Do you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 VW Passat TDI?

If you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 Passat 2.0L TDI and got the approved emissions modification, Volkswagen has identified a potential problem with the “fix” it installed on your car that needs your immediate attention. If you have one of those vehicles but haven’t gotten the modification, you must make an important decision very soon. You’ll be getting a detailed letter in the mail from VW about this, but in the meantime, here are some key facts.

In 2016 multiple government agencies and car owners sued Volkswagen, saying that the company installed “defeat devices” in 2.0L diesel cars that cheated on emissions testing. To settle the lawsuit, Volkswagen agreed to give car owners a choice: 1) VW would modify their cars to improve emissions, plus give them a cash payment; or 2) VW would buy back their cars.

If you got the engine modification for your 2012, 2013, or 2014 Passat 2.0L TDI, here’s what you need to know.

• There’s a problem with Volkswagen’s “fix” on 2012-2014 Passats with the modification. When driving at higher speeds – typically over 80 miles per hour for 15 minutes or longer – Passats with the modification may not inject enough diesel exhaust fluid. The 15-minute period doesn’t have to be continuous and may add up over multiple trips. If you continue to drive at that speed, your dashboard warning light may come on, letting you know your emission system is malfunctioning. Later you may hear a warning chime. At some point, once you stop your car, it might not restart.
• What should Passat owners do if the warning light comes on? If the warning light comes on, visit your Volkswagen dealer as soon as possible. VW will turn the light off for free. Until you visit the dealer, don’t drive over 80 miles per hour.
• What should Passat owners do if the warning light hasn’t come on? For now, don’t drive over 80 miles per hour.
• How does Volkswagen plan to address this problem? Volkswagen is working on a free software update and will notify owners when it’s ready. Once you get the notice from VW, you can call your dealer to make an appointment for the software update or you can get the update when you bring your Passat in for any kind of service. But until you get the software update, keep your speed to under 80 mph.

If you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 Passat 2.0L TDI but haven’t gotten the engine modification, here’s what you need to know.

• You can still choose a buyback or early lease termination, rather than a modification. Even if you thought you might get the modification, there’s still time to change your mind and get the buyback or early lease termination instead. Call 1‑844‑98‑CLAIM by the date in the letter you get from VW to select the buyback or early lease termination. If you decide you still want the modification, wait until you hear from Volkswagen that the software update is available to fix the problem Volkswagen has reported.

Here are answers to questions Passat owners may have.

• How can I get more information about the problem VW has reported with the engine modification? Call Volkswagen at 1-800-893-5298 or visit www.vw.com/contact.
• Will Volkswagen contact me directly? Yes. Watch your mail for a letter from Volkswagen. If you don’t get the letter within the next few days, call them at 1‑800‑893‑5298.
• Does the same problem happen to other 2.0L or 3.0L Volkswagens that have received the engine modification? Volkswagen reports that the problem only happens with 2012, 2013, and 2014 2.0L Passat TDIs that have the modification installed.
• How can I check if my VW is subject to this recall or any other recall? Visit www.vw.com/owners-recalls and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into the Recall/Service Campaign Lookup Tool.