Headaches, nausea, burning eyes – these were the symptoms experienced by some VW Grand California owners after spending the night in their new campervans. They only found out when they asked: The manufacturer had already had indications of pollutants in the interior before the start of sales. But instead of a recall, there was only a notice.
As research by the ZDF magazine frontal shows , Volkswagen already had internal measurement results in 2018 that indicated alarmingly high levels of benzene, styrene and formaldehyde in the interior of the camper – all substances that are considered potentially carcinogenic. The source: the GRP roof (glass fiber reinforced plastic), which apparently releases volatile organic compounds into the air over the long term. This information about corresponding laboratory measurements had apparently been known since February 2018. This emerges from a confidential internal VW audit report from 2022, which is available to ZDF. Risk assessment: “Critical”, according to the Frontal magazine in its report from July 1, 2025. The report also states “The component problems causing this were not remedied either in the run-up to K approval or in the course of sampling.”
Although VW’s own specifications were repeatedly not met by these values, the commercial vehicle division apparently decided to sell them for the 2019 camping season due to “cost and time pressure”. Customers are initially being kept in the dark about the problem.
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VW: Not a recall, but “instructions for use”
Instead of a recall, owners of the affected models (model years 2019 to spring 2022) were sent a “supplementary usage note” after repeated requests. In it, VW recommends stopping and ventilating if you feel unwell . At the same time, the Group emphasizes that there are no legal limits for the interior air of vehicles, so there is no formal health risk.
Independent experts are critical of this assessment. Dr. Norbert Weis from the Bremen Environmental Institute described the measured values to ZDF as “not marketable”: “I wouldn’t put a vehicle like this on sale.” Environmental lawyer Prof. Martin Führ also sees a clear violation of the Product Safety Act.
Improvement only from 2022
According to ZDF heute, the roof material was given a special inner layer at the factory from spring 2022 in order to reduce emissions. However, an information letter was all that was issued for vehicles that had already been delivered – many customers waited in vain for goodwill or exchange arrangements.
The Caliboard forum and the website of the law firm BIALOBRZESKI Rechtsanwälte also document a labor court case from Braunschweig in which former VW employees reported on emissions warnings in connection with the Grand California and were allegedly subjected to consequences under labor law due to their “whistleblower” activities. However, VW rejects these allegations.
What does this mean for customers of the VW Grand California?
Anyone who owns a Grand California built between 2019 and early 2022 should – regardless of subjective feelings – consider a professional indoor air measurement. Even slightly elevated values can be critical in the long term, especially when used by children or on longer journeys.
Whether further legal or technical improvements will follow remains to be seen. The public pressure on VW is growing.
FAQ
What harmful substances were found in the Grand California?
According to internal VW measurements, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde and benzaldehyde – in some cases far above the guideline values of the Federal Environment Agency. These substances are considered potentially carcinogenic.
Was there an official recall?
No. VW informed customers by letter and only advised them to air the car if they felt unwell.
When are Grand California models considered safe?
According to VW, from spring 2022, as a new roof sealant will be installed from this date.
Sources:
- https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/vw-camper-grand-california-schadstoffe-interner-bericht-100.html
- https://www.heise.de/news/Bericht-VW-Grand-California-jahrelang-mit-erhoehten-Schadstoffwerten-10465039.html
- https://bialo19.de/blog/richtungsweisendes-verfahren-gegen-volkswagen-whistleblower-kaempfen-um-gerechtigkeit
- https://www.grandcali.com/wdb/grand-california-feldmassnahme-06f4-geruch-innenraum/
- https://www.caliboard.de/topic/22631-geruch-im-neuen-gc600/
- https://www.caliboard.de/topic/22631-geruch-im-neuen-gc600/page/7/#comment-568073
Cover picture: © CamperStyle (stock photo)
