Porsche and Volkswagen are recalling about 135,000 sport utility vehicles over the danger of a fuel leak, according to documents from the automakers posted on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The actions mean Volkswagen and its corporate relations –Audi and Porsche – have recalled about 278,000 vehicles in the last year for the same problem. In its report, Porsche said the action covers about 50,000 vehicles. They are the Porsche 2004-06 Cayenne, 2003-06 Cayenne S and 2003-06 Cayenne Turbo.
Volkswagen told federal regulators about 74,000 2004-07 Touareg models are covered. The automakers’ reports did not mention whether there were any fires. The recalls come about a year after Audi recalled about 143,000 corporate siblings, the 2009-12 Q5 and 2007-12 Q7 for the same problem.
That problem is that “fine hairline cracks can appear, after an extended period of use, on the filter flange of the fuel pump,” the automaker said. That would allow “a very small quantity” of fuel to leak.
But some owners see that differently.
In 2013, a Touareg owner from California wrote federal officials about a “puddle” of gas beneath his vehicle, noting this is a serious problem and has to be addressed before someone dies. It is a hazard to my family and the public as a whole.”
The expanded recall comes after NHTSA officials contacted Volkswagen and Porsche in February noting complaints from owners about fuel leaks similar to those in the 2016 recall.
