VW Jetta Door Defect Class Action Settlement Gets Tentative Ok

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A federal judge granted preliminary approval to a $43 million class action settlement between Volkswagen Group of America Inc. and Jetta owners who claim their vehicles contained door defects. If the VW Jetta class action settlement becomes effective, approximately 125,000 Class Members will be able to choose between receiving a $345 cash reimbursement or an extended warranty.

Lead plaintiff Jemeliah Sade Smith alleges in the VW Jetta class action lawsuit that 2005-2006 model year Jetta A5’s were manufactured with defective driver side front door wiring harnesses, which could cause a loss of access to the door locks and windows. While the judge who approved the Jetta class action settlement noted that it was not a direct safety issue, he did write that the settlement was fair and adequate in his May 22 Order.

Class Members of the Volkwagen Jetta class action settlement include all current owners or lessees or prior owners of an A5 Volkswagen Jetta model year 2005 or 2006 vehicle, with a VIN range from 1K_5M000001 to 1K_6M759703, imported and distributed by defendant for sale or lease in the United States and Puerto Rico

The Jetta class action settlement provides two options for vehicle owners: a reimbursement program and the extended warranty program. If a dealership has already repaired the Volkswagen Jetta wiring harness, Class Members who submit the pertinent documentation can receive up to $345 — the average cost of repair at an authorized Volkswagen dealership. For those who have not, there will be an extended warranty provided of up to 8 and 1/2 years or 100,000 miles. If such damage occurred during that same period from when they bought the vehicle, they can also be reimbursed.

Settlement notices will be mailed by the Settlement Administrator to Class Members no later than Aug. 1, 2014, according to the Order.

Class Members have until Aug. 29 to object to the Settlement Agreement, and until Sept. 1 to exclude themselves.

A Final Fairness Hearing is set for Sept. 19.

More information about how to file a claim for the Jetta door defect class action settlement was not immediately available. Keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter for the latest updates. You can also mark this article as a “Favorite” using your free Top Class Actions account to receive automatic notifications when this article is updated.

Plaintiffs are represented by Climaco Peca Tarantino & Garofoli Co. LPA, Geragos & Geragos, Gori Julian & Associates PC, Holland Groves Schneller& Stolze LLC, Levin Fishbein Sedran & Berman, Neblett Beard & Arsenault and Parker Waichman LLP.

The VW Jetta Door Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Jemeliah Sade Smith v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Case No. 13-cv-00370, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.