Volkswagen and Audi Takata air bags defect $42M class action settlement

Updates:

• The effective date of the settlement is July 8, 2022, making the claim deadline July 8, 2023.

• U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno granted final approval April 4, 2022, for Volkswagen and Audi to pay a $42 million settlement to end allegations the companies’ cars use defective Takata air bags. 
• The judge ruled the settlement fair in all respects over objections from seven Class Members.
• He also agreed to a $12.6 million attorneys’ fee to be taken from the total settlement amount.
• The settlement covers 1.35 million vehicles and is modeled on settlements previously approved with seven other automakers that also used the Takata air bags.
• Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Volkswagen and Audi recently agreed to pay $42 million as part of an air bag class action lawsuit settlement resolving allegations the companies’ cars use defective Takata air bags that could cause injuries or deaths.

The VW air bag settlement benefits individuals who owned or leased certain Volkswagen or Audi vehicles containing a Takata air bag between Feb. 9, 2016, and Nov. 10, 2021. A full list of affected vehicles can be found on the settlement website or in the “Who’s Eligible” section below.

The air bag class action lawsuit against Volkswagen and Audi is one of many surrounding the massive air bag recall scandal. Takata air bags installed in millions of vehicles caused at least 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries due to allegedly faulty inflators, which may shoot shrapnel into the vehicle when activated. 

Companies such as BMW, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota already reached a class action settlement over the defective air bags. The U.S. Department of Justice ordered Takata to pay up to $1 billion in penalties.

Volkswagen, Audi air bags settlement benefits

The air bag class action lawsuit settlement with Volkswagen and Audi provides cash payments to owners and lessees of affected vehicles. If drivers did not incur any related expenses, they can collect payments of up to $500 from the settlement.

Larger payments are available for consumers who incurred out of pocket expenses related to the Takata air bag recall. Although this settlement doesn’t include payments for personal injury or property damage claims, drivers can collect compensation for other expenses, including:

• Repair costs
• Rental car or transportation expenses
• Towing charges
• Storage fees
• Childcare expenses
• Lost wages
• And more

If Class Members do not want to participate in the air bag class action lawsuit settlement but wish to retain their legal standing against Volkswagen or Audi, they must submit an exclusion or objection request by Feb. 14, 2022.

In order to benefit from the Volkswagen and Audi air bags class action settlement, Class Members must file a valid claim form by one year from the settlement effective date, or July 8, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who owned or leased certain Volkswagen or Audi vehicles containing a Takata air bag between Feb. 9, 2016 and Nov. 10, 2021. 

Affected Volkswagen and Audi vehicles include:

• 2009-2017 Volkswagen CC 
• 2010-2016 Volkswagen Eos 
• 2010-2014 Volkswagen Golf 
• 2012-2015 Volkswagen Passat 
• 2006-2008, 2010 Volkswagen Passat Sedan 
• 2006-2008, 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon 
• 2012-2019 VW Beetle 
• 2012-2019 VW Beetle Convertible 
• 2006-2013 Audi A3 
• 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant 
• 2007-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet 
• 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan 
• 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet 
• 2006-2011 Audi A6 Avant 
• 2005-2011 Audi A6 Sedan 
• 2009-2012 Audi Q5 
• 2017 Audi R8 Coupe 
• 2017 Audi R8 Spyder 
• 2008 Audi RS 4 Cabriolet 
• 2007-2008 Audi RS 4 Sedan 
• 2005-2008 Audi S4 Avant 
• 2007-2009 Audi S4 Cabriolet 
• 2005-2008 Audi S4 Sedan 
• 2010-2012 Audi S5 Cabriolet 
• 2007-2011 Audi S6 Sedan 
• 2016-2017 Audi TT Coupe 
• 2016-2017 Audi TT Roadster

Potential Award

Up to $500

Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to the Takata air bag inflator recall or cash payments of up to $500.

Proof of Purchase

VIN number, model, and model year of affected vehicles along with documentation of out-of-pocket expenses related to the air bag recalls.

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

07/08/2023 (estimated)

• Class Members who sold or returned, pursuant to a lease, a recalled subject vehicle after Feb. 9, 2016, and before Nov. 10, 2021, have one year from the date that the settlement effective date to submit a Registration/Claim Form.
• Those who owned or leased a subject vehicle on Nov. 10, 2021, the deadline for submitting a Registration/Claim Form is one year after the effective date, or one year after the date the recall remedy is performed on the Vehicle, whichever is later, until the Final Registration/Claim Deadline is reached.

Case Name

In re: Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 1:15-md-02599-FAM in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Final Hearing

03/07/2022

Settlement Website

AutoAirbagSettlement.com/Volkswagen/

Claims Administrator

Auto Airbag Settlement
Settlement Notice Administrator

P.O. Box 5650

Portland, OR 97208-5650
info@autoairbagsettlement.com
888-735-5596

Class Counsel

Peter Prieto
PODHURST ORSECK PA

David Boies
BOIES SCHILLER & FLEXNER LLP

Todd A. Smith
SMITH LACIEN LLP

Defense Counsel

Robert J. Giuffra Jr.
SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP

Antony Klapper
VOLKSWAGEN GENERAL COUNSEL