DETROIT (AP) — Volkswagen is telling U.S. dealers to stop
selling its most popular cars until transmission fluid leaks can be
fixed.
The order covers about 25,000 Jetta, Passat, Beetle and
Beetle convertible models equipped with 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engines
and automatic transmissions, spokesman Scott Vazin said Wednesday. They
were built after Feb. 1.
An "O-ring" that links a transmission
fluid line to a cooler can fail and cause leaks, potentially causing a
fire. Vazin says no fires or crashes have been reported. VW plans to
replace the defective parts.
About half the cars remain on dealer
lots. Vazin says VW is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration on how to fix the cars that have been sold.
He says owners with questions about their cars should contact their dealers.
Vazin
expects parts to be available to make the repairs in two weeks or less.
The simple repairs should take about a half-hour, Vazin says.
The stop-sale order was first reported by the trade publication Automotive News.
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