The manufacturer, whose UK headquarters are in Milton Keynes, is to release the Vehicle Identification Number details of affected cars to retailers.
The firm has also set up a self-serve process for customers to check if their vehicle is affected.
The company said in a statement: “Step by step, affected customers will be contacted, with details of a process to get their vehicles corrected in the near future. In the meantime, all vehicles are technically safe and roadworthy.”
The Volkswagen Group brands whose vehicles are affected will present the technical solutions and measures to relevant responsible authorities in October.
Customers with these vehicles will be kept informed over the coming weeks and months. All of the VW Group brands affected will set up national websites to update customers on developments.
VW says a total 1,189,906 vehicles, including almost 80,000 commercial vehicles, are affected.
The numbers of vehicles in the UK affected per brand are:
Volkswagen Passenger Cars 508,276
Audi 393,450
SEAT 76,773
ŠKODA 131,569
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles 79,838