Emissions Recall
Code: 23EM
Subject
Release Date

Engine Control Module (ECM) Software
December 20, 2022

Country

Beginning
Model
Year

Ending
Model
Year

Vehicle

USA
CAN

2009
2009

2012
2012

TOUAREG
TOUAREG

Affected Vehicles

Vehicle
Count
305
69

Check Campaigns/Actions screen in ELSA on the day of repair to verify that a VIN qualifies for repair under this
action. ELSA is the only valid campaign inquiry & verification source.

Problem Description

Corrective Action
Code Visibility



Campaign status must show “open.”



If ELSA shows other open action(s), inform your customer so that the work can also be completed at
the same time the vehicle is in the workshop for this campaign.

Volkswagen has determined, based on service records, that the software version of the engine
control module (ECM) requires an update to validate and, if necessary, reapply the ECM
software that was installed on these vehicles at the time that they received the Approved
Emissions Modification (USA) / Emissions Modification (Canada). This issue could have an
impact on vehicle tailpipe emissions.
Update the ECM software.
On or about December 20, 2022, the campaign code will be applied to affected vehicles.

Owner Notification

Owner notification will take place in December 2022. Owner letter examples are included in this
bulletin for your reference.

Emissions Campaigns
Requirements
(CALIFORNIA ONLY)

The California Air Resources Board and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) require
emissions-related campaigns to be completed prior to vehicle registration renewal. When
campaign work is done you must provide the owner with a signed “Vehicle Emission Recall –
Proof of Correction” certificate (RC EMISCAVWAU). Order certificates online via the
Compliance Label Ordering portal at www.vwhub.com.

Additional Information

Please alert everyone in your dealership about this action, including Sales, Service, Parts
and Accounting personnel. Contact Warranty if you have any questions.
Dealers must ensure that every affected inventory vehicle has this campaign completed before
delivery to consumers.
Fill out and affix Campaign Completion Label (CAMP 010 000) after work is complete.
Labels can be ordered at no cost via the Compliance Label Ordering portal at www.vwhub.com.

The repair information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To
determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer. 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Volkswagen Canada. All Rights Reserved.
December 2022

23EM Page 1 of 11

Claim Entry Instructions
The labor times listed here may differ from the labor operations and labor times listed in ELSA.
After campaign has been completed, enter claim as soon as possible to help prevent work from being duplicated
elsewhere. Attach the ELSA screen print showing action open on the day of repair to the repair order.
If customer refused campaign work:
 U.S. dealers: Submit request via WISE under the Campaigns/Update/Recall Closure option.
 Canada dealers: Upload the repair order [signed by customer] to Volkswagen WIN/Operations/Campaign
Closure.
Service Number
Damage Code
Parts Vendor Code
Claim Type

23EM
0099
WWO
Sold vehicle: 7 10
Unsold vehicle: 7 90

Causal Indicator
Vehicle Wash/Loaner

Mark labor as causal
Do not claim wash/loaner under this action
U.S.A.: Loaner/rental coverage cannot be claimed under this action. However,
loaner/rental may be covered under the Alternate Transportation Program. Please refer
to the Volkswagen Warranty Policy and Procedures Manual for loaner claims
information and reimbursement details.
Canada: Loaner/rental coverage cannot be claimed under this action. Please refer to t
Volkswagen Service Loaner Program to determine loaner eligibility.

Criteria I.D.

01

LABOR
Labor Op

Time Units

Description

2706 89 50

10

Connect battery charger

2470 25 99

Time stated on
diagnostic protocol
(up to 50 TU)

Update engine control module software

The information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures
are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether
this information applies, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer. 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Volkswagen Canada. All Rights Reserved.
December 2022

23EM Page 2 of 11

Customer Letter Example (USA)

This notice applies to your vehicle: ,
Subject: Emissions Recall 23EM – Engine Control Module (ECM) Software
Dear Volkswagen Owner,
In cooperation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, we are
informing you of our decision to conduct an emissions recall on certain 2009-2012 model year Volkswagen vehicles.
Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle affected by this action.
What is the issue?

Volkswagen has determined, based on service records, that the software version of the
engine control module (ECM) requires an update to validate and, if necessary, reapply the
ECM software that was installed on these vehicles at the time that they received the
Approved Emissions Modification. This issue could have an impact on vehicle tailpipe
emissions.

What will we do?

Your authorized Volkswagen dealer will update the ECM software in your vehicle. This work
will take about an hour to complete and will be performed for you free of charge. Please
keep in mind that your dealer may need additional time for the preparation of the repair, as
well as to accommodate their daily workshop schedule.
IMPORTANT! Please note that if the ECM in your vehicle has been “chipped,”
“tuned,” or otherwise modified from factory specifications with aftermarket
components and/or software, work needed to repair, replace, or return the ECM to
factory specifications is NOT covered under this action.

What should you do?

Please contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer as soon as possible to schedule this
service. To set up an appointment online, please visit www.vw.com/find-a-dealer.

Lease vehicles and
address changes

If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action, please
forward this letter immediately via first-class mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of receipt.
If you have changed your address or sold the vehicle, please fill out the enclosed prepaid
Owner Reply card and mail it to us so we can update our records.

Important information for
California Vehicle
Owners – California
Regulations

California regulations require that this campaign be completed prior to the time you renew
your vehicle registration. Therefore, please make sure that this campaign is completed
prior to the renewal of your vehicle registration, and that you furnish proof of completion
to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the form of a copy of the dealer’s repair order,
including a signed “Proof of Correction” certificate. You obtain this from your dealer after the
campaign has been completed. Please retain the signed “Proof of Correction Certificate”
with your vehicle records. DO NOT MAIL THIS FORM to the DMV, unless requested.

Can we assist you
further?

If your authorized Volkswagen dealer fails or is unable to complete this work free of charge
within a reasonable time, or if you should have any questions about this communication,
please reach out to us using your preferred method of communication at
www.vw.com/contact or by calling us at 800-893-5298.

We apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause; however we are taking this action to help ensure your vehicle
continues to meet and exceed your expectations.
Sincerely,
Volkswagen Customer Protection

The information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described.
To determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer. 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Volkswagen Canada. All Rights Reserved.
December 2022

23EM Page 3 of 11

Customer Letter Example (CANADA)

This notice applies to your vehicle: ,
Subject: Emissions Recall 23EM – Engine Control Module (ECM) Software
Dear Volkswagen Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Volkswagen has determined that a defect, which relates to a prescribed emission standard, exists in certain 2009-2012
model year Volkswagen vehicles. Our records show that you are the owner of a vehicle affected by this action.
What is the issue?

Volkswagen has determined, based on service records, that the software version of the
engine control module (ECM) requires an update to validate and, if necessary, reapply the
ECM software that was installed on these vehicles at the time that they received the
Emissions Modification. This issue could have an impact on vehicle tailpipe emissions.

What will we do?

Your authorized Volkswagen dealer will update the ECM software in your vehicle. This work
will take about an hour to complete and will be performed for you free of charge. Please
keep in mind that your dealer may need additional time for the preparation of the repair, as
well as to accommodate their daily workshop schedule.
IMPORTANT! Please note that if the ECM in your vehicle has been “chipped,”
“tuned,” or otherwise modified from factory specifications with aftermarket
components and/or software, work needed to repair, replace, or return the ECM to
factory specifications is NOT covered under this action.

What should you do?

In order to limit any possible inconvenience, please contact your authorized Volkswagen
dealer as soon as possible to schedule this service. On or about December 20, 2022 the
necessary repair instructions and parts will be available to your authorized Volkswagen
dealer.

Lease vehicles and
address changes

If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action, please
forward this letter immediately via first-class mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of receipt.
If you have changed your address or sold the vehicle, please fill out the enclosed prepaid
Owner Reply card and mail it to us so we can update our records.

Can we assist you
further?

If your authorized Volkswagen dealer fails or is unable to complete this work free of charge
within a reasonable time, please contact Customer Relations, Monday through Friday from
8AM to 8PM EST by phone at 1-800-822-8987 or via our “Contact Us” page at www.vw.ca.

We apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause; however we are taking this action to help ensure your vehicle
continues to meet and exceed your expectations.
Sincerely,
Volkswagen Customer Protection

The information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These
procedures are not intended to be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume this document applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described.
To determine whether this information applies, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer. 2022 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Volkswagen Canada. All Rights Reserved.
December 2022

23EM Page 4 of 11

Required Tools

Diagnostic Tester

Battery Tester/Charger
capable of minimum 70
Amp continuous supply

-VAS6150X/VAS6160X(or equivalent)

Repair Instruction
Section A - Check for Previous Repair
TIP
If Campaign Completion label is present, no further work is required.



Enter the VIN in Elsa and proceed to the
“Campaign/Action” screen.

TIP
On the date of repair, print this screen and keep a
copy with the repair order.


Confirm the Campaign/Action is open . If the status is closed, no further work is
required.



Note the Applicable Criteria ID for
use in determining the correct work to be done
and corresponding parts associated.
CRITICAL REPAIR STEP

STOP!
If multiple software update Campaign/Actions are
open, they must be performed in order of the Start
date . The oldest should be performed
first.


All Safety Recalls must be completed prior
to completing this campaign.



Proceed to Section B.

The information in this document is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These