Anne Bucher  |  June 24, 2022

Category: Auto News

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(Photo Credit: nitpicker/Shutterstock)

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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46 thoughts onVW, Audi class action alleges certain vehicles have turbocharger defect

  1. Daniel Avis says:

    I would like to join the lawsuit, have a 2013 passat tdi and had a catastrophic failure of my turbo and don’t know yet if it has caused any engine problems

  2. Gordon Collins says:

    I have a 2009 tiguan that has a turbo issue showing low boost. It also had a catastrophic timing chain tensioner failure causing it to bend all 8 intake valves.

  3. mark says:

    I have an Audi A3 2016 1.8 had to replace my turbo at 60000 miles

  4. Nicholas Wong says:

    Please include me. I have a 2011 Audi A4 I bought new, the turbo was literally the first thing that I paid to replace when I hit 46K miles. Audi at the time “generously” offered to pay for materials.

  5. Vamshi says:

    I would like to join the lawsuit . I have same issues with my Volkswagen Tiguan 2011 and it just has 105 k and I have been shelling out close to $1000 each year to maintain it and now have been quoted $3500 for changing the turbo. Let me know how to join the lawsuit. Thanks

  6. Kim Williams says:

    I have experienced major issues with my 2012 Audi Q5. I have spent thousands of dollars in maintenance to no avail. I had major engine issues with oil consumption. I have gone back and forth with the manufacturer and dealership to no avail. In March 2022, my engine finally gave out despite my adding oil every few days. I ended up sending it back to my financial institution and now am facing paying for a vehicle that I no longer have that was inoperable.

  7. Cheryl Gervasi says:

    I am experiencing same issue with my 2012 Tiguan turbo and am currently scheduled to have it replaced which will cost @$3500 at VW. My vehicle is in excellent condition, with only 92,931 miles. Have always done all the required maintenance, have always serviced my vehicle at the VW dealership and have retained all records. Please feel free to contact me.

    1. Vamshi says:

      Hi, this is VJ here, I am from Illinois. I experience the same problem and now have been quotes $3500 for changing the turbo and opening the values that are shut due to the e turbo engine problems. Let me know the best way to contact you

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