Volkswagen reaches settlement in VW, Audi turbocharger class action

UPDATE:

• Volkswagen has agreed to a settlement to end class action claims that Audi and Volkswagen concealed a turbocharger defect in some of their vehicles. The settlement website is currently not live. Join our newsletter for updates on this and other class action settlements. 
• Volkswagen and Audi drivers asked a New Jersey federal judge to preliminarily approve the proposed class settlement in a memo filed on Feb. 28.
• The settlement covers Volkswagen and Audi vehicles built with generation 1, 2 or 3 EA888 engines, including models like the Audi A4, Volkswagen Golf and Volkswagen Tiguan.
• Plaintiff Julie Kimball filed the class action lawsuit in June 2022. In 2019, her model year 2010 Audi A4 allegedly experienced the turbocharger defect, costing her about $3,000 to diagnose the issue and replace the turbocharger.
• The proposed Volkswagen turbocharger settlement would have Volkswagen cover as much as half of certain out-of-pocket expenses the vehicle owners paid during the first 85,000 miles.

Audi, VW class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Julie Kimball has filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen and Audi.
• Why: The Volkswagen and Audi class action lawsuit alleges the automakers concealed a turbocharger defect in some of their vehicles.
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in New Jersey federal court.

Audi and Volkswagen concealed a turbocharger defect in some of their vehicles, according to a class action lawsuit filed June 21 in New Jersey federal court.

Plaintiff Julie Kimball says she leased a 2010 Audi A4 in 2009 and purchased the vehicle when the lease expired. In 2019, her Audi allegedly experienced the turbocharger defect. She says she paid about $3,000 to diagnose the issue and replace the turbocharger.

Turbocharger defect manifests after warranty expires, VW, Audi class action lawsuit says

The Audi and VW class action lawsuit alleges the turbocharger defect affects the following Volkswagen and Audi 1.8L and 2.0L vehicles:

• 2012-2014 VW Beetles
• 2009-2012 VW CC
• 2009-2012 VW Eos
• 2008-2012 VW GTI
• 2008-2014 VW Jetta
• 2008-2010 VW Passat
• 2009-2014 VW Tiguan
• 2008-2012 Audi A3
• 2009-2013 Audi A4
• 2009-2013 Audi A5
• 2012 Audi A6
• 2009-2012 Audi TT
• 2011-2012 Audi Q5

The engines in these vehicles reportedly have an exhaust gas turbocharger with a vacuum-operated internal wastegate that harnesses the exhaust gases to spin an axial turbine and compressor, supplying pre-compressed air to the engine cylinders for combustion when fuel is injected.

“When functioning properly, the class engine turbocharger increases torque and horsepower of class engines on demand,” the Audi class action lawsuit says.

However, the exhaust manifold and turbine side of the turbochargers allegedly create vibrations that can prematurely wear out the wastegate, causing it to become nonfunctional.

The VW turbocharger defect manifests shortly after the limited powertrain warranties expire, the Audi and VW class action lawsuit asserts.

VW, Audi class action lawsuit says automakers knew of turbocharger defect but concealed from consumers

Kimball says Audi and VW were aware of the turbocharger defect based on pre-production testing, design failure mode analysis, consumer complaints, warranty and replacement data from dealerships and other information available to the automakers. Despite this knowledge, they allegedly concealed the turbocharger defect from consumers.

In 2017, Volkswagen and Audi faced allegations that they concealed an engine defect that caused engine failure and required owners to pay hundreds of dollars to fix.

Do you own an Audi or Volkswagen vehicle? What do you think of the allegations in the VW class action lawsuit that the automakers concealed a turbocharger defect? Let us know in the comments below!

Kimball is represented by Gary S. Graifman of Kantrowitz Goldhamer & Graifman PC and Thomas P. Sobran of Thomas P. Sobran PC.

The Audi, VW class action lawsuit is Julie Kimball v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Case No. 2:22-cv-04163, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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