Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Volkswagen concealed a water pump defect in 25 models of its cars sold in the United States, which its customers then had to pay to get fixed themselves, a new nationwide class action alleges.
In the class action lawsuit filed Friday in a New Jersey federal court, Plaintiffs Michael Zhao and Dean Marriott allege Volkswagen USA broke federal warranty laws and state consumer laws in its actions regarding the “latent defect.”
It says Volkswagen USA, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, knew since 2016 that at least 25 models of its vehicles contain a defectively manufactured thermoplastic water pump module that causes it to prematurely fail.
“When the Defect manifests, it may cause the engines in the Class Vehicles to overheat, resulting in sudden and catastrophic engine failure,” the class action states.
Engine failure causes the cars to unexpectedly stop, the class action claims, posing a danger to the drivers of the vehicles and to other people on the road.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Volkswagen actively tried to conceal the fact the cars were prone to the defect, omitting the flaw in its marketing and sale of the vehicles, in violation of the law.
The issue also diminished the value of the Class members’ vehicles, the drivers say.
When owners of cars with the water pump issue contacted Volkswagen about the defect, they claim the company was “unable or unwilling to adequately repair the Class Vehicles.” Instead it would tell owners and lessees that the cars are “operating as intended” and therefore cannot be repaired under warranty or otherwise.
“Once the Class Vehicles fall outside the warranty period, Defendants then charge the owners and lessees for the costly repairs necessitated by the Defect.”
In Zhao’s case, he bought a new 2018 Volkswagen Golf R in 2018 from Volkswagen of Downtown LA. After the car presented the defect, he said he had to pay $1,340.82 out of pocket for repairs. Marriott had a similar experience with his leased Volkswagen GTI Sport.
“As a result of Defendants’ unfair, deceptive and/or fraudulent business practices, owners and/or lessees of the Class Vehicles, including Plaintiff, have suffered an ascertainable loss of money and/or property and/or loss in value,” the class action says.
The class action is bringing the case against Volkswagen Group of America for breaches of federal express and implied warranties laws and for unfair, unlawful, and deceptive trade practices under California law.
Zhao and Marriott are looking to represent anyone in the United States who bought one of the 25 listed vehicles, plus a California subclass.
They are also seeking certification of the class action, damages, interest, fees, an injunction and a jury trial.
The Class vehicles are: 2015-2020 Audi A3, MY2015-2019 Audi A3 Quattro, MY2017-2019 Audi A4, MY2017-2019 Audi A4 Allroad, MY2017-2019 Audi A4 Quattro, MY2018-2019 Audi A5 Quattro, MY2018-2019 Audi A5 Sportback, MY 2015-2018 Audi A6, MY 2015-2018 A6 Quattro, MY2015-2018 Audi Q3, MY2015-2018 Audi Q3 Quattro, MY 2018-2020 Audi Q5, MY2016-2020 Audi TT Quattro, MY2017-2019 Audi Q7, MY2015-2019 Audi S3, MY2016- 2020 Audi TTS Quattro, MY2019-2020 Volkswagen Arteon, MY2018-2020 Atlas, MY2015- 2019 Volkswagen Beetle, MY2015-2018 Volkswagen Golf, MY2017-2019 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, MY2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf R, MY2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen, MY2015-2020 Volkswagen GTI, and MY2018-2020 Volkswagen Tiguan
Meanwhile, Volkswagen AG is facing a nationwide class action lawsuit saying that its executives artificially inflated stock prices in a gag marketing ploy that used the false name “Voltswagen” to emphasize the company’s focus on electric vehicles.
What do you think of Volkswagen’s alleged handling of consumer complaints? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiffs are represented by Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC.
The Volkswagen Water Pump Class Action Lawsuit is Zhao et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc, Case No. 2:21-cv-11251-MCA-MF, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
115 thoughts onVolkswagen Hid Water Pump Defect in 25 Models of Its Vehicles, Class Action Alleges
2012 Eos at 74k miles waterpump is leaking coolant. This seems to be a very common problem in VW and Audi vehicles for the past 20 years and yet they still refuse to produce a quality oem waterpump.
2016 Golf Sportwagen. 45k miles water pump failure. Dealership repair almost 2k!!
My 2013 VW Tiguan 43,000 miles on it was leaking coolant and overheating the dealership told me they couldn’t get me in for 2 weeks I had to go to an independent found that coolant pump has failed cost of the repair was $1400.00 to replace. My Audi A6 same year same engine has been recalled 3 times for a water pump . I called VW they said there was no recall & they would not cover or help with cost, shame on them no wonder they can’t retain there customers!
2013 Vw cc water pump leaking at 127k. These pumps are known to have issues and should be replaced by dealer..
Expand your class to include the Passat. My 2015 passat started leaking. Mechanic wanted $2700 to fix. I repaired with OEM parts . Lasted a little over a year, just started leaking again.
2 times changed water
Pump fit to leakage
2017 GTI 48000
Audi A3 water pump leak, being replace
water pump failure led to overheating and engine failure in my 2016 sportwagen. here i am after thousands in repairs for a new engine with a car i worry is still a ticking time bomb.
I’m literally dealing with this EXACT issue as we speak!!! Took me going to 2 worthless mechanics to only be told by the dealer it’s the damn water pump!!! I drive a 2014 VW Passat. I agree it needs to be ALL makes and models!!!!
2016 golf less than 20k miles
2014 VW Touareg R-line 3 water pumps and entire engine replacement from defective water pumps and cylinder wall discoloration…all replaced under warranty, now with new engine the water pump is failing again but this time no new warranty! Add the Touareg to the class action!!