Germany Orders Volkswagen to Recall 2.4 Million Cars

Germany has told Volkswagen to recall 2.4 million diesel cars. The order came on Thursday. It is part of the big diesel scandal that hit VW a month ago.

What happened?

Volkswagen admitted last month that it used a special computer code. The code changed the way the car behaved during lab tests. It made the car look cleaner than it really was. The cheating affected about 11 million cars worldwide.

After the admission, the German transport ministry stepped in. Alexander Dobrindt, the transport minister, said the government would not accept VW’s repair plan. He ordered a full review of the 2.4 million cars that have diesel engines.

Why is a recall needed?

The German authority that checks cars is called the KBA (Kraftfahrt‑Bundesamt). The KBA says the part of the engine software that cheats is an illegal “defeat device.” A defeat device is a tool that hides real emissions.

The KBA wants the cheating code removed. It also wants VW to prove that the cars meet the emission limits when they are driven on real roads, not just in a lab.

What does the German authority demand?

The KBA set clear deadlines. A software fix for the 2.0‑liter engines must be ready before the end of the month. Answers for the 1.2‑liter and 1.6‑liter engines must be given before the end of November.

Dobrindt said he believes VW can do the technical work. He also said the recall will start at the beginning of 2016. The KBA will supervise the whole process.

The authority rejected VW’s earlier offer to fix the cars with a simple software update. For the 1.6‑liter engines, the KBA says hardware changes are also needed.

What does Volkswagen plan to do?

Volkswagen said it received the KBA’s response on Thursday. The company needs time to study the decision before it replies publicly.

VW’s offer, made a week earlier, was to redesign the software for 1.2‑liter and 2.0‑liter engines. The redesign would happen a year later. It would turn off the cheating code.

For the 1.6‑liter engines, VW said a software fix alone would not work. It would need extra hardware parts.

VW also announced a push toward electric cars. The German government wants one million electric cars on the road by 2020. Environment minister Barbara Hendricks said diesel tax cuts should be removed and replaced with incentives for electric vehicles.

Matthias Müller, the new CEO, will meet the top managers on Thursday. It is his first big meeting since he took over from Martin Winterkorn, who resigned a month ago and took responsibility for the scandal.

In China, VW said it would recall 1,950 diesel cars on Oct 12. China sells few diesel cars, and there was no sign that Chinese authorities ordered a recall.

How big is the problem worldwide?

Recent news shows the issue is not limited to Germany. Over 2.8 million Audi and Volkswagen vehicles face recall worldwide in 2026. In the United States, VW was ordered to recall 500,000 cars that hid pollution in 2015. Germany itself will recall almost 1 million cars in a later wave, according to a 2026 report.

These numbers show how large the diesel scandal has become. They also show why governments are demanding strong action.

FAQ

What is a defeat device?

A defeat device is a part of the car’s software that changes how the engine works during a test. It makes the car look cleaner than it really is when it is driven on the road.

Why did Volkswagen cheat?

VW wanted its diesel cars to meet strict emission limits in the lab. The cheat helped the cars pass the test and sell better.

How will the recall work?

Owners will be told to bring their cars to an authorized dealer. The dealer will install the new software and, if needed, replace hardware parts. The work will be done at no cost to the owner.

What about electric cars?

VW says it will make more electric models. The German government also wants to give tax breaks for electric cars and remove tax cuts for diesel cars.

Conclusion

The German government has taken a strong step. It ordered a recall of 2.4 million diesel cars. The KBA wants the cheating code removed and the cars to meet real‑world emission rules. Volkswagen must fix the software and, for some models, add new hardware. The recall is part of a larger worldwide effort to clean up the diesel scandal. VW’s move toward electric cars may help rebuild trust, but the recall will be a major test for the company in its most important market.