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
We have a 2016 Passat with 80,000 mi and pump is leaking! They want 650.00 to fix it we want to join suit!
Owner of 2015 GTI with thermostat / water pump issues. Please add me to the class action.
2012 VW CC (Passat) with 81,000 miles. Leaking water pump. At the dealership now. $1450 to repair. Please add to settlement!
2015 Golf SEL. Thermostat housing replaced Dec 2019. More recently, water pump and thermostat housing replaced again May 2022. Cost was 1200 in 2019 and $700 in 2022.
2014 Tiguan 2.0 only 62500 miles, engine lights on and replaced water pump. Have receipts.
Just bought a used 2017 Golf Alltrack that has 32,000 miles and the thermostat housing is leaking. $1600 to fix.
2017 VW Alltrack. Replace water pump for $1400. 70,000 miles.
Tiguan SE 2020 4×4 , water pump and thermostat just broke. Fixed for 1000 .
The check engine light for code P00B7 just came on for my 2017 VW Golf Alltrack with 29,700 miles. It will need the water pump replaced to the cost of about $1400 in total.
2017 Alltrack in for 40,000 mile service. Thermostat housing leak. $1000 to fix. Please add me.