Other Fuel System Tank Assembly problems of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat

Fuel leaking from fitting on top of tank near fuel level sending unit.

I purchased a 2002 Passat w8 4-motion, having only 126,000 miles on the odometer, in October 2017 often after refueling the vehicle, I would notice the faint scent of gasoline. Upon investigating where the gasoline smell was originating, I found it had developed a very large fuel leak from which fuel could be seen dripping on the forward, left side of the fuel tank. After performing some brief research, I found that there was a recall on the Passat 4-motions, dated April 2008, in regards to a ventilation valve on the fuel tank. I promptly made a appointment with my local vw dealer for Dec 4th. On December 6, 2017, I contacted the dealership asking jay, the service manager at the vw dealership, if they found the vent valve to be leaking. I was told that the valve was in fact leaking at the bonded valve point. After hearing nothing the next two days, I received a phone call from vw stating that they found the under-body damage to be the cause of the leak. I requested to see the pictures of the damage so that I could examine them myself. On December 11, 2017, I received the pictures from the service manager showing the heat shields surrounding the tank to have some brush marks and to be disfigured a bit. Please keep in mind, this was a known issue in the early 2000's, and the vehicle is now 15 years old with 127,000 miles on it and the recall had been completed. This "damage" would not lead to a fuel tank leak as the fuel tank itself was not damaged. Very upset, I wrote to the regional case manager on Dec 11, 2017 with my thoughts on the damage and to get more details on the case. I have yet to receive a response.

The gas tank is leaking on the upper side behind the rear seats when is full. I think Volkswagen recalled some vehicles for the same problem in the past.

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a fuel leak. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel leak originated near the rear of the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a fuel leak in the vehicle coming from the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked fuel without warning. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the ventilation valve was fractured and caused fuel to leak. Also, the tank only leaked when it was more than half full. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Report receipt date: Apr 07, 2008 NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 component(s): fuel system, gasoline when fuel tank is more than 3/4 fuel a fuel smell appears inside the vehicle. A prior recall was done for a heat shield, fuel line and 4motion fuel tank vent valve for inspection and replace as needed. These seem to fail again. Most dealers mark recall as performed without a leak and when the leak actually occurs they try to deny the issue as performed already. This needs to be addressed so that owners of lower mileage vehicles ( under 150000) can get the repair fixed under a recall that has been on the vehicle prior.

When fuel tank has approximately 8 gallons or more, fuel pours out from under the rear driver's side about two feet from the outer kick panel. Noticed there was a recall and vwoa said that my VIN does not qualify for the recall despite my explaining that the problem is identical to other complaints on vehicles that were recalled. This was at 118k miles and it happened to the previous owner arround 80k.

First time I filled tank fuel full with fuel and fuel tank started to leak. I send the car to Volkswagen dealer nd they found a crack on welded part of the tank, where two parts of the fuel tank are weld together. If fuel tank is less than 3/4 it does not leak but if it is full leak. I call Volkswagen and they told me than the car is two old and with too much of the miles to be covert from any recall so they will not pay for fuel tank replacment and they do not support the safety of any car above 100. 000 miles are older than 10 years. I payed $2154 for the replacement of the fuel tank . Dealer gave to me the cracked tank, I asked for it, and I have it I my garage.

Concerning Volkswagen recall 08v156000. Summary: Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 Passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after June 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic transmissions may have a fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture. Consequence: a heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire. Remedy: dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas. Dealers will also inspect the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on June 13, 2008. Fast fwd to 2013. Our gas tank is now leaking out and there's every indication it's a ventilation valve. The recall work was complete on this car in 2008, although the dealer service order did not specify the fuel tank ventilation valves were inspected. The work ordered specified installing the heatshields only. Vw dealer will not cover costs of checking the ventilation valve given they said the recall work was already performed. Who holds dealer accountable for properly completing recall inspection /maintenance?.

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that after refueling, fuel spilled out of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 109,000.

I bought a Volkswagen Passat 2002 from a local dealer. The vehicle came with no warranty. The day I got the vehicle I filled the car with full tank of gasoline. I parked the car outside my appartment and next day when I checked there was gas leaking from the car. This happened like for 4 days and when the fuel in the car reduced to half of the fuel tank capacity it stopped. I thought it soudld be some sort of leak which stopped by itself. But next time when I did a full tank re fill again the gasoline started leaking. Even this time it stopped after the fuel in the car reduced to half the tank level. I called up Volkswagen cutomer care to get this fuel tank replaced as per NHTSA action number : pe08008. They told the fuel tank was replaced in June 2011. Its just a year and again it is happening the same. They didn give me the information were it was replaced and told it has crossed 1 year of warranty period and they cant help. But here it just 11 days from June 2011 and the fuel tank was spoil yet again. I request you to take this appeal of mine and get this fuel tank replaced for me. This is a matter of saftey. If it was something else I wouldnt have worried but here this is fuel leaking from fuel tank. Small burst of fire or spark inside or outside the car can be very dangerous. Even the leaking fuel mite get ignited while the car is travelling for a longer period in summer due to heat.