“The Wolfsburg-based automaker became aware of this problem in September 2021 when it received the first claim related to an engine compartment fire. The severity of the thermal event made root cause analysis impossible. A few weeks later, VW received yet another claim.
Additional events were identified from October 2021 through January 2022 in European markets, which prompted Volkswagen to establish a team whose only purpose was to establish the root cause for the engine compartment fire. The first interim results from driving tests indicated that the 2.0-liter engine’s cover may come loose in certain driving scenarios.
Volkswagen is referring to hard cornering and acceleration. The part is Manufactured by German supplier Polytec Car Styling Hörsching GmbH, the engine cover was discontinued from GTI and R production last month.
Volkswagen says that GTIs and Rs will be assembled with an improved engine cover design when this component becomes available. As a result, customers will have the engine covers removed by authorized Volkswagen retailers until further notice. Notifications are to be mailed by May 13th.
The above from a motoring magazine, so my view would be remove rather than face a fire claim, especially to those that have spent a bundle on a detail.
