WASHINGTON — The California Air Resources Board today ordered Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen to recall and repair “illegal” emissions software in more than 15,000 vehicles with 3.0-liter diesel engines sold in the state since 2009, the regulator said in a statement.
The order was prompted by Audi’s admission this week that its 3.0-liter diesels sold since the 2009 model year contained three “auxiliary emissions control devices” that regulate emissions performance that weren’t properly disclosed to regulators. One of the three was deemed by regulators to be an illegal “defeat device” designed to fool emissions testers.
The 3.0-liter recall order covers between 15,000 and 16,000 vehicles sold in California from the 2009-15 model years, out of around 85,000 sold nationwide.
CARB’s order starts the clock on the second U.S. recall to stem from Volkswagen’s emissions scandal. The VW Group has 45 business days to draft and submit its 3.0-liter diesel recall plan to CARB.
Last Friday, VW submitted to U.S. regulators a recall plan for 482,000 vehicles with 2.0-liter diesel engines containing software that VW admitted installing to skirt U.S. emissions tests.
Audi appeared already to be moving towards a recall for the 3.0-liter models. On Monday, the luxury brand said in a statement that it would revise the software in question and submit new applications for U.S. government emission certification. Once approved, it would provide the updated software to owners.
An Audi USA spokesman said a statement was being prepared by the VW brand.
