not doing anything unprofessional doing the repair process. But in spite of the repair process, this fuel pump problem is worth to be considered a recall issue.

Filed Aug 26, 2017 · Fuel system, Seat belts · 70,877 miles · MS

After 20z4 fuel pump flange recall was done I noticed a rattle and strong gasoline smell. Tilted up rear seat and discovered seat bolts not tightened and missing. Rear seats have to be removed to access top of fuel tank to replace cracked flange and apply foil to flange if not cracked. Seat bolts and safety belt bolts are supposed to be replaced with new bolts with loctite; not reused. The 20z4 recall should require new seat bolts to be installed when the seats are re-installed.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Fuel system · 162,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen touareg. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the rear driver side tire had an abnormal odor. The contact called the dealer, keefer volkswagen in huntersville, nc, and was informed to bring in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the keefer dealer where the contact was charged for a diagnostic test and was informed that the fuel pump failed, and not the filter. The contact stated that the diagnostic was incorrect and that the fuel filter was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v151000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed May 23, 2017 · Fuel system · 122,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volkswagen touareg. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle was burning an excessive amount of fuel. The contact pulled over and observed fuel leaking from the vehicle and a strong odor of fuel was present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel lines were leaking. The vehicle was repaired and the mechanic installed a new fuel pump; however, the failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact continued to smell a strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who instructed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v151000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the repairs were completed before the recall was announced. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed May 4, 2015 · Fuel system · 91,000 miles · TX

Huge fire/ health hazard: the fuel pump housing is cracked in our car causing a significant amount of fuel to spill out underneath the vehicle (3-4 drops/ sec). The fuel pools in the frame and under-body first until the frame becomes so full that it spills out. This is a common issue with the 2004-2012 volkswagen touareg/ porsche cayenne, and very visible online. It is a manufacturing defect. The fuel pumps are located under the passenger rear seats, and fuels pools inside the covers in at those locations and around the electrical connections. These leaks caused the occupants (my wife/kids) to be exposed to severe gasoline fumes inside the car causing them dizziness, nausea, and headaches. This problem will cause a fire and kill people. Volkswagen is unable to provide assistance. I filed a complaint with them and escalated it with no results.

Filed Dec 16, 2014 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · SC

For the last 2 weeks, I started to have a smell of gas on the driver side of my car from outside. Progressively, the smell has get stronger and stronger, getting also inside the car. I put the car on a lift and realize that the entire fuel tank on the driver side located below the rear seat was covered by gas leak. It is also spilling on the exhaust system that is just on the side of that tank at extremely hot temperature. This is surely a scenario for disaster. The leak is coming from the top of the left side tank at the fuel pump location. This is clearly a safety hazard. I will take my car to volkswagen to ask them to repair it. By looking on internet forums, I realized that this is not a isolated incident, I found repeating entries of that fuel pump leak failure... This is extremely dangerous and will certainly end up in a fire...