Audi oil consumption class action settlement

Volkswagen agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that certain Audi vehicles contained defective pistons that caused excessive oil consumption.

The settlement benefits current and former owners and lessees who purchased or leased certain 2012-2014 Audi A4; 2012-2014 Audi A5; 2012-2014 Audi A6; 2012-2014 Audi Q5; 2012-2014 and 2016-2017 Audi TT; and 2015-2017 Audi A3 vehicles in the United States and Puerto Rico. Drivers can check their vehicle VIN on the settlement website to confirm their eligibility.

According to the class action lawsuit, certain Audi vehicles were equipped with defective pistons and piston rings, which caused vehicle engines to consume too much oil. This allegedly caused serious problems for drivers, from frequent oil changes to engine damage due to a lack of oil.

Volkswagen Group is an automotive manufacturer that sells vehicles under various brands, including Audi.

Volkswagen hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay an undisclosed sum as part of a settlement to resolve the Audi piston oil consumption class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, current owners and lessees can receive an extended warranty for their vehicles. This extended warranty covers 75% of the repair costs associated with excessive oil consumption (for Audi A4, A5, A6, Q5 and 2012-2014 Audi TT vehicles) or fractured pistons (for Audi A3 and 2016-2017 Audi TT vehicles) for nine years or 90,000 miles. The warranty may also cover up to 100% of engine damage repair costs. Coverage percentages will vary depending on the age and mileage of each vehicle.

Former owners and lessees who had to pay out of pocket to repair excessive oil consumption (for Audi A4, A5, A6, Q5 and 2012-2014 Audi TT vehicles) or fractured pistons (for Audi A3 and 2016-2017 Audi TT vehicles) within nine years or 90,000 miles of their in-service date can receive reimbursement for the repair costs they paid. 

Class members whose repairs were completed by an authorized Audi dealer can receive a 75% refund for their repair costs. Settlement class members whose repairs were not completed by an authorized Audi dealer can claim up to $3,700 for excessive oil consumption or $9,000 for a fractured piston. A 75% refund will be applied to these totals, for a maximum excessive oil consumption payment of $2,775 and a maximum fractured piston payment of $6,750. Class members are limited to receiving compensation for only one repair per vehicle.

Class members can also receive compensation for engine damage repairs that they paid for out of pocket. Class members who took their vehicles to an authorized Audi dealer for repairs can receive up to 100% reimbursement, on the same sliding scale as the extended warranty, while class members who did not have repairs completed by an authorized Audi dealer can claim up to $12,000 at the same sliding percentage scale.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Feb. 28, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the Audi piston oil consumption settlement is scheduled for April 22, 2024.

In order to receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by April 15, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Current and former owners and lessees who purchased or leased certain 2012-2014 Audi A4; 2012-2014 Audi A5; 2012-2014 Audi A6; 2012-2014 Audi Q5; 2012-2014 and 2016-2017 Audi TT; and 2015-2017 Audi A3 vehicles in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Drivers can check their vehicle VIN on the settlement website to confirm their eligibility.

Potential Award

$12,000

Proof of Purchase

Repair invoices, repair records, proof of payment for repairs, documentation of oil maintenance schedule

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

04/15/2024

Case Name

Rieger, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-10546-NLH-EAP, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Final Hearing

04/22/2024

Settlement Website

PistonSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Rieger v Volkswagen Group of America
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91369
Seattle, WA 98111
info@PistonSettlement.com
877-231-0648

Class Counsel

BERGER MONTAGUE PC

CAPSTONE APC

THE LADAH LAW FIRM

Defense Counsel

Michael B Gallub
Brian T Carr
Homer B Ramsey
SHOOK HARDY & BACON LLP