Local News

U.S. Sues Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi For Cheating On Emissions Tests

January 4, 2016 / 1:24 PM PST / CBS San Francisco

DETROIT(CBS SF) -- The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil complaint against Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi for violating the Clean Air Act.

The complaint comes several months after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency first charged the automakers with rigging emissions tests on hundreds of thousands of 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel models in the U.S. and millions more worldwide. The EPA added 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines from Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen to the list of vehicles in violation. Audi and Porsche are owned by Volkswagen AG.

The complaint filed Monday in a Detroit federal court alleges nearly 600,000 vehicles had illegal devices installed that ultimately resulted in "harmful air pollution."

The complaint also accuses Volkswagen with importing vehicles into the U.S. that were different from what they stated on applications for certification to EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

"Today's complaint is the first stage in bringing Volkswagen to justice for failing to disclose the defeat device while seeking certification for its diesel vehicles from EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality in Ann Arbor, Michigan," said U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade for the Eastern District of Michigan in a statement. "The alleged misrepresentations allowed almost 600,000 diesel engines to emit excessive air pollution across the country, harming our health and cheating consumers."

The filing seeks "injunctive relief and the assessment of civil penalties."

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: