MICHIGAN
The federal government in a lawsuit filed Monday alleges that Volkwagen installed illegal devices in nearly 600,000 diesel engine vehicles, according to authorities.
The so-called defeat devices were designed to allow cars to emit pollutants at a higher rate while on the road and illegally pass air pollution emissions tests during testing, according to the lawsuit.
The defeat devices causes higher pollutant emissions that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA’s standards, resulting in harmful air pollution, authorities allege.
The U.S. Justice Department, on behalf of the EPA, filed the lawsuit in Detroit naming Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations LLC, Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America Inc.
The vehicles with the defective devices were imported and sold in the United States.
“Car manufacturers that fail to properly certify their cars and that defeat emission control systems breach the public trust, endanger public health and disadvantage competitors,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The United States will pursue all appropriate remedies against Volkswagen to redress the violations of our nation’s clean air laws alleged in the complaint.”
The Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to certify to EPA that their products will meet applicable federal emission standards to control air pollution. Motor vehicles equipped with illegal defeat devices cannot be certified.
The complaint alleges that Volkswagen equipped certain 2.0 liter vehicles with software that detects when the car is being tested for compliance with EPA emissions standards and turns on full emissions controls only during that testing process, according to authorities.
During normal driving situations the effectiveness of the emissions control devices is greatly reduced.
This results in cars emitting 40 times the oxides of nitrogen levels after the vehicles are tested and on the road, officials said.
In total, the complaint covers approximately 499,000 2.0 liter diesel vehicles sold in the United States since the 2009 model year.
The complaint further alleges that Volkswagen also equipped certain 3.0 liter vehicles with software that senses when the vehicle is undergoing federal emissions testing.
In total, the complaint covers approximately 85,000 3.0 liter diesel vehicles sold in the United States since the 2009 model year.
This air pollution contributes to harmful ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter. These pollutants are linked with asthma and other serious respiratory illnesses, officials allege.
Exposure to ozone and particulate matter is also associated with premature death due to respiratory-related or cardiovascular-related effects. Children, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory disease are particularly at risk of health effects from exposure to these pollutants.
Recent studies indicate that health effects of oxides of nitrogen are worse than previously understood, including respiratory problems, damage to lung tissue and premature death, the federal government claims.
The federal government’s investigation is ongoing.
Discussions are also ongoing with Volkswagen about potential remedies and recalls to address the noncompliance, officials said.
Affected 2.0 liter diesel models and model years include:
Jetta (2009-2015)
Jetta Sportwagen (2009-2014)
Beetle (2013-2015)
Beetle Convertible (2013-2015)
Audi A3 (2010-2015)
Golf (2010-2015)
Golf Sportwagen (2015)
Passat (2012-2015)
Affected 3.0 liter diesel models and model years include:
Volkswagen Touareg (2009-2016)
Porsche Cayenne (2013-2016)
Audi A6 Quattro (2014-2016)
Audi A7 Quattro (2014-2016)
Audi A8 (2014 – 2016)
Audi A8L (2014-2016)
Audi Q5 (2014-2016)
Audi Q7 (2009-2015)