Volkswagen Emission Scandal: TDI Diesel Engines Recalled

Volkswagen’s new CEO recently announced that the company, which has been involved with a widespread emissions testing scandal, will recall VW and Audi TDI diesel vehicles beginning in January.

According to their current action plan, all vehicle emissions issues will be fixed by the end of 2016.

A total of 11 million VW vehicles had been manufactured to cheat on their emissions tests, which allows the cars to appear to use “clean diesel” technologies, when in reality the Volkswagen diesel cars emit dangerous levels of toxic emissions. E

ssentially, the cars were programmed to function using “clean diesel” levels of emissions during testing scenarios, but when actually used on the road, reverted to their normal state of toxic emissions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encouraged Volkswagen to recall half a million TDI diesel vehicles last month. Volkswagen is a German company, and has told German media that its software updates and vehicle repairs would be complete by the end of next year.

However, the announcement did not make it clear whether or not the timeframe for these repairs and updates would also apply to Volkswagen vehicles sold in the U.S. The EPA’s emissions standards are more strict, and so fixing the vehicles to conform to these standards may be more complicated or take even more time.

Volkswagen Emissions Scandal

The EPA issued a notice of violation of the Clear Air Act against VW and Audi on September 18. The notice claimed that certain Volkswagen vehicles had “defeat devices” which were used to cheat emissions testing, placing the vehicles into a “clean emissions” mode that would revert to a standard, highly pollutant mode after testing was over.

In the standard mode, vehicles emitted pollution at rates as much as 40 times higher than that allowed by EPA standards.

Despite the fact that their “clean emissions” test was a sham, VW promoted these vehicles as better for the environment than other options.

Volkswagen is not denying the emissions problem, and in fact has admitted to their involvement once accusations became apparent.

As a result of the emissions scandal, the EPA reports that Volkswagen may be forced to pay up to $18 billion in fines. After the cheating scandal came to light, several of Volkswagen’s higher-ups, including its CEO, were either fired or voluntarily stepped down.

The Volkswagen emission scandal has not only caused major fines and corporate drama, but has been problematic for the face of the company as well. While the company has previously been awarded honors for being eco-friendly, they have since been forced to return these awards.

Volkswagen’s stock values have taken a drastic hit, and resale values of these cars have dropped dramatically.

Volkswagen Emissions Lawsuits

Some disappointed Volkswagen customers have responded to this new information by filing Volkswagen emissions lawsuits, alleging that the popular vehicle company deceived the public.

Plaintiffs involved in these lawsuits claim that not only did Volkswagen engage in deceptive and fraudulent practices, but also essentially tricked customers out of money, paying for features that were not really there.

A number of plaintiffs have requested that similar Volkswagen lawsuits nationwide be consolidated as part of a multidistrict litigation, or MDL.

If you or someone you know has purchased a Volkswagen vehicle claiming to follow “clean emissions” standards, your car may be part of the Volkswagen emissions scandal. You may be able to file an individual Volkswagen emissions lawsuit, or join a class action lawsuit.

UPDATE: On June 28, 2016, Volkswagen reached proposed settlements with both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission following the VW emissions scandal. VW’s deal with the DOJ includes up to $14.7 billion along with vehicle buyback provisions as well as funding for pollution control programs. In addition to the DOJ settlement, Volkswagen will also spend up to $10 billion in a buyback and lease termination settlement with the FTC that is expected to include about 475,000 vehicles.

UPDATE 2: The Volkswagen, Audi diesel emissions class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim!