Volvo has long since abandoned diesel engines and is focusing on hybrid and electric vehicles. But now the Swedish automaker is facing a legacy: Due to emissions manipulation, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has been pushing for a recall since 2023 and is now tightening its measures. What does this mean for affected customers?
Is Volvo finally facing a new emissions scandal after years, even though the major recall wave at manufacturers like VW, Audi, and Mercedes seemed to have long since concluded? The German Federal Motor Transport Authority confirmed to FOCUS Online that Volvo must recall around 1,700 XC60 models due to tampered emissions control systems. The KBA stated that the manufacturer has been instructed to contact each owner directly within the next two months. The affected vehicle type approvals were issued at the time by the Spanish type approval authority. This concerns the Volvo XC60 2.0 Diesel Euro 5 (Type D, 120 kW, front-wheel drive, first registered approximately March 2011 to April 2013).
The reason for the recall is an illegal defeat device discovered during market surveillance tests by the KBA. According to the authority, the vehicles' exhaust gas recirculation is reduced, which varies depending on the outside temperature. This reduces the effectiveness of the emissions control system with regard to nitrogen oxides, causing exhaust gas purification to function suboptimally for large parts of the year.
Volvo must recall manipulated diesel SUVs: KBA orders recall
Volvo is facing a recall dispute after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) retroactively invalidated the emissions control system approved by the authorities for many diesel vehicles. This follows calls from the environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which has long been pushing for the removal of millions of diesel cars from production. If this is implemented, affected vehicles could become worthless to their owners, as they would no longer be allowed to operate.
In the case of Volvo, the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has ordered the recall of diesel SUV models because it discovered illegal emissions manipulation. Although the decision against the automaker is not yet legally binding, the KBA has ordered the immediate implementation of the recall. A Volvo spokesperson confirmed to FOCUS online that affected vehicle owners will be contacted within the next two months. Volvo will then have another 16 months to remove the illegal emissions control system through software or other updates – similar to what was required in the diesel scandals of other manufacturers, such as Volkswagen.
Despite the recall, Volvo contradicts media reports predicting an impending driving ban for the affected vehicles. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is also unable to confirm a driving ban at this time. According to Volvo, vehicle owners do not need to take any further action at this time. The manufacturer also emphasizes that it cannot understand the KBA's legal reasoning and announced that it will take legal action against the decision.
Legal expert warns of comprehensive legal consequences for Volvo diesel
Markus Klamert, a lawyer specializing in emissions scandals, believes that the recall of Volvo diesel models will not be the final step in this case. "These vehicles should never have received type approval. They are illegal. Period." Klamert criticizes Volvo for allowing the hearing period granted to it to expire without correcting the defects, which he considers to be a deliberate act of turning a blind eye or a disregard for German and European vehicle registration law. The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) subsequently issued a binding recall notice, which represents the first step toward the permanent decommissioning of all affected vehicles.
Klamert refers to internal audits by the authority and claims that all Volvo diesel models are affected. According to his estimates, approximately 130,000 vehicles were illegally placed on the German market, which is why their operating permits are objectively invalid and their registration is therefore illegal. However, the KBA has so far only reported 1,700 affected vehicles.
FOCUS online legal expert Marco Rogert, who has successfully conducted numerous lawsuits in the emissions scandal, sees a potential wave of lawsuits looming against Volvo. "In the Volvo case, a worrying déjà vu could be looming: Software-based defeat devices that exhibit different emissions behavior in test bench operation than on the road are back on the table." Rogert warns that, if the suspicions are confirmed, the manufacturer faces significant liability risks, especially towards consumers who relied on Volvo's environmental promises. He points out that lawmakers have learned from the VW scandal, and the courts are now also vigilant – a development that Volvo should take seriously.
Volvo faces enormous effort: Possible recall could be complex
Volvo has already completely abandoned diesel engines and is now focusing exclusively on hybrid and electric vehicles. However, if the Swedish manufacturer is actually forced to redesign hundreds of thousands of diesel vehicles in Germany and possibly other countries, this could pose an enormous challenge. According to information from FOCUS online, it could be difficult for Volvo to accomplish this task, as the manufacturer, which is part of the Chinese Geely Group, may no longer have sufficient development capacity to develop and test the necessary software or hardware updates.
The effort required to implement these changes would be considerable, especially since they involve extensive overhauls of vehicles, some of which have been on the market for years. It remains to be seen how Volvo will meet this challenge as the KBA continues to push for the elimination of emissions manipulation.
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