On July 27, 2017, EPA and the California Air Resources Board approved an emissions modification proposed by Volkswagen (VW) that will reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from model year 2009 – 2014 diesel Jetta, Golf, Beetle, and Audi A3 vehicles.

With the approval, VW will offer owners of these vehicles the choice to keep and fix their car, or to have it bought back. To obtain this approval, VW submitted test data and technical information that demonstrates that the modification will reduce emissions without negatively affecting vehicle reliability or durability. VW will thoroughly identify any differences in vehicle attributes (such as fuel economy) so owners may make an informed choice.

The approval means that VW can notify customers that the emissions modification is available and begin performing the modification at its dealerships. The approved modification involves both software and hardware changes. VW will remove the defeat device software that reduced emission control effectiveness in all but emissions testing circumstances, and replace it with software that directs the emission controls to function effectively in all typical vehicle operations. VW will also replace the NOx catalyst and, for 2009 models, certain other emission control system hardware.

• Approved Emissions Modification: Test Groups 9VWXV02.035N, 9VWXV02.0USN, A VWXV02.0USN, BVWXV02.0USN, CVWXV02.0USN, DVWXV02.0USN, and EVWXV02.0USN of the 2.0 Liter Subject Vehicles (PDF)(5 pp, 909 K, July 27, 2017)