Audi Q5 Diesel Still Emits Excess NOx After VW Recall Fix
Independent tests on the Audi Q5 show nitrogen oxide emissions remain 25 percent above legal limits even after Volkswagen's official diesel fix, raising questions about the recall's effectiveness.
Tests commissioned by the Italian consumer group Altroconsumo have found that the Audi Q5 2.0-litre diesel continues to emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at levels 25 percent above legal limits, despite having received Volkswagen’s official recall fix for the diesel emissions scandal.
The results, published by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC), challenge Volkswagen’s claim that its technical solution for affected vehicles brings emissions into compliance. The Q5 tested had undergone the approved update intended to remove illegal defeat device software. However, according to BEUC, the fix did not sufficiently reduce NOx output under real-world conditions.
Consumer groups demand further scrutiny
BEUC has called for the German regulator Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), which approved the fix, and other national authorities to urgently re-examine the effectiveness of the repairs on affected vehicles. BEUC's director said the findings undermine Volkswagen’s position that European customers do not need compensation, as the company has argued that its recall makes vehicles compliant with EU standards, unlike the situation in the US, where buybacks and compensation were required.
Volkswagen has previously stated that the European and American cases are not comparable, maintaining that the technical updates for European cars are sufficient to meet regulations. The latest test results cast doubt on that assertion, at least for the Q5, and have prompted renewed calls for compensation for European owners.
Recall progress and regulatory response
Volkswagen’s recall programme, covering around 8.5 million cars in Europe, has been delayed in part because KBA and other regulators required additional checks before approving fixes. The BEUC findings suggest that the rush to approve Volkswagen’s solution may have left unresolved emissions problems in some models.
The ongoing scrutiny of Volkswagen’s technical solution could affect the pace of the recall and the company’s relations with both regulators and consumers. For Audi Q5 owners, the test results raise concerns about whether their vehicles are truly compliant after the update, and whether further action or compensation could follow.
For more on Audi’s recent models and emissions issues, see2015 Frankfurt Motor Show Live 2016 Audi A4 Avant 2 0T Quattro.
