NEWS:   Volkswagen recalls more than 228,000 cars in US

YAHOO NEWS -- December 15,  2010 –  Volkswagen has recalled more than 228,000 vehicles in the United States amid fears that faults could cause the vehicles' engines to catch fire.

The German carmaker recalled Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, Golf and Rabbit models manufactured between 2007 and 2009 due to a small plastic tab that could cause a leak in the fuel pipe, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement.

VW further recalled the New Beetle and New Beetle convertible vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines made between 2006 and 2010, which have a clamp in the power steering system that could also pierce the fuel supply line.

"If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in fire," the NHTSA said.

Some 228,236 cars could be affected by the recall, it said.

MORE RECALL INFO: 

• Volkswagen Jetta
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen Rabbit

DECEMBER 2010 - Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Jetta, New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, model year 2009 Jetta Sportwagen and model year 2007-2009 Rabbit vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines. The Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen, and Rabbit vehicles may have a small plastic tab located on the windshield washer fluid reservoir that may chafe against an underhood fuel supply line. The new beetle and the new beetle convertible vehicles may have a fastening clamp on a hydraulic hose of the power steering system that may be located in an improper position which could cause chafing against an underhood fuel supply line. If chafing occurs, there is the potential for a fuel leak to develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the underhood fuel line. Additionally, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either remove the plastic tab from the windshield washer fluid reservoir, or inspect the position of the fastening clamp and adjust the related fastening clamp into the correct position. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 31, 2011 10V-621

SEPTEMBER 2007 -- VW is recalling 340,000 MY 2005-2008 Jetta and MY 2006-2008 Rabbit, GTI, and R32 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." Some vehicles may not have had a required cap installed which disables the headlight horizontal aim and some vehicles may contain a cap that disables the vertical aiming screw. Noncompliance can inhibit proper headlamp aim adjustment for roadway illumination. Improperly aimed headlamps could cause reduced road visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the low beam horizontal aiming screw and install one if missing, and inspect for the presence of a cap in the socket of the vertical aiming screw and if present, the cap will be removed. The recall is expected to begin on or about October 31, 2007. This recall was the subject of an investigation, OA-108-070412I, conducted by the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. 07V442