Volkswagen to Recall 8.5 Million Diesel Cars Across Europe After Emissions Scandal
The KBA has ordered Volkswagen to recall 8.5 million vehicles fitted with EA 189 diesel engines in Europe, as the company responds to the fallout from the diesel emissions scandal.
Volkswagen will recall 8.5 million vehicles across Europe following an order from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), as the company moves to address the diesel emissions scandal that surfaced in September 2015. The recall affects vehicles fitted with the EA 189 diesel engine, produced by Volkswagen and its group brands Audi, SEAT and Skoda.
The KBA’s decision made the recall mandatory for all affected cars in the European Union. Of the 8.5 million vehicles, approximately 2.4 million are registered in Germany. Volkswagen will contact owners directly, with repairs scheduled to start in January 2016. All work, including software updates or mechanical changes, will be carried out free of charge.
Scope of the recall
The recall covers cars equipped with the EA 189 four-cylinder diesel engine, which was found to contain software designed to manipulate emissions test results. Vehicles from model years 2009 to 2015 are affected, spanning a wide range of body styles and sizes. The order applies to both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles across Volkswagen Group brands.
- Volkswagen: Polo, Golf, Passat and others
- Audi: A1, A3, A4, A6, TT, Q3, Q5
- SEAT: Ibiza, Leon, Altea, Exeo
- Skoda: Fabia, Octavia, Superb, Yeti
The company has stated that all owners will be notified, but those who do not receive a letter are advised to contact their dealer. The process will follow standard recall procedures, with the aim of bringing all affected vehicles into compliance with EU emissions regulations.
Impact and next steps for owners
Volkswagen’s recall comes amid a sharp drop in the group’s European sales and growing scrutiny from regulators and consumers. The company faces pressure not only to fix the cars but also to restore trust among buyers and dealers. Owners are not expected to bear any costs for the recall work, and Volkswagen has committed to resolving the issue as quickly as possible.
The dieselgate scandal has already affected Volkswagen’s market share in Europe. For more on the company’s recent sales performance, seeVolkswagen Market Share Slips in Europe After Dieselgate.
