Volkswagen is telling US 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 today. They were built after February 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.
