Volkswagen has received permission from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) in Germany for the modification of models with the 1.6-litre EA 189 TDI engine.
The technical solutions for 2.6 vehicles with EA 189 1.6-litre TDI engines have been approved by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Implementation can therefore soon begin on the first of the vehicles of the third and final engine size.
The vehicle keepers will be notified in succession over the coming weeks. All affected customers can then book their vehicle in for the modification at an authorised workshop at a time of their choosing.
The modification in the case of the EA 189 1.6-litre TDI engines involves a software update. In addition, a so-called flow conditioner is being fixed directly upstream of the air mass meter. The implementation will take less than an hour of working time.
The KBA has said without qualification that the implementation of the technical solutions for these models causes no detrimental changes to fuel consumption levels, performance data or noise emissions.
The KBA had previously already affirmed this for all other models approved for the recall. After the modification, the vehicles also fulfil all statutory requirements and the duly applicable emissions standards.
The modification of vehicles with affected 2.0-litre TDI engines began back at the start of the year. The implementation of the technical solutions for affected models with EA 189 1.2-litre TDI engines is also under way.
With KBA approval now having been given for the final engine size group as well, work will shortly begin on the modification for vehicles with the affected EA 189 engine.
It is thus now possible to bring affected models with 1.2-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre TDI engines up to due standard.
Germany customers are being informed in a two-stage process. In stage one, all of the owners concerned were already notified this spring that their vehicle is affected by the modification programme through a letter agreed with the authorities.
As soon as the technical solutions for a model have been approved and are available, the customers are being asked in a second written communication to book their vehicle in with a partner business of their choice.
This communication has now been sent to the owners of vehicles with the 1.6-litre TDI engine as well.
Volkswagen is continuing to put every effort into implementing the technical solutions and will correct all vehicles affected by the NOx issue.
This is being done in close consultation with the relevant authorities. The customers will incur no costs as a result of the technical measures being carried out.
As part of the recall process all customers are also being offered an appropriate replacement means of transport free of charge.
The vehicles affected are technically safe and roadworthy. Between now and their modification, they can continue to be used on the road without any restrictions.
The required technical solutions are being implemented across Europe based on a schedule and action plan agreed with the KBA.
