California Lemon Law News + Info

Volkswagen Installs Emissions Defeat Devices in Diesel Vehicles, Violates Consumer Rights

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


Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2019–Present vehicle models only.

However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.

To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.

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