Volkswagen cleared to recall diesel engines

German brand confirms dieselgate repairs for popular models

04 December 2016 Andrew Maclean

Volkswagen has been given clearance to repair most of the remaining diesel cars affected by its emission scandal Photo: Mark Bean

The floodgates have been open to repair more than 60,000 Volkswagens still caught up in the diesel emission scandal in Australia.

The local arm of the German car maker has finally been given clearance by the federal government to extend the voluntary recall of vehicles fitted with the EA189 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine beyond the 9000 Amarok utes that were first announced earlier this year.

That amounts to approximately 61,000 Volkswagen models, including the popular Golf hatchback and wagon, Passat family car, the previous-generation Tiguan SUV, EOS convertible and born-again Beetle, as well as related variants from sister brand Skoda such as the Octavia and Superb.

Volkswagen Australia says the software upgrade, which removes the controversial program designed to cheat an emission test on a rolling road that is specific to the US and replaces it with new engine control parameters that have no effect on the performance, fuel economy or harmful exhaust outputs, is immediately available for 35,000 vehicles in Australia with the remainder to be rectified within months.

The company will contact all owners of affected vehicles to notify them of the process, which will be carried out free of charge and should take no longer than one hour at a Volkswagen dealership.

"Major progress has been made in this process," said Volkswagen Group Australia's Managing Director, Michael Bartsch.

"Our confidence in this solution is based on the experience of thousands of Amarok owners in Australia and more than 1.7 million customers internationally who have had the update implemented. The type approval authorities in Europe conducted a review and certified that following the update, the fuel figures and Co2 emissions originally listed by the manufacturer were confirmed. Engine performance, maximum torque and noise emissions were unaffected."

Any owners that are still unsure if their vehicle is involved in the recall procedure can enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) via a link on the relevant brand websites (www.volkswagen.com.au, www.skoda.com.au and www.volkswagen-commercial.com.au) or contact a dedicated customer line on 1800 504 076.

While Volkswagen has been given clearance to fit the software upgrade to vehicles powered by the 2.0-litre engine, it has still be given the go-ahead for the remaining models fitted with a 1.6-litre turbo engine that not only requires the software but also a small hardware change. It expects to have this completed early in 2017.

For more information visit our Volkswagen showroom page

Drive Comments

10 Comments

DJM61 | 2016-12-04 23:01:03

If the new engine control parameters that have no effect on the performance, fuel economy or harmful exhaust outputs then why weren't the cars sold like this and why was it felt necessary to cheat?

CarGuy DJM61 | 2016-12-04 23:55:32

The cheat software was needed apparently in the US market particularly. Australia (at the time) had less strict emissions requirements and I believe that the cars here pass the Australian requirements with or without the cheat. The software, once developed was used in all cars built for all worldwide markets.

Dale | 2016-12-04 23:44:55

If you own a Jeep Patriot 2009 some were fitted with the VW diesel so they should come under the recall. So cheek this out with your VW dealer as Jeep are not very interested.

Mr Majestyk | 2016-12-05 00:34:32

Indeed, VW cannot be believed and I wouldn't take my car in for the fix if I had one.

ibstltr | 2016-12-05 01:28:00

Surely Volkswagen will be giving a financial incentive as customers will have to spend an hour waiting for the service techs to reprogram the cars, plus their travel time and fuel costs, plus the lost time incurred. Or maybe they feel it is easier to simply bribe Fairfax journalists who then don't ask these obvious questions.

Brendan | 2016-12-05 03:26:17

DJM61, The existing software automatically detects when an engine emission test is taking place and adjusts the engine parameters to give results that are better than those for normal driving. Normal driving is not affected as it doesn't adjust the engine parameters then. This is why performance will be unaffected for drivers. But they need to remove this illegal part of the engine software.

LarryO | 2016-12-05 04:12:05

New engine control parameters that have no effect on the performance, fuel economy or harmful exhaust outputs ... this statement from a company with SUCH credibility! Why should the public believe that statement?

sad vw | 2016-12-05 04:36:54

What about recalling the 2010/2011 Golf 118TSi which has the 1.4Litre engine? This major defect in the pistons on these engines has been swept under the carpet by VW. Google VW engine problems and learn the truth. Owners have had to pay $10,000 + for engine repairs and VW will not compensate them.

Taxidriver | 2016-12-05 07:31:24

Those preoccupied with (German) badges and (semblance of) prestige will continue to line the pockets of this most unethical and dishonest manufacturer.

Peter Calman | 2016-12-05 22:02:11

DJM61: IMO, that sentence is poorly written. What it tried to say was that the rogue program cheated the emission test by replacing it (the genuine test) with new engine control parameters that in itself wont affect performance etc etc. Maybe better could have been used in instead of new.