23Q3 Customer le

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326




This notice applies to your vehicle: 
Subject: EPA & CARB Approved Emissions Modification 2015 Model Year Volkswagen 2.0L TDI
Emissions Recall 23Q3 – Emissions Modification
Dear Volkswagen Owner or Lessee,
As part of Volkswagen's settlements with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Attorney General’s Office (CAAG), the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) and Class Counsel, we are informing you that an emissions modification is now available
for 2015 model year 2.0L TDI (GEN 3) Volkswagen vehicles. Our records show that you are the owner or lessee of
a vehicle affected by this action. The emissions modification for your vehicle has been approved by the EPA and
CARB. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of that approval and provide you with information on how you can
take the next steps.
Please visit VWCourtSettlement.com for more information on this issue or contact us at 844-98-CLAIM.
What is the issue?
EPA and CARB have determined that Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a 2.0L 4cylinder TDI engine do not comply with applicable emissions regulations. The
emissions control systems on the vehicles allow emissions to exceed legal limits
during typical driving conditions.
What will we do as part of
this recall?
EPA and CARB have approved a two-part emissions modification plan. Phase 1, is
ready to start now. Phase 2 will become available in early 2018. Both parts of the plan
are necessary for the emissions modification to be effective, and vehicle owners who
choose the modification are expected to complete both phases. Volkswagen is also
required to offer a buyback of your vehicle or terminate your existing lease as an
alternative to the emissions modification, under settlement agreements reached with
the DOJ, EPA, CARB, CAAG, FTC and Class Counsel. It is your choice whether to
select the buyback/lease termination or the emissions modification. Please visit
VWCourtSettlement.com to learn more and to file a claim. For owners selecting the
emissions modification, eligibility, scheduling information, and details on logistics can
be found at www.vwcourtsettlement.com, or by calling 844-98-CLAIM.
Emissions Modification Phase 1: During the first part of the modification
Volkswagen will remove the software that reduced the effectiveness of your TDI’s
emission control system and replace it with software that directs your vehicle’s
emission controls to function effectively in all normal driving conditions.
23Q3_VW TDI USA
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Emissions Modification Phase 2 (available beginning in early 2018): The second
part of the emissions modification will involve outfitting your car with new emission
control parts to ensure system reliability and durability over time. We will install
updated emissions control system hardware - specifically a new Diesel Particulate
Filter, Diesel Oxidation Catalyst, and Selective Catalytic Reduction Converter - that is
needed to maintain emissions performance for the full useful life (150,000 miles) of
your vehicle. As part of the Phase 2 modification, we will also install a second NOx
sensor and corresponding software to improve the performance of the OBD system.
You will receive a notice when Phase 2 of the emissions modification is available for
your vehicle. You should expect to receive this notice before June 30, 2019. If your
vehicle has accumulated fewer than 40,000 miles (for automatic transmissions) or
70,000 miles (for manual transmissions) at the time of your Phase 2 update, your car
will need to have the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst replaced a second time before it
reaches 150,000 miles. We will notify you when it is time to bring your car in for the
second catalyst replacement.
We will extend the emissions control system warranty for certain components, as
described in this letter.
Will this affect my
vehicle performance?
Upon completion of Phase 1 of the emissions modification, other than as described in
this letter, customers should not notice any adverse changes in vehicle reliability,
durability, fuel economy, noise/vibration/harshness, vehicle performance (for
example, 0-60 mph time, top speed, etc.) or drivability. The software and hardware
modifications approved by EPA and CARB will change the way your car’s engine and
emissions control systems interact. This will affect technical functions under some
operating conditions, for example when the vehicle is started for the day. We do not
expect any significant changes in fuel consumption or driving characteristics.
The new software will affect your car in the following ways:
•
Engine sound may differ from your vehicle’s prior operation. Although unlikely, the
engine tone may vary slightly after the emissions modification is completed. This
will not result in any noticeable change in the driving characteristics of your
vehicle.
•
Update to the engine cooling fan operation that will allow your vehicle to cool
more efficiently and may alter the sound that the fan of your vehicle makes once
the engine has been turned off. This update is not related to the emissions issue,
and is addressed in the spirit of continued vehicle performance improvement.
•
Sport Mode Changes – While driving in Sport mode, the automatic transmission
will shift earlier at low accelerator positions for improved driving comfort which
results in a lower engine speed at constant driving
•
Improved Vehicle Drivability – Vehicles with automatic transmissions will exhibit
an improvement in throttle response and a smoother acceleration and improved
driving experience.
•
High Altitude Shift Patterns – For Golf Automatic Transmission vehicles, the
shifting behavior has been adapted to run with slightly higher engine speeds at
high altitudes.
•
On-board diagnostic (OBD) system changes – Your vehicle’s OBD system will be
modified and certain emission thresholds within the OBD system will be adjusted.
These thresholds set new malfunction detection limits that may be above what
inspection and maintenance regulators are familiar with and may reduce the
effectiveness of the OBD system in detecting malfunctions as a result of these
changes. We don’t expect you will have any issues with the ability of your vehicle
to pass the inspection and maintenance test. The extended warranty coverage
outlined in this booklet offers additional protection if your vehicle is still covered
under warranty at the time of inspection. These changes should not be noticeable
to a driver and do not impact driving characteristics.
The Phase 2 modification is expected to have no further impact on reliability,
durability, fuel economy, engine sound, vehicle performance, or drivability.
More information regarding the technical details of this update can be found at
VWCourtSettlement.com or vw.com.
23Q3_VW TDI USA
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Will this affect my
vehicle maintenance
intervals?
The new software will not affect oil change intervals, Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) cleaning, and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) ash loading as described in your
maintenance booklet.
However, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF, also known as AdBlue®) usage may increase.
The amount of increase will vary, depending on driving habits. Some drivers may
experience no change. Others will find their car uses 1%-14% more DEF on average
and requires more frequent DEF tank refills as a result.
We do not anticipate that the modification will affect the OBD system in a manner that
would make identification and repair of any components difficult, compromise
warranty coverage, or compromise your vehicle’s ability to comply with the inspection
and maintenance (Smog Check) test of your vehicle.
How will the
modification affect
emissions?
Two additional labels will be installed under the hood of the vehicle after the
modification is completed. The first label is an emissions modification completion label
and the second is the updated Vehicle Emissions Compliance Information (VECI)
label.
Your vehicle was originally certified to EPA and CARB emission standards. After the
modification, your vehicle’s emissions will be reduced but will still be higher than the
emission standard to which it was originally certified. The certified emissions
standards compared with the emission limits that apply to your vehicle after the
modification are shown in Exhibit 1.
Exhibit 1: Certification standards and respective emission limits applicable to your vehicle before and after the
Emission Modification in the Federal Test Procedure (FTP751))
Federal
Standard /
Emission limits in
grams/mile
NOx
(Nitrogen
oxides)
NMOG
(Non-methane
hydrocarbons)
CO
(Carbon
monoxide)
PM
(Particulate matter)
HCHO
(Formaldehyde)
Tier 2 Bin 5
0-150,000 miles
0.07
0.090
4.2
0.01
0.018
California and Section 177 states
Standard /
Emission limits in
grams/mile
NOx + NMOG
(Nitrogen oxides + Non-methane
hydrocarbons)
CO
(Carbon
monoxide)
PM
(Particulate matter)
HCHO
(Formaldehyde)
LEVIII ULEV125
0-150,000 miles
0.125
2.1
0.01
0.004
Emission limits applicable to your vehicle after the Emission Modification
Federal States, California and Section 177 States
Standard /
Emission limits in
grams/mile
NOx + NMOG
(Nitrogen oxides + Non-methane
hydrocarbons)
CO
(Carbon
monoxide)
PM
(Particulate matter)
HCHO
(Formaldehyde)
Automatic
Transmissions
0-150,000 miles
Manual
Transmissions
0-150,000 miles
0.160
4.2
0.01
0.018
0.190
4.2
0.01
0.018
1)
Additional limits apply for the Supplemental Federal Test Procedure (SFTP), the Highway test procedure and in the
Federal Test Procedure at high altitude
23Q3_VW TDI USA
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What are my options?
If you are eligible to participate in the settlements reached with the DOJ, EPA, CARB,
CAAG, FTC and Class Counsel, you have two options once you have submitted a
complete and valid claim under the settlements. You can keep your car, receive the
approved emissions modification as part of this recall and receive a cash payment.
Alternatively, you can choose to have Volkswagen buy back your car (or, if you’re a
lessee, terminate the lease early) and receive a cash payment.
The modification option, described here, enables an eligible consumer to keep his or
her vehicle, receive an approved emissions modification free of charge and an
additional restitution payment, calculated using two components: 1) a percentage of
the September 2015 NADA Used Car Guide Clean Trade including manufacturerinstalled options; and 2) a flat dollar amount. Vehicles receiving an approved
emissions modification will also receive an extended emissions warranty covering
the emissions system of the modified vehicle, which includes a Lemon Law-type
remedy to protect against the possibility that the modification causes subsequent
service problems.
To receive the approved emissions modification plus the cash payment, file a claim
on VWCourtSettlement.com. Once approved, you may schedule an appointment
at your preferred dealership. Your Volkswagen dealer will complete Phase 1 of the
modification in approximately an hour, and Phase 2 in approximately 9 hours. If either
phase will take longer than three hours, Volkswagen will provide you with a loaner
vehicle at zero cost to you.
The alternative buyback option enables an eligible consumer to return his or her
vehicle to Volkswagen and receive the buyback payment, which also includes two
components: 1) the vehicle return amount derived from the September 2015 NADA
Used Car Guide Clean Trade including manufacturer-installed options; plus 2)
additional restitution, which is the sum of a set percentage of the vehicle return
amount and a flat dollar amount.
For more information about the emissions modification, your options (including when
and how to visit a dealer), or to check eligibility and file a claim, please visit
VWCourtSettlement.com or contact us at 844-98-CLAIM.
IMPORTANT: If an affected vehicle receives an approved emissions modification
without participation in the Class Action Settlement, the buyback or early lease
termination option under the Class Action Settlement is no longer available.
Nonetheless, Eligible Owners and Lessees (as defined by the terms of the Class
Action Settlement Agreement) may still be able to receive a cash payment
associated with the modification. Please visit VWCourtSettlement.com for more
information.
For vehicles that do not receive the emissions modification, certain emissions-related
replacement and repair parts will no longer be available from Volkswagen.
Accordingly, in the future, if your unmodified vehicle requires maintenance and
repairs of the emissions system we may need to install parts associated with the
emissions modification, and in some cases, install all aspects of the emissions
modification. This may lead to changes to the vehicle’s operation or performance
resulting from those modifications discussed in this letter.
Warranty Extension for
Certain EmissionsRelated Components
23Q3_VW TDI USA
Once the updated emissions control system software has been installed in your
vehicle, Volkswagen will extend your Emissions Control Systems Warranty for
certain emissions-related components. The warranty period for the “Extended
Emissions Warranty” is the greater of:
•
11 years or 162,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s original
in- service date; OR
•
5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date and mileage
of Phase 1 of the emissions modification. At the time of the subsequent
Phase 2 modification, the extended warranty will be honored for 5 years or
60,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date and mileage of the
completion of Phase 2.
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The vehicle's original in-service date is defined as the date the vehicle was delivered
to either the original purchaser or the original lessee; or if the vehicle was first placed
in service as a "demonstrator" or "company" car, on the date such vehicle was first
placed in service.
The emissions control system warranty covers all components which are replaced
as part of the emissions modification and any component which can reasonably be
impacted by effects of the emissions modification.
The emissions system warranty shall cover the following parts or systems:
•
The entire exhaust after treatment system, including the Diesel Oxidation
Catalyst, the Diesel Particulate Filter, the Selective Catalytic Reduction
converter, the dosing injector and other Diesel Exhaust Fluid system
components, the exhaust flap, and all sensors and actuators;
•
The entire fuel system, including fuel pumps, high pressure fuel rail, fuel
injectors, vibration damper, pressure control valve and all sensors and
actuators;
•
The EGR system, including EGR valves, EGR cooler, EGR filter, EGR
temperature sensor, all related hoses and pipes, and all sensors and
actuators;
•
The turbocharger, including the turbocharger damper; and
•
The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system, including SCR DEF quality
sensor, and any malfunctions detected by the OBD systems other than
those related to the transmission.
Additionally, the engine long block warranty shall cover the engine sub-assembly
that consists of the assembled block, crankshaft, cylinder head, camshaft, and valve
train.
In our continuing efforts to assure proper performance of Volkswagen vehicles, your
dealer will diagnose and replace the emissions-related components listed in this
section, if necessary, at no cost to you as long as the vehicle remains within the time
and mileage limits of this warranty extension. Please keep this letter with your
warranty booklet and deliver it to any new owner, along with the owner’s manual.
This warranty extension covers only the diagnosis and replacement of the emissionsrelated components listed in this section. Should you ever sell the vehicle, this
warranty extension is fully transferable to subsequent owners.
This warranty extension will not cover:
•
Any damage or malfunctions caused by installation of non-EPA or nonCARB certified emissions related parts, including such damage or
malfunction to parts needed for proper diagnosis of a covered part.
•
Damage or malfunctions caused by outside influence, such as damage due
to an accident, or vehicle misuse or neglect.
All normal warranty provisions remain in effect. The extended emissions warranty
includes parts, labor, and applicable taxes. The extended emissions warranty shall
not void or supersede any existing warranty. Conflicts concerning the warranty are
to be resolved in favor of the consumer.
If the vehicle has been modified by the customer prior to receiving the emissions
modification in a manner that may yield a non-compliant emissions system (for
example, removal of a catalyst, installation of parts that impact emissions or
emissions- related parts, or modifications to the ECU or computer software of the
vehicle), Volkswagen may not be able to perform the emissions modification until the
customer corrects such modification.
More information about your extended emissions warranty coverage is available at
www.vwdiesellookup.com.
23Q3_VW TDI USA
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What should you do?
Please review the materials on VWCourtSettlement.com to understand what
benefits may be available to you under settlements associated with this vehicle.
Information there will allow you to determine your eligibility for Class Action benefits
and if eligible, instructions on how to file a claim. You can also direct questions to the
Settlement Support Team at 844-98-CLAIM. If you choose to receive a modification,
the modification will be performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer.
Instructions on how to schedule those appointments can be can be found at
VWCourtSettlement.com.
Lease vehicles and
address changes
If you are not the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action,
please forward this letter immediately via first-class mail to the lessee or registered
owner within ten (10) days of receipt. If you have changed your address or sold the
vehicle, please fill out the enclosed prepaid Owner Reply card and mail it to us so
we can update our records.
Can we assist you
further?
If you have any questions regarding this notice or the settlements associated with
the referenced vehicle please visit VWCourtSettlement.com or contact Volkswagen
at 844-98-CLAIM.
Checking your vehicle
for open Recalls and
Service Campaigns
To check your vehicle’s eligibility for repair under this or any other recall/service
campaign, please click on the Look Up Recalls link at vw.com or
VWCourtSettlement.com and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into
the Recall/Service Campaign Lookup tool.
23Q3_VW TDI USA
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