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Volkswagen class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Michael L. Raffo has filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen.
- Why: The phasing out of wireless networks’ 3G networks will allegedly cause important features to be inoperable in some Volkswagen vehicles.
- Where: The Volkswagen class action lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.
Volkswagen has failed to offer a solution to owners of 3G connected vehicles even as wireless carriers are shutting down 3G networks, leaving certain important features inoperable, a class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Michael L. Raffo filed the Volkswagen class action lawsuit Oct. 24 against Volkswagen Group of America Inc. and Volkswagen AG.
The Volkswagen class action lawsuit notes that the automaker in 2014 began offering “Car-Net” connected car services, which is based on its 3G-only telematic system. However, Volkswagen allegedly failed to design the 3G telematic system to be adaptable to future generations of wireless, such as 4G and 5G networks.
The vehicles named in the Volkswagen class action lawsuit include:
- 2014-2019 VW Passat, Jetta, Tiguan, Beetle
- 2014-2017 EOS
- 2018-2019 Atlas
- 2018-2019 Arteon
- 2014-2019 GolfR, GolfD, Golf, eGolf
- 2014-2019 Golf SportWagen
- 2014-2018 CC
These vehicles were reportedly factory equipped with 3G-only telematics devices even though 3G was already being replaced by 4G LTE in 2014, the Volkswagen class action alleges.
“All manufacturers of 3G devices have long known that 3G was ‘spectrally inefficient’ and would be phased out as early as possible,” the Volkswagen class action lawsuit says.
Volkswagen class action notes that 4G network upgrade was in the works since 2009
Raffo points out that wireless carriers began planning for an upgrade to 4G connectivity as early as 2009.
“There was no disclosure or even suggestion that Car-Net would be rendered obsolete once 3G was phased out or that Car-Net features were only temporary or had only a limited life,” Raffo claims. For later model years after 4G was prevalent, Volkswagen failed to disclose that its equipment was a generation behind the standard and marketed the telematics as a permanent feature of the vehicles, the Volkswagen class action lawsuit says.
Raffo points to several potential fixes that Volkswagen could have performed to make their telematics system functional after network upgrades.
“It would have been costly however, but [Volkswagen] could have done it, or planned in advance by recalling cars and installing upgrades to add 4G and/or 5G capabilities,” the Volkswagen class action lawsuit says.
Raffo says that he would have paid less for his Volkswagen vehicle, or would not have purchased it at all, if he had known that its telematics would be rendered obsolete once 3G networks were phased out.
The Volkswagen class action lawsuit asserts violations of New Jersey and New York consumer protection laws, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment.
BMW and Porsche vehicles also have features that will be disabled once 3G networks have been phased out, according to another recent class action lawsuit.
Do you own a vehicle with features that are not compatible with 4G or 5G networks? Tell us what you think of the Volkswagen class action lawsuit in the comments!
Raffo is represented by Lee Squitieri of Squitieri & Fearon LLP.
The Volkswagen class action lawsuit is Michael L. Raffo v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-06230, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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16 thoughts onVolkswagen class action claims 3G phase-out renders some car features inoperable
We have VW Atlas SEL bought in 2017 (it’s a 2018 model). I have lost access to CarNet and remote operations etc., I used a link from VW and put in my VIN number back in 2022 and it said they plan to send the part to my dealership in 2022 Q4. It also mentioned supply chain problems etc., Nothing happend for a long time. I tried the link again with my VIN and it mentioned target moved to 2023 Q1 (again due to supply chain problems).. nothing happened. I called VW and the rep said there is a backlog and it should happen in 2023 Q2. I called dealership sevaral times and there is no news. Now, we’re at the end of 2023!! This is unacceptable. Happy to join this class action against VW!!
10/6/23, I called three dealerships and Volkswagen and CarNet multiple times over the years for the fix for my 2019 Beetle 3G fix. Yesterday Volkwagen admitted they do not plan on fixing it yet all 2020 vehicles and newer receive 5 years free CarNet services. I am shocked and appalled. My Beetle is the last year they made them it’s a Limited Edition….what kind of resale value will I get without CarNet features? Feel like sending my car back and asking for a refund but it’s an Iconic car…..Does this fall under the “Lemon Laws”?
I have been to the Volkswagen dealer to ask about the upgrade to restore functionality, and they act like they have no idea what I’m talking about. The Car-Net website reported that there was a hardware fix previously, now there is a message on the site that says there are technical difficulties. What’s going on? Why would I consider purchasing another VW?
I have made several calls to VW about the 3g issue. Today I got the Corporate BS answer that they have run into technical issues. Which, of course, is the VW Corporate for they are not going to do anything to restore the feature that we paid for!
I have a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. Have called Volkswagen on several occasions in the past year or so and they are still telling me they do not have the parts yet to resolve the 3G issue. They keep pushing date back.