How does one of the largest automobile makers in the world get away with cheating? Simply because our society replies on computers to tell us what is going on, and we believe the computers. In May 2014, West Virginia University tested two models of Volkswagen cars and found they emitted nearly 40 times the permitted levels of nitrogen oxides. Needless to say that raised several red flags.

The California Air Resources Board stepped in and quickly took action after seeing that the research applied to the Volkswagen Jetta and Passat. It was discovered that the software in Volkswagen vehicles was designed to sense when an emissions test was being conducted, then activate equipment to reduce those emissions. That equipment shut down during normal driving and drove emissions levels up to the extreme levels found by West Virginia University.

How many cars are affected? Volkswagen says somewhere in the ballpark of 11 million vehicles worldwide have the deceptive software installed, which is more than 20 times what the company originally disclosed. In other words, Volkswagen is attempting to minimize just how difficult their recall process will be. Attorneys general across the United States are putting major pressure on the automaker, claiming they are ready to form an investigative group to get to the bottom of the issue if Volkswagen doesn’t start the clean up process quickly.

High level executives are using a popular approach to this type of corporate scandal; they are blaming “a few bad apples” in the company. In their desperate attempt to maintain their reputation, CEO Martin Winterkorn released a video in September stating that the deceit was “the grave errors of very few,” rather than taking responsibility for what is clearly a much larger scandal. I find it very hard to believe just a few individuals had everything to do with the production, installation and sale of 11 million deceptive machines. Luckily, the German government agrees with this unlikelihood and has already launched an investigation into the ethical conduct of Volkswagen.

Well over half a million Volkswagen owners in the United States are being affected by the recall. At least seven diesel-powered models will be called back, including:

• Jetta
• Beetle and Beetle Convertible
• Passat
• A3
• Jetta SportWagen
• Golf
• Golf SportWagen

Under major pressure, Volkswagen said it will recall 8.5 of the 11 million affected vehicles in 2016. However, the company says owners in the United States will likely need to wait over a year for the changes to be made. Volkswagen has announced that it is prepared to set aside half of revenues from an entire year’s sales to prepare for the recalls, which comes out to roughly $7.3 billion. However, costs will surely exceed this amount, since fines and layoffs will be likely.

If you or a loved one is the owner of one of the above Volkswagen models with a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the auto accident attorneys at Baizer Kolar P.C for help.