Volkswagen AG
On 18 September 2015 the US EPA issued a notice of violation alleging that Volkswagen installed software in 2.0 liter diesel cars that defeated emissions controlsS1. A second notice on 2 November 2015 covered 3.0 liter modelsS1. Volkswagen first denied the 3.0 liter allegationS4, then told the EPA on 19 November 2015 that the device had existed in those models since 2009S1. In January 2017 Volkswagen agreed to plead guilty to three felony counts and pay a US$2.8 billion criminal penaltyS2. The company was sentenced in April 2017S3. In Germany, the Braunschweig court convicted four former managers in May 2025S5 and paused the case against the former chief executive in July 2025S6.
- Also known as
- Volkswagen, VW, Volkswagen Group
- Headquarters
- Germany
- Records from
- United States, Germany
- Current status
- Operating carmaker. Volkswagen AG pleaded guilty in the United States on 10 March 2017 and was sentenced on 21 April 2017 to a US$2.8 billion criminal penalty, three years of probation and an independent monitorS3.
Scope. This record covers the diesel emissions matter in the United States and the criminal trial of former managers in Braunschweig. It does not cover Porsche SE investor suits or other national consumer cases.
Claims assessed
3 claims. Scores grade the evidence for each claim, not the organization.- Supported97The US EPA alleged in a notice of violation dated 18 September 2015 that Volkswagen installed software in model year 2009 to 2015 2.0 liter diesel cars to defeat emissions controls.Regulator statement, 18 September 20152 records citedProduct claims
- Contradicted88Volkswagen AG said in November 2015 that no software had been installed in its 3.0 liter V6 diesel engines to alter emissions in a forbidden manner.Company statement, 3 November 20152 records citedProduct claims
- Supported67An AFP report said a German court in Braunschweig convicted four former Volkswagen managers over the diesel emissions scandal on 26 May 2025.Press report, 26 May 20254 records citedFraud
Cases and proceedings
- United States v. Volkswagen AGUS District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Criminal. 2:16-cr-20394.Stage: Sentenced. Final.
- Public prosecutor v. four former Volkswagen managersLandgericht Braunschweig (Braunschweig Regional Court). Criminal. Not published.Stage: First instance verdicts on 26 May 2025. Appeal status unverified as of October 2026.
Responses on record
- Volkswagen AG, 3 November 2015, on Volkswagen AG said in November 2015 that no software had been installed in its 3.0 liter V...
Volkswagen said no software had been installed in the V6 diesel units to alter emissions in a forbidden manner.S4
Revision history
- Profile and 3 assessments first published. Records checked to 25 October 2026.
Source records
- S3Tier A Volkswagen Diesel Engine Vehicle Matters, case updatesUS Department of Justice, Criminal Division. Regulator press release. Last updated 27 September 2023.Supports the case number, plea date and sentence. It has no entry on the end of probation or the monitorship.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S5Tier C 4 former Volkswagen managers convicted in 'dieselgate' emissions-cheating scandalAFP via Fortune. Press report. 26 May 2025.Reports the Braunschweig verdicts and that they could be appealed. It does not report later appeal outcomes.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S6Tier C Prozess gegen Ex-VW-Chef Winterkorn vorerst eingestelltZDFheute. Press report. 1 July 2025.Reports the provisional halt of the case against the former chief executive for ill health. It does not report on the four managers' appeals.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S4Tier C Volkswagen in Germany denies new EPA charges on Audi, Porsche V-6 softwareGreen Car Reports via The Christian Science Monitor. Press report. 3 November 2015.Report by John Voelcker quoting Volkswagen's denial. It records the company position, not the facts.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S1Tier A Learn About Volkswagen ViolationsUS Environmental Protection Agency. Regulator press release. Last updated 10 June 2026.Records both notices of violation and Volkswagen's 19 November 2015 admission on 3.0 liter models. It does not quote a company admission of wrongdoing.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S2Tier A Volkswagen AG Agrees to Plead Guilty and Pay $4.3 Billion in Criminal and Civil PenaltiesUS Department of Justice. Regulator press release. 11 January 2017.Supports the plea agreement, counts and penalties. It refers to the 3.0 liter cars only in the civil settlement context.Link working, checked 25 October 2026
- S7Tier C Neues Großverfahren im VW-Dieselskandal startet im Novemberbeck-aktuell (Verlag C.H. Beck), with dpa. Press report. 29 October 2025.Legal news report with dpa input. It confirms the May verdicts and the halted case against the former chief executive. It does not state whether the verdicts are final.Link working, checked 25 October 2026