Opel-Abgasskandal: Erst freiwillige Servicemaßnahme, dann doch verpflichtender Rückruf

The popular German car manufacturer under the umbrella of the multinational automotive group Stellantis is even more deeply involved in the emissions scandal than was initially assumed. As the recently published recall As the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has shown in its investigation into Opel, the manufacturer not only intervened in the Cascada, Insignia and Zafira models with AdBlue injection to illegal switch-off devices, but also in other vehicles that are supposed to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard. According to the KBA, in Germany alone, almost 75,000 Astra, Corsa and Insignia models from the years 2013 to 2018 are affected.

What is special about it: At the beginning of 2021, the KBA initially granted Opel the opportunity to eliminate the inadmissible defeat device(s) with the help of a so-called “voluntary” software update, before the measure was converted into a mandatory recall in December 2021.

Opel: Request for software update reaches the first vehicle owners

For about two weeks now, affected vehicle owners have been receiving a request to contact their Opel service partner "immediately" and have the software "conversion" carried out. Despite the KBA's order to Opel that must be implemented immediately, the manufacturer still maintains that the vehicles do not contain any prohibited functions (defeat devices).

This makes the fact that the campaign number of the voluntary software "upgrade" at the beginning of 2021 (E172109770 (21-R-054) 084) and that of the now mandatory software update (E172109770 (21-R-054)) do not differ seem all the more questionable. On the contrary: Opel even explicitly points out that it is the same software update.

“Voluntary” service measures at Opel are not as “voluntary” as one might initially assume

The case described makes it clear that so-called "voluntary" service measures (often) only serve to unconsciously remove ("conceal") defeat devices installed in the vehicle. If a certain number of affected vehicle owners take part in a voluntary recall campaign, the manufacturer can avoid a mandatory recall measure. A public admission that the KBA's order was issued due to the use of legally inadmissible defeat devices can thus be avoided.

Opel seems to have failed to do this and is now likely to face a veritable wave of lawsuits Our law firm received numerous inquiries within a very short period of time.

Do you also drive an affected vehicle and have you already been asked by Opel to carry out the software “conversion”? Let's talk! We will examine your claim for compensation free of charge and initiate all further necessary steps for you.