The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it is expanding its investigation of diesel-powered Volkswagens. NHTSA said it has received 160 complaints about engines shutting down or losing power, primarily at high speeds. The investigation began in August. The complaints involve 2009 and 2010 model year Jettas and 2010 models of the Golf and the Audi A3 with TDI clean diesel engines. (http://www.manufacturing.net/News/2011/02/Automotive-Gov-t-Expands-Volkswagen-Investigation/)
"The safety agency says one minor crash has been reported related to a failure of the car's high pressure fuel pump."
When Toyota was going through its sticking accelerator problems, it conducted its own tests and hired outside experts to run tests. I can't find a sign that Volkswagen is taking similar measures. Instead, the manufacturer is blaming the cars' owners, claiming "the problem could be related to gasoline contamination from drivers pumping the wrong fuel."
I'm not sure how seriously VW is taking what could become a crisis. I feel it needs to work on its message. Saying that its cars' owners aren't smart enough to put in the right fuel may not be the best way to go. Throughout most of the 1990s, no one took the exploding Firestone ATX tires on Ford Explorers seriously until 271 people died and 800 were injured. VW better not wait that long.
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