VW Upgrading Older Diesels in North America to Prevent Misfueling

Diesel is not anywhere near as popular in North America as in Europe. The problem started in the 80s when diesel passenger cars in the US were slow, noisy, smelly and in some cases unreliable. It poisoned diesel sales in North America for a generation, but the market is finally starting to grow again. VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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is the market leader of diesel cars in the US, and it is noticed a problem with owners putting the wrong types of fuel in their car. It is recalling over 250,000 diesel cars in the US and Canada to change the fuel filler neck to only fit diesel fuel pumps. 

The recall covers 209,500 cars in the US and 51,600 cars in Canada made between 2009 and 2012. It covers diesel models of the JettaVolkswagen Jetta Gen.6Germany, 2011 > present69 versions
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, GolfVolkswagen Golf Gen.6 [Mk6 - A6/Typ 5K]Germany, 2009 > 2012249 versions
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and Jetta SportWagenVolkswagen Jetta SportWag...Germany, 2011 > present1 photo
, which is called the Golf Wagon in Canada. The recall will begin on May 28. 

VW found that in 90% of failed fuel pumps in its diesel cars in the US, 90% had gasoline in the fuel tank. 

The recall will add a guard and new fuel filler neck that will only allow a diesel fuel pump to be used on the car. The 2013 diesels already have the changes.

"As diesel engine passenger vehicles become more popular, auto manufacturers have seen an increase in the number of misfueling cases where diesel engine vehicles are mistakenly fueled with gasoline," said the recall notice sent to dealers. 

Diesels made up 0.8% of US car sales in 2012, but that is up from 0.1% of car sales being diesel in 2008.

Source: Automotive News