In 2015, Volkswagen was found guilty of violating the Clean Air Act by installing a defeat device in 580,000 diesel vehicles in the United States — and roughly 10.5 million additional vehicles worldwide — to disguise the true levels of emissions these vehicles release into the air.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), these “defeat devices” allow diesel cars to pass federal emissions standards when tested in a laboratory setting. When these same cars drive on the road, the defeat devices shut off, allowing hazardous levels of NOx emissions to be released into the air.
The following diesel vehicles are affected:
- 2009–2015 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI
- 2010–2015 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L TDI
- 2010–2015 Audi A3 2.0L TDI
- 2012–2015 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0L TDI
- 2012–2015 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L TDI
- 2009–2015 Audi Q7 3.0L V6 TDI
- 2009–2016 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0L V6 TDI
- 2013–2016 Porsche Cayenne Diesel 3.0L V6
- 2014–2016 Audi A6 3.0L V6 TDI
- 2014–2016 Audi A7 3.0L V6 TDI
- 2014–2016 Audi A8 or Audi A8 L 3.0L V6 TDI
- 2014–2016 Audi Q5 3.0L V6 TDI
Volkswagen has faced international legal ramifications. As of now, Volkswagen’s total costs for their misdeeds have reached a total of $32.7 billion. This amount is subject to grow, as Volkswagen is still facing several more lawsuits.
For more information about the problems that plague Volkswagen cars, visit our Manufacturer page.
1. https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview
2. https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/16/business/volkswagen-audi-diesel-fine/index.html
Originally by Paula Quiroz
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