Background: emission defeat devices found in Volkswagen diesel vehicles

On September 18, 2015 the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued a notice of violation to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG and Volkswagen Group of America for manufacturing and installing “defeat devices” in some models of diesel light-duty vehicles (2009-2015).

According to the notice of violation, the Volkswagen “defeat device” is onboard software designed to bypass, defeat, or render inoperative, elements of the vehicle’s emission control system that exist to comply with Clean Air Act emissions standards.

The “defeat device” turned off specific emissions control systems while the vehicle was operating in on-road conditions, resulting in nitrogen oxide emissions that exceed compliance standards.

Volkswagen has admitted responsibility for installing the defeat mechanism globally and has suspended sale of the subject vehicles in Canada.

Affected diesel vehicles

The following vehicles equipped with 2.0 Litre, 4 Cylinder TDI diesel engines are affected:

  • Jetta (Model Year [MY] 2009–2015)
  • Jetta Sportwagen (MY 2009–2014)
  • Beetle (MY 2013–2015)
  • Beetle Convertible (MY 2013–2015)
  • Audi A3 (MY 2010–2015)
  • Golf (MY 2010–2015)
  • Golf Sportwagen (MY 2015)
  • Passat (MY 2012–2015)

The following vehicles equipped with 3.0 Litre, 6 Cylinder TDI Diesel engines are affected:

  • Touareg (MY 2009–2016)
  • Porsche Cayenne (MY 2013-2016)
  • Audi A6 Quattro (MY 2014-2016)
  • Audi A7 Quattro (MY 2014-2016)
  • Audi A8 and A8L (MY 2014-2016)
  • Audi Q5 (MY 2014-2016)
  • Audi Q7 (MY 2009-2016)

I own an affected Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche

The province is requiring Volkswagen Canada, Audi Canada and Porsche Canada to remedy the situation as soon as possible by providing a plan setting out actions to fix affected vehicles in Ontario. Please contact your dealer, Volkswagen, Porsche or Audi Canada for more information.

The province is also investigating Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi’s actions to sell to its dealers and consumers vehicles with the “defeat devices” installed.

Once Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi have resolved this situation

It is recommended that an affected vehicle get the necessary software or hardware repairs, upgrades or replacements as soon as possible once a fix is announced to reduce emissions.