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Volkswagen/Audi HID Headlight Class Action Settlement Approved
By Dominic Rivera
The Final Fairness Hearing for the Volkswagen/Audi HID headlight class action settlement was held Oct. 25, 2013, paving the way for its final approval on Oct. 30.
According to the order granting final approval to the class action settlement, the court certified the Settlement Class as all persons and entities who purchased or leased, within the United States of America, any 2005 and 2006 model year Audi A4 (B7) vehicle, 2005 model year Audi A4 (B6) vehicle, and 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 (pre-GP) model year Volkswagen Touareg vehicle, imported and distributed by defendant Volkswagen Group of America Inc., for sale or lease in the United States of America, which was equipped with factory installed HID Headlight Parts. Plaintiffs Marie Rita Kennedy-Lebar, Chris Murphy, D. Alexander Davis, and Ludette Crisler as representatives of the Settlement Class.
The Volkswagen/Audi HID headlight settlement will resolve multiple class action lawsuits filed in 2010 alleging that the vehicles were equipped with faulty HID headlights that would randomly flicker or shut off while the vehicles are being driven. Volkswagen denies these claims and maintains that the HID headlights on these vehicles function properly, but has agreed to extend the warranty coverage on them and to reimburse consumers for past repairs to resolve the litigation.
Volkswagen’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover the repair or replacement of HID headlight bulbs of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 (pre-GP) model year Volkswagen Touareg vehicles by an authorized Volkswagen dealer if the vehicle is brought to the dealer for repair within 5 years or 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) of the date of the first original purchase or lease of the vehicle. The same warranty extension will be provided to cover the repair or replacement of HID headlight ECUs of 2005 and 2006 model year Audi A4 (B7) vehicles, and HID headlight bulbs of 2005 model year Audi A4 (B6) vehicles.
The Court also awarded a total of $1,500,000 for attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses. Each of the Class Representatives of the Settlement Class will also get a $1,000 as incentive award.
The Court noted that any reimbursement checks issued to Class Members will be valid only for a period of ninety (90) days. Claims will be paid as soon as any appeals, if filed, are resolved.
Class Members will automatically receive the warranty coverage. However, the only way to receive a cash reimbursement is to submit a valid Claim Form and supporting documentation (such as repair records, receipts and proof of payment) to the Settlement Administrator no later than Dec. 3, 2013. Detailed claim filing instructions for the Volkswagen/Audi HID Headlight Class Action Settlement can be found here.
The case is Kennedy-Lebar et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Case No. 10-cv-05126, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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2 thoughts onVolkswagen/Audi Headlight Class Action Settlement Approved
I was wondering the same thing.
Terri Rankin
I have filed a claim which you have on file. Now that final approval has been granted when will reimbursements and claims be mailed?
Amber Yeargin