Investigations
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE04079 - closed, opened 2004-11-29 and involving the VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN.
NHTSA investigation PE04079 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2004-11-29 and currently closed. The subject of record is VOLKSWAGEN VOLKSWAGEN, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for VOLKSWAGEN. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-04-19 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE04079 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WIL..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related VOLKSWAGEN files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET. THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES. VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN A GASOLINE LEAK. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR TENSION ON THE FUEL LINE AND CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE. IF TENSION IS FOUND IN THE LINE, IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED LINE. IF THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE IS CRACKED, THE LINE AND THE PUMP WILL BE REPLACED. PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 05V154 FOR DETAILS.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other VOLKSWAGEN Investigations
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Inadvertent Door Opening
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
LGES High Voltage Battery Failures
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.