VW Caddy Fuel Door Lock Failure, Fix Options & Costs

I had a similar issue with my 2015 VW Golf. As someone with some experience working on VWs, I can share what happened in my case. The electrical fault turned out to be a defective lock actuator in the fuel door mechanism. The release button stopped responding completely, and the fuel filler door would either stay stuck closed or rattle loose while driving. After checking basic things like fuses, I took it to my regular workshop. They diagnosed the problem as a broken linkage in the fuel door locking mechanism. The entire fuel door lock assembly needed replacement since individual parts werent available separately. The total repair cost was 210€, including parts and labor. The job took about 2 hours to complete since they had to remove some interior trim to access the mechanism. To help you better, could you share: Does the release button make any sound when pressed? Can you hear the lock actuator trying to work? Are there any other electrical issues besides the fuel door? Have you checked if the fuse is ok? This would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if its something different.

Thanks for the detailed response. Just had my 45000km service last month and theyve missed this issue entirely. Yes, I can hear a clicking sound when pressing the release button, but its much quieter than before. The electric actuator seems to be attempting to work but feels weak. No other electrical problems besides the fuel filler mechanism, and I already checked the fuse which is fine. After reading about your experience, it sounds very similar to my situation. The key fob central locking still works for all doors except the fuel door. Since the symptoms match, I will have the lock assembly checked and likely replaced. Good to know about the labor time and cost range to expect.

Thanks for the update on your Caddy's fuel door situation. Yes, that faint clicking sound from the release button is exactly what mine did before failing completely. Based on those symptoms and my experience, its almost certainly the same fuel flap actuator issue I had. The weakening sound from the electric actuator is a classic sign of impending failure in these units. The fact that your central locking works except for the fuel door further confirms its likely isolated to the fuel door mechanism itself. In my case, the actuator kept getting weaker until it stopped responding altogether. One tip from my repair, make sure they check the wiring connector to the fuel flap release unit while they are in there. Mine had some corrosion that needed cleaning, though the main issue was still the actuator itself. Since youre at 45000km, this is unfortunately a common wear point for these mechanisms. The good news is that once replaced, the new unit should last much longer since the newer parts are more robust. Would be interested to hear what you find once you get it checked out, as it would help confirm if these fuel door problems are a common failure point at this mileage.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice on my Caddy fuel door issue. Just got back from the workshop and wanted to update with what happened. You were spot on, it was indeed the fuel flap actuator that failed. The cable release system was fine, but the electrical components in the lock assembly had worn out. The technician showed me the old unit and there was visible wear on the actuator contacts. The total repair came to 235€, slightly more than expected because they found the wiring harness needed minor repairs too. The replacement took about 2.5 hours since they had to remove several trim pieces to access the mechanism properly. The release button now works perfectly, strong click sound and the fuel door pops open immediately. No more awkward moments at the fuel station trying to force it open. For anyone else having similar issues, if your fuel door makes weak clicking sounds and doesnt open properly, get it checked sooner rather than later. Waiting too long could cause additional damage to the mechanism or wiring. Really appreciate all the advice that helped diagnose this correctly the first time.