VW Diesel Recall Delayed in Germany

Volkswagen AG has suspended a recall in Germany to recalibrate diesel engines in 160,000 Passat sedans until regulators can confirm the fix doesn’t increase carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption, according to media reports.

The recall is part of VW’s plan to fix 11 million diesels it admits fitting with software that enables the engines to evade emission limits for nitrogen oxides. About 8.5 million of the affected vehicles are in Europe, including 2.5 million in Germany.

VW confirms the delay, telling Automotive News Europe the repaired vehicles must show no change in noise levels or CO₂. But a spokesman dismisses as speculation that regulators are checking fuel consumption, which is directly related to CO₂ emissions.

The tests are being conducted by KBA, Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. VW tells ANE the Passat repairs also were delayed by the agency's decision during the tests to use independent technicians instead of VW staffers.

Media reports say VW has successfully repaired 2.0-liter diesels in Amarok pickup trucks. The company’s next batch of repairs in Germany will involve 90,000 2.0-liter diesels in Audi and Skoda models.