Volkswagen class action overview:
- Who: Five Volkswagen and Audi drivers have sued the automakers.
- Why: The plaintiffs say the company sold vehicles with a dangerous defect.
- Where: The Volkswagen class action lawsuit was filed in a California federal court.
Five Volkswagen and Audi drivers have filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers, alleging that the companies sold vehicles with dangerous defects without informing consumers.
Plaintiffs Jagger Hardy, Andrew Montemayor, Nancy Pickett, Geri Darrow, and Luis Viteri filed the class action complaint against Audi of America Inc., Volkswagen AG and Audi AG on Aug. 2 in a New Jersey federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
The plaintiffs argue that the automakers knew about defects in several models but failed to disclose it, putting drivers and passengers at risk.
Class action: Automakers had longstanding knowledge of defects
The lawsuit is seeking to represent owners and lessees of 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf, 2015-2020 Audi A3, and 2022-2024 Volkswagen Taos vehicles.
According to the plaintiffs, these vehicles contain defects in the suction jet pump and fuel tank components, leading to fuel leaks, premature nozzle shutoffs, fuel spillbacks and gas odors inside the vehicle.
These issues, dubbed the “Suction Pump Defect,” pose a significant fire hazard and compromise the engine’s ability to receive fuel, the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs claim that Volkswagen and Audi have been aware of these defects since at least 2015 but chose to conceal the information. They allege that the automakers not only failed to disclose the defect but also took active steps to hide it from consumers.
Warranty and repair issues
Volkswagen sold the vehicles with warranties covering fuel tank and suction jet pump components, the plaintiffs say. However, numerous complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that authorized dealerships often refused adequate repairs even within the warranty period. This left many owners and lessees dealing with recurring issues and costly repairs, they say.
Safety concerns
Hardy says he purchased a 2015 Volkswagen GTI SE for personal use, attracted by its advertised safety and reliability.
However, in 2017, he began to notice gas odors inside the vehicle, which escalated to fuel spilling out of the tank in 2022. Despite multiple attempts to repair the vehicle under warranty, the problem persisted. A dealership eventually advised Hardyto stop driving the car due to the unresolved defect, he says.
As a result, the plaintiffs seek to represent all U.S. residents who purchased or leased the vehicles with the alleged defect. They are suing for violations of consumer protection laws, fraud, and unjust enrichment, and are demanding class certification, damages, and a jury trial.
Meanwhile, in May, Volkswagen Group of America issued a recall for nearly 80,000 of its model year 2021-2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles over concerns their rearview camera displays could fail to display an image or be delayed.
What do you think of the allegations against Volkswagen? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Berger Montague PC and Capstone Law APC.
The Volkswagen class action lawsuit is Jagger Hardy et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc. et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-08251-KMW-SAK in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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28 thoughts onVolkswagen class action claims suction jet pumps, fuel tanks contain defects
I had a 2022 Taos that gave me issues as soon as I drive off the lot. Fuel tank issues brakes issues this continued until the vehicle was no longer under warranty. I requested a buyback for the issues and it still went unresolved. I want to be compensated for the negative balance I had to roll over to my new vehicle.
I purchased a 2020 VW Passat about a year and some months ago. Shortly after I got it, it started smoking on the inside of the car. I took it to get tested and they said something about the airflow of the engine. I didn’t purchase a car with the intention of sinking money, that I don’t have to spare into a vehicle. I don’t trust the dealership who sold me the car to do right by me. Or the Sister company VW dealership that gave me an oil change because not even a month later I had no oil. I need help in seeing if my car qualifies for this class action suit
I have a 2022 atlas and my brake sound horrible and the noise is so loud. I also have a sound like water is rushing when the brake is pressed I been to the dealer 4 times now and they said there is nothing they can do for me every time . I like to be added to this class action please
I have a 2022 atlas. The brakes have been acting up for the past year. Every time I go to the dealership they tell me the noise is normal and the because of the material of the brakes. I don’t believe this is true and I’ve been going back and fourth about going to an outside shop to get them all replaced.. I shouldn’t have to do that with fairly new car.
There is no issue with them stopping, but the noise they create is very annoying.
I replaced mine with
“Posiquiet ceramic pads”. I ordered them from TireRack.com, Great price $138. I recommend calling them to ask for a shop to install. They will ship them to the shop. Mine were installed by Pep Boys. Installation is under $400
I have a 2018 Audi A3, there is a recall on the section jet pump. I had to take my car to the dealer because my car wouldn’t accelerate, and the check engine light came on. The dealership said my fuel pump is also damaged and is now trying to charge me $2000+ to replace the fuel pump, even though that was caused by the section jet pump recall to begin with. They won’t pay for the fuel pump, even though it was caused by the recall. Please add me to this case.
I have a 2014 VW Passat and would like to be added to the claim please.
I’m experiencing the same issue, I would like to join if possible.
I also am experiencing the same issues with a 2022 VW Atlas Cross Sport, my brakes make this horrible sound when they are cold starting out, sounds like front end is going to fall out of something, terrible and scared my kids to death!
Same here. How come apply
I have a 2020 Atlas and have been experiencing the same. Keep going to the dealer for them to tell me it’s normal and the brakes just need to be worn in/get use to my braking style. Wtf!?? How can I join this class action lawsuit!? I just bought this car 2 years ago!
I have a 2019 Jetta with the brake issue how can I sign up as well?
Can I please be added to the lawsuit. I have a 2022 Taos that’s been acting up just as the lawsuit said.