Volkswagen Wednesday announced a recall of 377,000 cars in the United States and Canada because of potential fuel leaks. According to the company, a design flaw means a plastic tab might chafe against a fuel supply line, potentially causing the leaks. A company spokesman said that there had, so far, been no fuel leak incidents and that the recall is purely preventative.
The recall, which is expected to begin by January 31, will affect certain 2007-09 Jetta, Jetta estate, Golf and Rabbit models as well as some New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible models from 2006-10. The recall focuses on North America, since that is where these models are produced. Carmakers have become cautious in the last year after Japanese carmaker Toyota had to recall hundreds of thousands of cars amidst a public relations disaster.