What VW's Diesel Emissions Scandal Means for Owners

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Author
Scott McCracken
Tagged
#exhaust #lawsuit #settlement
Emissions cloud coming out of a tailpipe

Shortly after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) forced Volkswagen to recall 500,000 vehicles in the USA, VW admitted they had used the device on 11 million vehicles worldwide. And an additional 800,000 vehicles were discovered to have poorer fuel economy because of higher than reported CO2 levels.

So how did one of the world’s largest automakers get away with cheating on such a massive scale? And can it ever win back its customers?

Why Did VW Cheat on Emissions? ∞

Back in 2008 when the US implemented tougher emissions standards for cars, companies with diesel engines had to come up with solutions. For all the benefits of diesel engines — like fuel efficiency and power — it has one, big fat negative: they run dirty.

To meet the new regulations, many car companies started adding tanks of a urea-based solution — known as AdBlue – to their vehicles. Thanks the magic of chemistry, the ammonia in AdBlue helps the catalytic converter take nasty gasses like nitrous oxide (NOx) and convert them into nitrogen and water.

Why is this important? NOx – which sounds like a really bad 80’s band name – has been linked to emphysema and bronchitis, as well as being a leading cause of smog. It’s estimated that some urea-based solutions can reduce NOx emissions by 80%.

How VW Setup Their TDIs ∞

On its smaller, 2.0L four-cylinder diesel engines, VW skipped the AdBlue (they do use urea injection on some newer models). Instead they installed a NOx trap which sits between the engine and the exhaust.

But in order for the trap to work, the engine needs to use more fuel. That left critics wondering what magical technology VW had come up with. Well, it turns out they didn’t come up with anything. They were just cheating.

The "Defeat Device" ∞

Software running in the car’s engine control module (ECM) monitors the car’s steering wheel position, speed, duration of engine operation and barometric pressure. This “defeat device” then uses those factors to determine when the car is being driven normally (aka “drive mode”) and when it was being inspected for emissions output (aka “cheat mode”).

While in “cheat mode,” the software activates equipment to reduce the car’s emissions levels. As soon as testing is over, it’s back to dirty driving.

Just how much of a difference are we talking about here? Early reports indicate that emissions levels in “drive mode” are 40 times higher than the EPA limits. That’s a lot of smog.

“Compared with other run-ins between the EPA and automakers, VW’s alleged violation stands out in its brazenness.” — Automotive News

Why VW Cheated ∞

As mentioned above, diesel engines are fuel efficient but tend to run dirty. Automakers have spent millions of dollars researching and testing solutions to reduce emissions while maintaining some of their MPGs.

VW couldn’t find a solution – or didn’t want to try – that they were happy with, so they went a more sinister route. The answer as to why they did it is pretty simple: money. Less money spent researching, and more money earned through sales.

The real questions are:

  • How far up the VW food chain did this cheating decision go?
  • How much in fines and class-action payouts will this ultimately cost the company?
  • Will VW be able to salvage some customer trust when this is all said and done?

Who Figured it Out? ∞

How’s this for karma – the problem was discovered during independent testing that wanted to show how clean VW’s TDIs are.

No, really.

It was all part of a campaign to show consumers that diesel engines are an eco-friendly option. Oops.

“We had no cause for suspicion,” German, U.S. co-lead of the International Council on Clean Transportation, said in an interview. “We thought the vehicles would be clean.”

The Timeline

  • Peter Mock, European managing director of a clean-air group, wanted help testing VW’s diesel engines to show European consumers that diesels can run clean.
  • Mock asked for help from John German, the former environmental chief for Honda’s U.S. operations, who now runs independent testing.
  • German asked for help from West Virginia University’s Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions because they had the right equipment for proper testing. Most notably, a portable emission measurement system that can be shoved up an exhaust pipe for real world testing.
  • Testers from German’s group drove monitor-equipped TDIs from San Diego to Seattle (which is an awesome gig by the way, free drive up the Pacific Coast Highway? Yes please!) The 1,300 mile trip through varying conditions would expose any potential scheme in the VWs.
  • The tests revealed that on the open road, the test Jetta exceeded the US nitrogen oxide emissions standard by 15 to 35 times. The test Passat was 5 to 20 times higher than the standard. Another car, the BMW X5, passed the test.
  • An investigation was opened by the EPA in May 2014.
  • While under investigation, VW said it identified the problem and proposed a fix that resulted in the recall of nearly 500,000 US vehicles in December 2014.
  • The California Air Resources Board continued to test VWs after the recall and found that NOx levels were still in violation, despite VW’s “fix.” CARB shared those findings with VW and the EPA on July 8, 2015. At the same time, they threatened to withhold certificates that effectively halt VW diesel sales in California. The EPA agreed and said they wouldn’t approve the cars for sale without an explanation for the “real world” discrepancies.
  • VW allegedly kept giving regulators false explanations, none of which satisfied the EPA or CARB.
  • In September, 2015, while facing the threat of not being able to sell any 2016 TDIs, VW admitted it had installed a “defeat device.”

The "Dieselgate" Fall-Out ∞

Once the news broke of VW's actions, the story was really just beginning.

Here come the lawsuits. ∞

In November 2015, VW announced an EA 189 Diesel fix in Europe. The solution involves a "flow straightener" in front of the air mass sensor to help "calm swirled air" and increase the sensor's accuracy. But the fix didn't meet the US's stricter emissions laws and VW knows it. "Flow straighteners ain't gonna cut it here". By the following month, there were 450 lawsuits (and counting) and a bruised public image that needed mending.

That's Your Solution? ∞

In January 2016, VW proposed a solution to U.S. regulators. It was promptly shot down because it "contained gaps and sufficient detail," and does "not adequately address overall impacts on vehicle performance, emissions, and safety." Ouch, tell us how you really feel. Meanwhile CEO Matthias Mueller decided to make no friends by telling NPR that VW didn't lie, they just didn't understand the question. He later blamed his answer on stress. Oh, a redo? I bet some VW owners would like one of those on their car purchase, Mr Mueller.

Executive Roundup ∞

In January 2017, Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt was visiting Florida and the feds decided to pay him a visit. They even brought him a shiny pair of bracelets as a gift. Meanwhile VW plead guilty in their diesel case. The automaker agreed to pay $4.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties for their part in selling "clean diesels" that were actually quite dirty.

Former CEO Martin Winterkorn said he "couldn't remember" when he first learned about the cheating. How convenient. An the compliance chief that VW brought in to help clean up the mess called it quits. She jumped on the Titanic as it was sinking, took one look around, and used a persona lifeboat to get get out of there as soon as possible.

VW officially became felons in the United States by pleading guilty to 3 felonies related to emissions. The judge wants more time to make sure the settlement fits the "serious nature" of the crimes.

In Germany, both VW's HQ and Audi's HQ were searched for evidence that executives knew about the emissions scheme for nearly a decade.

Information for VW and Audi Diesel Owners ∞

If you own one of these “clean diesel” cars, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

  • Right now there isn’t one, but a recall is surely on the horizon. VW is blatantly violating federal law so it’s only a matter of time. To make sure you don’t miss any information about the recall, sign up for CarComplaints.com’s free email alerts so we can notify of you of any new information.
  • These cars came with a premium price, and you deserve reimbursement. Girrard Gibbs LLP has started a class-action lawsuit for consumers who bought into VW’s false hype. We will soon have a form where you can contact Girrad Gibbs to take part in the class action.
  • It’s important to note that there is no safety concern so you can keep driving your car until VW comes up with a real solution (unless you suffer from a respiratory disease). You’re just not being as good to the environment as VW led you to believe.
  • Want to trade in your car for a new one? That could get tricky. Right now VW dealers are not allowed to sell any new or used TDIs that have been named in this scandal. That means they likely will not want to take yours. At least not yet, so sit tight.

VW's "Goodwill Package" ∞

Volkswagen set up a "goodwill package" for certain owners and lessees in the US. The package included:

  • A $500 prepaid Visa gift card that can be used on anything
  • A $500 prepaid card that can be used at VW dealerships.

But, wait --- there's more! If you call now the automaker is also throwing in free 240hour roadside assistance for three years.

Why You Should Read the Fine Print ∞

Lawyers of plaintiffs in over 350 lawsuits have serious questions about the cardholder agreement owners need to sign when accepting the goodwill package. Specifically, will it waive the right to sue or take part of a class action against VW later on?

Volkswagen said it will provide a $500 prepaid Visa gift cars to certain US owners and lessees as part of a "goodwill package"

Insultingly Inadequate ∞

On top of the legal remifications, two US senators called the offer "insultingly inadequate." The senators said if the company really wanted to spread goodwill, they'd offer a buy-back option and do it without taking away the owner's right to sue.

A Settlement for 2-Liter USA Consumers ∞

On April 21, 2016, Volkswagen reached a broad agreement to with the United States government. The agreement gives nearly half a million VW diesel owners the chance to sell back their cars with "defeat devices."

The agreement falls short of a borader settlement that will eventually include fines, and additional compensation for owners.

Details and final figures are still being negotiated.

Kelly Blue Book estimated the cost of buying back all affected cars in the USA would cost $7 billion.

U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer says owners will receive additional compensation. Exact numbers are unknown, but Judge Breyer calls it "substantial." The judge had expressed dissatisfaction that the cars were still on the road emitting illegal levels of pollution seven months after the cheating became public.

Volkswagen will offset some of the environmental damage it caused by investing in clean technology. Judge Breyer says the agreement "will fully address any excess emissions and environmental consequences."

Owners of 480,000 Volkswahens and Audi A3 models with 2-liter engines will have the option of getting their cars fixed for free so they're compliant with EPA regulations, or sell them back to VW. Either way, it sounds like owners will receive additional compensation.

Owners of about 100,000 3-liter diesel engies, including Audi and Porsche, don't have an agreement yet.

Volkswagen is far from out of the woods. There's still official investigations, criminal proceedings in other countries, and a large number of lawsuits to contend with. Breyer is presiding over hundreds of class-action lawsuits filed against Volkswagen, which also faces possible fines and penalties levied by the EPA, the air resources board and other regulators.

(VW is recalling cars in Europe to reprogram the engine software, and in some cases install a plastic part to lower emissions, but those owners will not receive any financial compensation.)

The Department of Justice Said:

“this agreement in principle addresses one important aspect of the department’s pending case against VW, namely what to do about the 2-liter diesel cars on the road and the environmental consequences resulting from their excess emissions.”

Breyer gave the German automaker until June 21 to file the specifics of its plan.

A Settlement for 3-Liter USA Consumers ∞

In early February, 2017, VW released a settlement update for 83,000 Audi, Porsche, and VW vehicles with 3-liter TDI engines.

For VW owners, the settlement focuses on the 2009–2016 Toureg 3-iter TDI. But what year you own makes a big difference in what you'll receive.

Owners of certain 2009-2012 Touraeg TDIs, have a decision to make. Volkswagen is offering a buyback offer between $26,000 to $58,000 (depending on model year and mileage). Want to keep your vehicle? You can bypass the buyback, wait for VW's fix, and receive up to $15,380 as compensation for your troubles.

Even previous owners will be eligible for payments ranging from $4,627 to $7,747.

Owners of 2013-2016 Touraeg TDIs will have their vehicles repaired, pending environmental regulator approval. Once the fix is in place, owners and lessees can expect compensation ranging from $8,539 to $17,614.

Current lessees will also be given the option to terminate their lease without any penalty.

The settlement was approved by a federal judge in May 2017.

Generations Where This Problem Has Been Reported

This problem has popped up in the following Volkswagen generations.

Most years within a generation share the same parts and manufacturing process. You can also expect them to share the same problems. So while it may not be a problem in every year yet, it's worth looking out for.

Further Reading

A timeline of stories related to this problem. We try to boil these stories down to the most important bits so you can quickly see where things stand. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts for your vehicle over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. When Volkswagen agreed to a multi-district settlement for selling polluting engines marketed as clean diesel, it did so knowing it’d have to pay billions of dollars to customers that owned or leased an affected vehicle when the news about the scandal broke.

    Some owners that had sold their affected vehicles before the news came out tried to file for compensation in court, but didn't get very far. That may be about to change due to an interesting court decision in California.

    Former owners and lessees of Volkswagen "clean diesel" vehicles can proceed with their lawsuit even though the customers got rid of their diesel vehicles before anyone knew the emissions systems were illegal.

    Volkswagen, as you might image, is less than impressed with this decision.

    Volkswagen says the case is nothing more than trial attorneys trying to suck more money out of the automaker that has already paid more than $25 billion for its emissions sins.

    keep reading article "Judge's Decision May Open to the Door to New Diesel-Scandal Claims"

  2. Like many diesel vehicle owners, Allen and Jennifer Pickard chose to keep their two Passats as part of Volkswagen's $10-billion diesel emissions settlement.

    The agreement came with compensation contingent upon the exhaust system being modified to meet EPA standards. And sure, every owner knew that likely meant a knock to engine performance or fuel economy. But I doubt anyone expected this...

    According to court documents, both Passats have been in the custody of an authorized Volkswagen mechanic for months because the emissions repairs caused both cars to not start.

    The plaintiffs claim numerous attempts made by VW technicians have failed to fix the no-start problems, so the owners tried to trade in one of the Passats. The lawsuit alleges they were told a trade wasn't possible because the car was worth $0 since it couldn't be started.

    Needless to say the couple is … let’s call it, “unimpressed” with VW’s “fix” and has filed a lawsuit against the automaker.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says the VW Emissions “Fix” Has Disabled the Car Entirely "

  3. A new group of diesel owners are seeking “clean diesel” compensation from Volkswagen.

    The owners had not been covered by previous diesel settlements because they had sold or traded in the cars before dieselgate became public knowledge. From CarComplaints.com:

    Volkswagen told the judge those former owners and lessees are attempting to pry money out of the automaker's pockets even though the former owners didn't lose anything. When they sold or traded their diesel vehicles, or ended the lease agreements, the transactions occurred before the emissions scandal was known.

    The lawsuit boils down to economic harm. VW says the cars were sold at a value determined before anyone knew they spewed 40x the legal limit of NOx emissions, so dieselgate had no affect. The owners say they paid a premium for an eco-friendly car and should be compensated accordingly.

    Now a judge will decide if this case is a money grab.

    keep reading article "VW Says New Lawsuit Represents Group Unaffected by the “Clean Diesel” Scandal"

  5. South Korea's Ministry of Environment is upset that Volkswagen sent 2,500 diesel vehicles after a sales ban had been ordered by the government.

    The cars, which had been kept at port, were deemed illegal due to their emissions output.

    Now South Korea's government has a trade proposal for Volkswagen – they'll send the vehicles back, and in exchange VW can serve up some executive heads on a platter. I'm guessing there will be some negotiation.

    "The deportation of the diesel vehicles comes as South Korean prosecutors try to nail VW executives to the wall for alleged violations of clear air laws. Johannes Thammer, Park Dong-hoon and Trevor Hill say they did nothing wrong and were caught up in the emission scandal without warning."

    The three executives have been accused of setting up an illegal scheme to import 120,000 dirty diesels into South Korea between 2008 and 2015. Volkswagen thinks the country is being ridiculous and will appeal its $32 million fine.

    keep reading article "South Korea Wants to Trade Illegal Cars for VW Executives"

  6. Last week a federal judge granted final approval on a $1.22 billion settlement to fix or buy back 80,000 3.0-liter diesel vehicles in the US.

    Poor Volkswagen. Oh, don't get me wrong – I don't feel bad for them. I just mean they must be poor by now with all these settlements.

    The settlement was announced back in December 2016]. Owners who opt to get their engines fixed can expect compensation between $7,000 and $16,000.

    A Bosch Settlement Too ∞

    In addition, the judge approved a $327.5 million settlement for Bosch for its role in developing the engines.

    Bosch has denied any wrong-doing, but the company undeniably supplied VW with the defeat device software which was then used to cheat emissions on millions of 2-liter "clean diesel" engines.

    Prosecutors have previously tried to determine if Bosch intentionally conspired with VW, which is a claim Bosch says is "wild and unfounded."

    keep reading article "Judge Approves VW 3.0-liter and Bosch Diesel Settlements"

  7. Volkswagen has been sentenced to 3-years probation by a federal court.

    ...Volkswagen was nailed with felony counts for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and consumers, engaging in wire fraud, violating the federal Clean Air Act, obstruction of justice and for importing merchandise by means of false statements.

    Maybe next time they'll think twice before defrauding customers and shredding thousands of documents during an open investigation (ok, probably not).

    For the next 3 years, the automaker will be under the watchful eye of Former Deputy U.S. Attorney General Larry D. Thompson and his team of experts in corporate monitoring.

    keep reading article "Probation and Babysitters, How the Emissions Scheme Keeps Costing VW"

  8. Volkswagen's German headquarters have been raided by German authorities in an ongoing fraud investigation over the diesel emissions scandal.

    Audi's HQ was also searched.

    VW's executives have had a ...ahem... hazy memory when it comes to details on when they first learned about the "defeat device" installed in their diesel cars. U.S. prosecutors think they knew about the emissions scheme for nearly a decade, and the raid was in search of evidence to prove it.

    One executive has already been arrested and five others indicted.

    keep reading article "Volkswagen HQ Raided in Fraud Investigation"

  9. VW is a felon in the United States. The automotive giant plead guilty to 3 felonies related to their diesel emissions case, but that's not the end of the story.

    As AutoNews.com reports, District Judge Sean Cox still wants more time to consider the settlement details...

    "[the] judge said at the end of an 70 minute hearing that he wanted more time to consider the settlement’s $4.3 billion in fines and other actions given the “serious nature” of the crimes."

    VW agreed to pay $4.3 billion in civil and criminal fines, but is it enough? Personally, I'm holding out hope for executive jail cells where the air is partially filtered through the tailpipe of a "clean diesel" VW TDI.

    keep reading article "VW Guilty Plea Waiting on Settlement Approval"

  10. Volkswagen has released a settlement update for 83,000 Audi, Porsche, and VW vehicles with TDI engines.

    And methinks most owners are going to be Scrooge McDuck levels of happy. Owners of the 2009-2012 VW Touareg 3.0L diesel have a decision to make.

    They can accept a buyback offer between $26,000 to $58,000 (depending on model year and mileage) or owners can keep their SUV, wait for VW's fix, and receive up to $15,380 as compensation for their troubles.

    Even previous owners will be eligible for payments ranging from $4,627 to $7,747.

    For owners of certain 2013-2016 Touareg TDIs, once VW gets the go-ahead from environmental regulators, they will fix the vehicles without offering any buybacks. However, once repaired, owners and lessees will get compensation ranging from $8,539 to $17,614.

    Current lessees will also be given the option to terminate their lease without any penalty.

    All this is to say that VW is paying through the nose for cheating on their diesel emissions. In total, more than $1 billion will be going back to consumers. And that number could grow significantly if they can't come up with an adequate fix.

    There's a breakdown of the details on CarComplaints.com.

    keep reading article "VW Releases 3.0L TDI Settlement Terms"

  11. VW's compliance chief is leaving her job at the end of the month, according to Reuters. Well, that didn't take long.

    The role was setup to bring integrity to the board during the height of the diesel emissions scandal. It was VW's way of saying "gee whiz, we'll be better in the future."

    But Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt says she's leaving "due to differences in their understanding of responsibilities and future operating structures within the function she leads."

    If you were expecting major changes at the top, this is basically the board's way of saying blow it out your tail-pipe.

    keep reading article "VW's Compliance Chief is Leaving. So Soon?"

  12. So when did Martin Winterkorn, the former CEO of Volkswagen, first learn about the whole diesel-emissions cheat?

    He can't remember, just that it was no earlier than what VW has already admitted to.

    I guess you could say his memory is hazy? (I'll see myself out). From Reuters:

    "Upon being asked whether he thought the diesel cheating could still be blamed on just a few engineers, Winterkorn acknowledged that more than a handful of staffers knew but said he did not know how many people were involved."
    "Asked why he himself had no earlier knowledge, Winterkorn said: "Software applications represent a very specific area of work in engine development."

    Is that very specific area usually filled with cheaters?

    keep reading article "Former VW CEO: I Don't Remember Anything"

  13. Volkswagen has plead guilty and agreed to pay $4.3 billion in civil and criminal penalties for their part in selling "clean diesels" that were actually quite dirty.

    VW will be on probation and will be watched by an independent monitor for three years.

    VW is charged with participating in a conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and VW customers and for violations of the Clean Air Act by lying and misleading the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. customers about the emissions systems. Volkswagen admits it spent years using sophisticated and illegal software to conceal nitrogen oxide emissions that are up to 40 times higher than allowed by law.

    In addition, six VW executives have been indicted by a federal grand jury and may soon join their buddy behind bars.

    keep reading article "VW Pleads Guilty in Diesel Case"

  14. Volkswagen executive Oliver Schmidt was visiting Florida, so the feds decided to pay him a visit.

    They even brought him a shiny pair of bracelets as a gift. Schmidt, 48, is a resident of Germany but was in Florida when the feds arrested and charged him with conspiracy, wire fraud and violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act.

    Mr. Schmidt is the second VW employee to be arrested for their role in the diesel emissions cheat and coverup.

    keep reading article "VW Executive Arrested in Florida"

  15. There's been a lot of talk about diesel buyouts and fixes lately.

    But one group that's been left out was what VW calls "Generation 3" diesel vehicles from the 2015 model year. But after 16 months of waiting, that's about to change:

    "Volkswagen finally received approval to fix certain 2-liter diesel vehicles to make their emissions systems legal, at least for about 67,000 of the 475,000 illegal 2-liter "clean diesel" vehicles."

    VW will remove the "defeat device" software and replace it with something a lot less cheat-y. Then sometime next year, VW will install new software in addition to a diesel particulate filter, diesel oxidation catalyst and a nitrogen oxide catalyst.

    keep reading article "Fix for 2015 2-Liter Diesels Approved"

  16. VW's diesel buyback program had some vague language about what condition the car had to be in to stay eligible.

    Basically, it had to be "operable." Does it run? Does it roll? Then you're good to go.

    So disgruntled owners started stripping off parts and selling them online before sending their cars in. And it worked ... for a while.

    According to CarComplaints.com, a judge is saying you jetta stop doing that:

    "U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer has [said] owners should think twice about altering their vehicles if they want VW to pay for the cars.

    OK, Judge Breyer didn't use the Jetta pun and it's such a wasted opportunity. The pins were setup, he just had to knock them down.

    keep reading article "Judge to VW Owners: You Jetta Not Do That"

  17. Volkswagen has agreed on a settlement for about 83,000 3-liter, V6 TDI owners in the United States.

    Under the proposed 3-liter diesel agreement, Volkswagen will be allowed to recall more than 75 percent of the illegal vehicles to fix them and bring them into compliance with emissions laws. The settlement agreement could mean another $1 billion loss for VW, adding to the $15 billion to be paid for illegal 2-liter vehicles.

    That means about 63,000 vehicles will be repaired and 20,000 will be bought back. As for what that fix will be? VW says ¯\–(ツ)_/¯

    keep reading article "Volkswagen 3-Liter Diesel Settlement Information"

  18. Our neighbors to the north tend to be a patient bunch, but you have to imagine Canadian VW diesel owners were starting to wonder when their settlement offer would come.

    Well, good news. Canadian owners will receive between $5,100 and $8,000 in compensation along with a few options. Any eligible owner can choose to trade their vehicle and apply its fair market value at that time towards the purchase of a new or used Volkswagen or Audi vehicle.

    Spread out over 105,000 vehicles, that equals about $2.1 billion CAD (Canadian dollars). The settlement needs to be approved and finalized by two courts.

    keep reading article "Oh, Canada! A VW Diesel Settlement Update"

  19. We all know Volkswagen is in plenty of hot water for their diesel emissions. Well, the FTC is turning up the heat.

    In its motion filed in a federal district court in San Francisco, the FTC says it saw red flags when 23 phones of important Volkswagen employees were determined to be lost or unable to be turned on. Federal investigators want to know what was on those 23 cell phones that relates to VW's admitted emissions cheating that was concealed by the automaker for years.

    If VW executives need some new cells, I hear there's plenty available inside federal prison.

    keep reading article "VW Employee Cell Phones Missing?"

  20. It's been well over a month since Volkswagen's historic $14.7 billon dollar diesel settlement which includes the option for owners to sell their cheatin' cars back to VW.

    So how are things going? Meh, according to a firm appointed by the court to monitor the settlement's progress.

    Many owners have complained about long telephone hold times and missed deadlines. Some, in snowier climates, are ticked off they had to pay to put on snow tires while waiting for VW to get its act together.

    Yes, this is an unprecedented deal. And sure, there's a lot of moving parts. But as Jalopnik.com points out, it's not like VW couldn't see this coming.

    You can review the settlement details on our site.

    And if you haven't yet, I'd also encourage you to visit VWcourtsettlement.com or call 1-844-98-CLAIM to schedule appointments with claim specialists.

    keep reading article "What is Going on with the VW Diesel Settlement?"

  22. A German newspaper says Volkswagen has been cheating again. This time using unapproved software on its 3-liter diesels. Oh, wunderbar.

    The programs are allegedly used to shut off nitrogen oxide emissions controls after 22 minutes, about two minutes longer than the 20 minutes it takes to perform a typical emissions test. If true, emissions regulators would see normal emissions levels on test machines, then after about 22 minutes the emissions levels will shoot up.

    The newspaper, Bild am Sonntag, doesn't say how they got their information but did say the software was discovered on Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg vehicles equipped with turbocharged direct injection (TDI) 3-liter engines.

    keep reading article "VW Caught Cheating Again?"

  23. Hey emission-wagön owners, VW has setup a special website just for you.

    Volkswagen says owners will eventually be able to learn more about the settlement terms and determine how much compensation is available by visiting VWCourtSettlement.com.

    "Owners can always opt out of the settlement if they want to hire an attorney and tackle Volkswagen in court. As part of the preliminary settlement, owners will receive official notifications concerning their rights and available options, but the final settlement approval won't occur until October 18, 2016."

    The whole thing is rather complex. There are a good amount of details available now, but those could change up until the final settlement. VW promised to have the final calculations automated on VWCourtSettlement.com by the end of the month.

    keep reading article "There's Finally A Website for Diesel Settlement Details"

  24. The settlement details for VW diesel customers in the USA is here and you know what? It actually looks pretty good.

    The agreement involves 500,000 2-liter engines that VW called "clean diesels" but turned out to be NOx spewing polluters. The full details are available here, but here's some cliff notes:

    1. Volkswagen will offer to buy back the affected diesels using their pre-scandal NADA book value (September 2015)
    2. Owners can sell their cars back or keep them and wait for an EPA approved fix
    3. Whether you sell it or keep it, VW will compensate owners somewhere between $5000-$10000 for their trouble
    4. Lessees will have the option of terminating their lease without penalty

    So far there is no word on what the fix will be for these vehicles or how that'll affect MPG or performance. Owners of the following are eligible for compensation:

    475,000 2.0-liter diesel cars including the 2013-2015 Beetle, 2010-2015 Golf, 2009-2015 Jetta, and 2012-2015 Passat, along with the Audi A3 between 2010-2013 and 2015. All in the USA.

    keep reading article "VW Close to Agreement to Buy Back Diesels and Compensate Owners"

  25. Volkswagen says they've made "tremendous progress" towards reaching a final settlement with U.S. officials concerning diesel emissions in vehicles with 2-liter engines.

    After months of waiting, any news at all feels like tremendous progress.

    VW will present a final plan to a judge during their court date on June 21, 2016. The plan should include information on fixes, settlements, and potential buyback options.

    German officials have given VW the green light to repair cars with the 2-liter diesel 189 engine. Volkswagen says the fix is a "retrofit" and it will make the cars legal to drive without affecting performance or MPGs. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come in the USA.

    3-Liter Owners Continue to Wait ∞

    Meanwhile, owners of 80,000 Audi, Porsche, and VW vehicles with 3-liter NOx-spewing engines will still have to wait for a fix. The 3-liter cars have the same problem as their 2-liter counterparts, but the root cause --- and thus the fix --- are completely different.

    There's plenty more information about the VW diesel emissions problem for those who want to dive deeper.

    keep reading article "A VW Emissions Fix is Finally Close for USA Customers"

  26. Speaking before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, VW CEO Michael Horn said U.S. vehicles wouldn't start being fixed until 2016 and it will take many years to repair all 500,000 affected vehicles.

    Horn said it could take between 5 to 10 hours of labor for each of the 500,000 vehicles affected in the USA. And if that wasn’t enough, the cost of the repairs might end up being higher than the vehicle’s worth.

    To sum up: repairs could take years, cost lots of money, and reduce the horsepower and gas mileage of the repaired car.

    “Mr. Horn told committee members Volkswagen would consider a buy-back program for all affected vehicles. It's estimated that based on current values, the cost for such a program could reach $7 billion just for the Volkswagen vehicles on U.S. roads.”

    VW is just hemorrhaging money at this point.

    keep reading article "Fixing Each of the Cheating Volkswagen Diesels Could Take Years"

  27. Want to sue Volkswagen for cheating on emissions? Get in line.

    At least 70 Volkswagen lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. alone, with the latest VW emissions lawsuit coming from … Harris County, Texas, alleging VW vehicles have harmed residents to the tune of $100 million.

    Employees are being suspended and the board of directors held a seven hour discussion on investigating the issue. The automaker is coming apart at the seams.

    keep reading article "The VW Emissions Lawsuits Keep Rolling In"

  28. Volkswagen desperately wanted to be the largest automaker in the world, and they did it.

    But in the process they deceived customers into paying a premium for “clean diesel” vehicles, intentionally committees fraud by skirting emissions regulations, and negligently poisoned the planet by producing NOx levels up to 40x higher than what was allowed.

    “Saying Canada depends heavily on what the EPA does in the U.S., every VW car in the U.S. had to pass emissions testing to receive a "certificate of conformity," something Canadian authorities watched for in allowing cars to be sold in that country. The diesel cars did receive certificates to be sold, but only because VW was cheating the system by using defeat devices.”

    Hope it was worth it.

    keep reading article "Oh, Canada! VW Owners North of the Border Sue the Automaker for $1 Billion"

  29. Investigations are popping up across the globe to learn what damage has been done by VW, and the automaker says it has set aside over $7.3 billion to handle the crisis.

    However, Volkswagen says that might not be enough due to the massive number of vehicles potentially involved.

    What started as 500,000 vehicles in the USA has quickly ballooned to 11 million vehicles worldwide. The total cost of the fines, repairs, and lawsuit settlements are going to be astronomical. To the point where only setting aside $7 billion seems rather optimistic.

    Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said that he is "endlessly sorry" shortly before resigning. He just rammed his ship headlong into an iceberg and took off with the only lifeboat.

    keep reading article "Volkswagen Sets Aside $7.3 Billion for Emissions Mess"

  30. Lawyers, Start Your Lawsuits.

    A VW diesel emissions lawsuit has been filed in California. Girard Gibbs LLP has filed a class-action lawsuit against VW in California, for deceiving customers into buying vehicles marketed as “clean diesel.”

    "Volkswagen promised consumers a car with power, high fuel economy, and low emissions—if they paid a few thousand dollars more for a Volkswagen “clean” diesel vehicle." - Attorney Andre M. Mura, Girard Gibbs LLP

    The vehicles named in the lawsuit are the 2009-2015 Volkswagen Jetta (including the Jetta Sportswagen); 2010-2015 Volkswagen Golf (including the Golf Sportswagen); 2010-2015 Audi A3; 2012-2015 Volkswagen Beetle (including the Beetle Convertible) and the 2012-2015 Volkswagen Passat.

    keep reading article "The First Class-Action Filed Against VW for It’s Not-So-Clean-Diesels"

  31. Volkswagen has been caught manipulating the emissions output of its diesel engines during lab testing.

    The EPA says the "defeat device" is sophisticated software on VW cars that detects when the car is going through official emissions testing. When the software recognizes an official test is underway, it turns on full emissions controls to make it appear the emission standards are within the rules. Once the official tests are completed, the emission controls are decreased during normal driving.

    The EPA estimates 482,000 diesel passenger cars are violating the Clean Air Act, an offense that can carry a penalty of $37,500 per vehicle. Holy $$$.

    The offending cars were sold in the USA starting in 2008 and include:

    • 2009–2015 VW Jetta
    • 2009–2015 VW Beetle
    • 2009–2015 Audi A3
    • 2009–2015 VW Golf
    • 2014–2015 VW Passat

    The government has temporarily blocked VW from selling any 2016 diesel inventory, and the automaker should expect a wave of fines and consumer blowback. This is going to get interesting.

    keep reading article "VW Busted by the EPA for Using 'Defeat Devices' to Manipulate Emissions Output"

OK, Now What?

Maybe you've experienced this problem. Maybe you're concerned you will soon. Whatever the reason, here's a handful of things you can do to make sure it gets the attention it deserves.

  1. File Your Complaint

    CarComplaints.com is a free site dedicated to uncovering problem trends and informing owners about potential issues with their cars. Major class action law firms use this data when researching cases.

    Add a Complaint

  2. Notify CAS

    The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is a pro-consumer organization that researches auto safety issues & often compels the US government to do the right thing through lobbying & lawsuits.

    Notify The CAS

  3. Report a Safety Concern

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the US agency with the authority to conduct vehicle defect investigations & force recalls. Their focus is on safety-related issues.

    Report to NHTSA