Purolator Oil Filters Incompatible With VW Routan, Class Action Alleges

Mann+Hummel Purolator Filters LLC, an auto parts manufacturer that sells oil filters marketed as compatible with Volkswagen Routan minivans, was hit with a proposed class action lawsuit on Monday. VW Routan owners claim that the air filters caused damage to their engines because they were not actually compatible with their vehicles.

Ohio resident Thomas Hockman is the lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit, and he says he purchased the L36135 model oil filter from Mann +Hummel based on their advertisements that stated the filters were compatible with the 2014 Volkswagen Routan.

According to the VW Routan oil filter class action lawsuit, “Purolator’s oil filter model #L36135 causes severe and catastrophic damage if installed in a 2014 Volkswagen Routan because the engine and related parts do not receive the correct amount, distribution, and delivery of oil.”

The model #L36135 filter is supposedly compatible with VW Routan model years up to 2013, because in the 2014 model year, VW changed the design of the van, which altered the shape and size of the oil filter. Mann+Hummel’s advertisements and claims allegedly present false information about the compatibility of the oil filter on their website, in printed automotive store parts catalogs and other instructional materials, according to the class action lawsuit.

Hockman is seeking Class certification for a nationwide Class as well as a subclass and the Classes would include individuals who purchased a Mann+Hummel model #L36136 oil filter for their 2014 Volkswagen Routan.

The VW Routan oil filter class action lawusit brings forth 10 counts against Mann+Hummel, including: violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, three counts of violations of the Ohio Product Liability Act, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, breaches of express and implied warranty and unjust enrichment

“Defendant owed a duty to warn plaintiff and other members of the classes that the model L36135 oil filter was not safe or compatible with the 2014 Volkswagen Routan and that severe engine damage, failure or other damages and personal injuries could arise from the installation of [the] oil filter into the vehicle,” the VW Routan oil filter class action lawsuit states.

In addition to a request for Class certification, Hockman is seeking compensatory damages to include the cost of replacing and/or repairing damaged or destroyed vehicles or parts, declaratory relief, statutory damages, treble damages and other relief as deemed appropriate.

“Plaintiff and class members relied on Defendant Purolator’s skill and judgment to design and manufacture oil filters suitable for this particular purpose,” the oil filter class action lawsuit claims. “At the time of the purchase, Defendant Purolator had reason to know that Plaintiffs and class members relied on its skill and judgment.”

“The model #L36135 oil filters, however, when sold [to] the Plaintiff and class members, and at all times thereafter, were not fit for their particular purpose of safely and compatibly operating within 2014 Volkswagen Routans. The oil filters were defectively designed and posed a serious safety and compatibility risk immediately upon purchase.”

Hockman is represented by Pamela A. Borgess of Borgess Law LLC and by Taylor R. Ward.

The VW Routan Oil Filter Class Action Lawsuit is Hockman v. Mann+Hummel Purolator Filters LLC, et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-02899, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.