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02/17/17
Wolfsburg
Models
Press Release

Volkswagen voluntarily issues workshop recall for natural gas models up to and including model year 2014 as a precautionary measure

  • Voluntary recall affects Passat, Touran and Caddy natural gas models
  • Gas fuel tanks are to be exchanged for units with new paint system

To increase customer satisfaction, Volkswagen is extending the exchange of natural gas fuel tanks as a voluntary and precautionary measure to include the following natural gas models: Touran (model years 2011 to 2014), Passat (model years 2011 to 2014) and Caddy (model years 2011 to 2012).

Although the vehicles concerned are of recent production, Volkswagen wishes to exchange the existing gas tanks for new tanks with the modern paint system. In Germany a total of 6,270 Cars (2,359 Caddy, 2,361 Touran and 1,550 Passat) are affected by this recall.

Through this measure, Volkswagen AG as the manufacturer is firstly aiming to ensure that all gas tanks of the old generation are replaced and hence all vehicles are refitted with natural gas fuel tanks conforming to the current, improved production specifications. Secondly, the intention is to offer the customer a robust and reliable, long-term solution.

The underfloor CNG tanks are exposed to external influences that can lead to reduced durability. The natural gas fuel tanks must therefore be regularly checked in accordance with the Volkswagen servicing schedules. If the inspection of the gas system is not carried out at all or only insufficiently, any corrosion of the tanks due to mechanical damage may remain undetected. This creates the risk that in some of these vehicles a damaged outer casing might no longer provide the necessary protection from corrosion. If corrosion progresses over a lengthy period of time, the wall thickness of a gas tank may be reduced to below the necessary residual level. Gas tanks with an insufficient residual wall thickness may burst and thus result in a considerable danger of injury with risk to life and limb.

Volkswagen is writing directly to owners of the vehicles affected by the precautionary recall and asking them to make an appointment at their authorised service shop to have the gas tanks replaced. Conversion of the vehicles is free of charge. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has been informed of this procedure and will monitor conversion of the vehicles.

Volkswagen wishes to point out to all customers that the clearance certificate issued for the newer vehicles (from model year 2011) retains its validity and that refuelling with natural gas continues to be permissible.

Media contact

Michael Franke
Michael Franke
Spokesperson Product Safety
Tel. +49 (0) 5361 / 9-45078
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The specified fuel consumption and emission data have been determined according to the measurement procedures prescribed by law. Since 1st September 2017, certain new vehicles are already being type-approved according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), a more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Starting on September 1st 2018, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) will be replaced by the WLTP in stages. Owing to the more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured according to the WLTP will, in many cases, be higher than those measured according to the NEDC. For further information on the differences between the WLTP and NEDC, please visit www.volkswagen.de/wltp.

We are currently still required by law to state the NEDC figures. In the case of new vehicles which have been type-approved according to the WLTP, the NEDC figures are derived from the WLTP data. It is possible to specify the WLTP figures voluntarily in addition until such time as this is required by law. In cases where the NEDC figures are specified as value ranges, these do not refer to a particular individual vehicle and do not constitute part of the sales offering. They are intended exclusively as a means of comparison between different vehicle types. Additional equipment and accessories (e.g. add-on parts, different tyre formats, etc.) may change the relevant vehicle parameters, such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics, and, in conjunction with weather and traffic conditions and individual driving style, may affect fuel consumption, electrical power consumption, CO2 emissions and the performance figures for the vehicle.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the “Guide on the fuel economy, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new passenger car models”, which is available free of charge at all sales dealerships and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, D-73760 Ostfildern, Germany and at www.dat.de.