Volkswagen is recalling a total of 281,505 cars in the United States for three separate fuel-leakage problems, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The first involves 2015?2016 Golf, Golf SportWagen, and GTI models sold in states requiring partial zero emission vehicle (PZEV) modifications, along with front-wheel-drive 1.8T versions of the 2015?2016 Audi A3, for faulty evaporative-emission systems. Rubber seals within suction pumps inside the gas tank were “assembled with too much tension” and can allow gas to collect within the evaporative-emission components instead of being pumped out, according to Volkswagen. This can flood the charcoal filter and lead to a continuous gasoline smell within the car, gas-station nozzles stopping prematurely due to fuel splashing back, or a fuel leak. Volkswagen first discovered the problem in July 2015 and made the supplier revise its assembly methods in November. However, as more owners reported leaks and gas odors, the company eventually decided to recall the vehicles. A total of 110,042 cars are affected, none of which include diesel TDI models. Dealers will replace the suction pump at a later date when parts become available.

On 2007?2012 Audi Q7 and 2009?2012 Audi Q5 models, part of the fuel filler flange can crack and leak fuel onto the ground. While Audi has not found the root cause of the cracks since it began investigating in July 2015, the company will have dealers install ...