VW recalls 189000 SUVs in North America for potential stalling

Credit: Reuters/Morris Mac Matzen

A man polishes the Volkswagen logo on a vehicle at an exhibition which is part of the annual shareholders meeting of Volkswagen AG in Hamburg April 23, 2009.

The German automaker said gas bubbles may form in the fuel system in the affected vehicles from model years 2009 through 2014 when winterized fuel with high vapor pressures is used in warmer areas or during months with higher temperatures.

That could lead to reduced fuel pump performance and pressure, potentially resulting in vehicle stalling and could lead to an accident.

VW said no accident or injuries related to the issue have been reported.

Dealers will install revised electronic control module software on all affected vehicles at no cost. The recall is expected to begin later this month, a spokeswoman said.

Of the affected vehicles, 151,389 were sold in the United States and 38,101 in Canada, a spokeswoman said. No other markets are affected by the recall, she said.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman, editing by William Hardy)