Volkswagen issues recalls, faces class actions

Volkswagen recalls, class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Volkswagen recently issued a trio of vehicle recalls. Consumers also filed a pair of class action lawsuits against it. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits and recalls involve vehicle defects.
• Where: The recalls affect Volkswagen owners nationwide. The Volkswagen class actions were filed in California and New Jersey federal courts. 

Volkswagen recently issued a trio of recalls. Consumers also targeted the automaker with a pair of class action lawsuits.

Volkswagen issued the recalls over concerns involving defective Takata-brand airbag inflators, door handles and front passenger airbags. 

The Volkswagen class actions concern allegedly defective braking systems and suction jet pump and fuel tank components. 

Volkswagen recalls 110K+ vehicles containing Takata airbags

Volkswagen issued a recall for more than 110,000 of its vehicles this month over concerns their driver’s side frontal airbag inflators can explode, causing sharp metal fragments to strike the driver or other vehicle occupants. 

The recall involves certain Volkswagen model year 2017-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. 

Volkswagen attributed the issue to driver’s side Takata-brand SDI-D frontal airbag inflators that can explode as a result of degradation of propellant in the inflator after prolonged exposure to adverse weather conditions. 

Hundreds of drivers and passengers in the United States suffered injuries as a result of exploding Takata airbag inflators, resulting in dozens of deaths. 

Volkswagen recalls nearly 100K ID.4 vehicles over door handle concerns

Volkswagen issued a recall for more than 98,000 of its Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles over concerns water can get into their doors through their door handles, causing the door to malfunction and open and putting occupants at risk. 

The recall involves model year 2021-2024 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles produced between Dec. 15, 2020, and Aug. 30, 2024. 

Volkswagen attributed the issue to a possible manufacturing error that built the recalled ID.4 vehicles with door handles that do not meet factory specifications for protection against water entry. 

“Water ingress into the printed circuit board can lead to malfunctions causing an ‘open command’ to the door lock,” the Volkswagen recall says. 

270K+ VW Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport vehicles recalled over front passenger airbags

Volkswagen issued a recall for more than 270,000 VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles in June over concerns they contain defective front passenger airbags. 

The recall involves certain model year 2021-2024 VW Atlas vehicles and model year 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport Vehicles. 

Volkswagen attributed the issue to the passenger occupant detection systems in the recalled vehicles potentially experiencing a fault in their wiring, causing the front passenger airbag to deactivate while the seat is occupied. 

“A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash,” the Volkswagen recall says. 

Volkswagen sold Atlas vehicles with defective braking systems, class action claims

A group of Volkswagen drivers filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker in October over claims the automaker sold certain Atlas vehicles containing defective braking systems. 

The class action lawsuit argues certain Volkswagen model year 2021-2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles contain braking systems that make “loud, distracting noises” and display erratic braking behavior. 

The consumers further claim Volkswagen knowingly manufactured and distributed the Atlas vehicles with defective brakes, which they argue present “significant safety hazards” for both drivers and passengers. 

“The brake defect distracts class members, other vehicle drivers and third parties on the road, endangering their physical safety and well-being due to a loss of concentration and focus while driving,” the Volkswagen class action says. 

Volkswagen, Audi vehicles sold with suction pump defect, class action says

A group of Volkswagen and Audi drivers filed a class action lawsuit against the automakers in August over claims they sold vehicles containing dangerous defects in their suction jet pump and fuel tank components.

The class action lawsuit argues Volkswagen and Audi were aware about the alleged defects found in certain model year 2015-2020 Volkswagen Golf, 2015-2020 Audi A3 and 2022-2024 Volkswagen Taos vehicles yet failed to disclose this information to consumers. 

The defect creates a fire hazard and compromises the engine’s ability to receive fuel, according to the class action lawsuit.

Have you been affected by any of the Volkswagen recalls or Volkswagen class actions? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

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• Stellantis issue recall for Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Durangos
• Ford class action subclasses approved
• Honda class action alleges some vehicles have paint defect