Guide to the Volkswagen Emissions Recall

Volkswagen is accused of—and has admitted to—circumventing the emissions control system in about 482,000 vehicles sold in the United States since 2008 with the 2.0-liter diesel engine. As many as 11 million vehicles worldwide may be affected.

In mid-September, the EPA issued a notice of violation to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America (collectively VW) for failure to comply with Clean Air Act regulations. The agency determined that certain Volkswagen and Audi models have been emitting more pollutants than legally acceptable, leaving in their wake potential environmental and health implications.

Since the announcement, investigators have worked to learn how the illegal strategy came about, while the EPA has sought to close loopholes and ferret out any other potential cheaters.

On the corporate side, executives have been terminated and shuffled, stock values have plummeted, and hands were wrung—but few details have emerged about the tactical decision to willingly cheat the government, customers, and the environment.

Meanwhile, consumers have been left with many unanswered questions. This fast-moving situation promises new drama and eventual recalls. For now, here’s what we know so far.

Impacted Models

• Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen (2009-2015)

• Volkswagen Beetle, Beetle Convertible (2012-2015)

• Audi A3 (2010-2015)

• Volkswagen Golf (2010-2015)

• Volkswagen Passat (2012-2015)

• Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (2015)

What is the Concern About Volkswagen Emissions?

Federal clean-air standards are configured to become increasingly stringent over time, with clear steps when new, tighter requirements must be achieved for legal new-car sales.

The rules are in place to improve air quality for both long-term environmental and health benefits. Although the cited Volkswagen models can meet the standards in a laboratory test, thanks to a sophisticated software algorithm that distinguishes testing from real-world driving, these vehicles were found to emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at up to 40 times the standard when driven normally.

NOx contributes to ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. According to the EPA, “Exposure to these pollutants has been linked with a range of serious health effects, including increased asthma attacks and other respiratory illnesses that can be serious enough to send people to the hospital. Exposure to ozone and particulate matter have also been associated with premature death due to respiratory-related or cardiovascular-related effects. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory disease are particularly at risk for health effects of these pollutants.”

How Will This Affect Current Owners?

For now, the cars are safe and legal to drive. No action is needed by today’s drivers.

There will be a recall to bring the existing models up to regulations. The fixes will likely be software updates for the newest models. Pre-2015 cars are expected to need additional components installed—which may mean it takes longer to develop and deploy the solution.

Can I Still Buy a New Volkswagen Diesel?

Yes, but not a model with the 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine. The Touareg TDI, with a 3.0-liter diesel engine, is still available. Audi still offers the A6, A7, A8 L, Q5, and Q7 with the 3.0L engine.

The EPA has not approved vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter engine for the 2016 model year. Existing 2015 models at dealerships are subject to a stop-sale, meaning, they are not available for purchase.

Can I Make VW Buy Back My Car?

Not likely. We anticipate that Volkswagen will fix the affected vehicles, bringing them into compliance with regulations. However, it is possible that to do so may bring compromises in fuel economy, performance, and/or reliability. There already are multiple class-action lawsuits against Volkswagen that will try to gain monetary compensation for “diminution of value” (aka depreciation) of owners’ cars.

When Will There be a Recall?

This process is leading up to a recall to bring the affected cars into conformity with emissions regulations. When issued, the recall will come from Volkswagen, and the repairs will be performed at no cost to owners.
The EPA will validate the fixes to ensure they work, with an eye to potential compromises. Consumer Reports has three VW diesels in our test fleet, and once the recalls are performed, we will re-evaluate their fuel efficiency and performance.

It is expected that a software fix can readily bring 2015 models into line. However, VW might need some time to determine a proper solution for older models, which have different diesel-emissions systems.

A company spokesman told us, “We are working with the relevant authorities to identify a remedy.” In other words, stay tuned.

What Is Consumer Reports’ Position on 'Dieselgate'?

Volkswagen lied to us. Its 11 million "clean diesel" cars have been polluting the air at up to 40 times the federal standard for years.

Worse: They installed technology to hide the problem from emissions tests.

The company is being punished by the markets. But that doesn't compensate either its customers or the rest of us, and it doesn't stop this from happening again.

Consumer Reports' President and CEO Marta L. Tellado, Ph.D., put it this way, "We need to make certain that the consequences for deceiving the public are severe, and that they bring justice to those who have been harmed." (Also read "Will Volkswagen's Penalty Be High Enough?" by Marta L. Tellado on CNN.com)

Consumer Reports has put together a four point test by which to judge Volkswagen’s response.

How Do VW’s Actions Affect Consumer Reports’ Recommendations of VW and Audi?

Based on the EPA notice of violation against Volkswagen for circumventing emissions testing guidelines, Consumer Reports has suspended its “recommended” Rating of two tested VW vehicles: the Jetta diesel and Passat diesel. These recommendations will be suspended until Consumer Reports can re-test these vehicles with a recall repair performed. Once the emissions systems are functioning properly, we will assess whether the repair has adversely affected performance or fuel economy.

What Will the EPA Do Now?

The EPA announced it will conduct sample tests on all diesel passenger car models to be sold for the new model year. Plus, the agency will add new tests to detect so-called "defeat devices" that can bend the rules in an automaker’s favor; Volkswagen admitted to using software to serve this purpose, putting the cars in a special mode just for government emissions testing, then switching to an alternative programming for driving in the real world. The EPA will not release details on how it will seek possible cheaters, but it has notified all manufacturers of the general changes to its test program.

The agency is actively collecting diesel cars from consumers and rental fleets to augment models culled from manufacturers. These cars will be put through a battery of tests.

The EPA says the investigation into Volkswagen’s actions is ongoing. When asked to speculate as to the penalties the German automaker might face, an EPA official says that the potential fine could be as much as $37,500 per vehicle, or $18 billion.

Will My Volkswagen Fail Emissions Tests?

Not likely. The so-called “defeat device” in the car is designed to make the car pass tests. The EPA has not seen a pattern of Volkswagens failing traditional inspection and maintenance emissions tests.

Should I No Longer Consider a Diesel Car?

Diesel cars and trucks typically deliver excellent fuel economy, and they provide power that can create an urgency to acceleration and/or aid towing large trailers. The Volkswagen scandal shines a negative light on diesels, especially concerning their emissions. However, the real lessons here are that an automaker cheated the system and that meeting increasingly stringent clean emissions standards is tough. But it is possible.

In addition, the diesel’s advantage may be diminished due to traditional gasoline-fueled cars making significant gains, the proliferation of hybrids, and the currently low price of regular fuel.

Best advice for shoppers: Cast a wide net when starting your new-car research, considering all options and engine types, as you winnow the list down by focusing on road test performance, safety, reliability, packaging, and other factors that matter most to you.

How Dirty Are the Volkswagen Cars?

The EPA estimated that the cheating VW diesels polluted at up to 40 times the emissions standards for nitrogen oxides – a pollutant connected with respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms and diseases.

However, that estimate was measured under maximum vehicle load and throttle. Under normal operating conditions, the emissions were more in the range of 10 to 20 times over the federal limit.

How Do I Voice My Concerns?

There are multiple outlets, starting with the commenting feature below. Further, VW owners are encouraged to comment on Consumer Reports stories platform.

You also can send a letter to the company, and you can contact the EPA.

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