Audi’s Issuing The First Of 8 Diesel Recalls In Germany This Week

The dust is beginning to settle on the Dieselgate scandal that has rocked the Volkswagen Group and the industry as a whole. But it won’t be put to rest until the vehicles affected have been recalled to have their cheat devices removed. And that’s just what Audi is now preparing to do.

With approval from the German Federal Office of Motor Traffic (known locally as the KBA), Audi is issuing the first of eight planned recalls for diesels-powered models that are expected to cover some 151,000 vehicles in Germany alone.

The first wave will see 31,200 examples of the A6 and A7 from the 2015-2018 model years and powered by the 3.0-liter TDI called in to local dealers. The recall is deemed mandatory, but Audi says it “will not adversely affect fuel consumption, CO2 emission figures, engine output, maximum torque, noise emissions or the durability of the engine and the exhaust aftertreatment system.”

“Our commitment is and remains to deal with the diesel crisis consistently and fully,” says Bernd Martens, head of Audi’s internal task force for dealing with the diesel crisis. “After detailed technical analyses we can now offer specific solutions to fully meet the technical requirements of the Federal Office for Motor Traffic. That way we aim to strengthen our customers’ trust.”

Following this first recall to be issued tomorrow (on Wednesday), Ingolstadt will await KBA approval to begin the seven remaining recall campaigns for the other 120,000 or so diesel-powered Audis that will need to be called in before it can put the matter behind it and move on.