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Car manufacturers Audi and Volkswagen were hit with a class action lawsuit alleging the companies concealed an engine defect that cost consumers hundreds of dollars to fix.
Lead plaintiffs claim in their class action lawsuit that Audi and VW knew that the timing chains in various model year 2008 to 2013 vehicles were defective causing early engine failure.
According to the class action, the defect causes affected vehicles to suddenly lose power, affects acceleration, speed, and steering wheel control, as well as the braking system.
“Class engines use a hydraulic timing chain tensioner actuated by engine oil pressure to regulate tension on the timing chain tensioning rail that applies tension to the timing chain,” describe the plaintiffs in their class action. “This tension keeps the timing chain from jumping the teeth on the sprockets that are attached to the camshafts and crankshaft and maintains synchronization between rotating engine components including the cylinder valves and pistons. Without proper timing chain tension and synchronization, the engine will run very poorly (if at all) and/or, if sufficient chain skip and mis-synchronization occurs, its failure to function properly will cause cylinder valves and pistons to collide, resulting in severe internal damage to the engine.”
The plaintiffs contend in their class action that timing chains generally last for a minimum of 120,000 miles, but the defective timing chains in Audi and VW vehicles can go at any time and put vehicle owners at risk of rear end collisions. The plaintiffs claim that the defect cost a minimum of $1,200 to fix, but if the entire engine needs to be rebuilt, the cost can skyrocket to $10,000.
According to the complaint, the following Audi and VW models are affected by the defect: various models of Volkswagen Beetles, Golfs, Jettas, Passats, Rabbits, Routans, Tiguans and Touaregs, as well as Audi A3s, A4s, A5s, A6s, A7s, Q3s, Q5s and Q7s.
The plaintiffs claim that Audi and Volkswagen committed fraud and negligent misrepresentation by allegedly concealing the defect from consumers. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that the car manufacturers breached express and implied warranties made to consumers by failing to cover the cost of repair. The plaintiffs also claim that Audi and Volkswagen violated the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Florida State consumer laws and were unjustly enriched.
Volkswagen and Audi were hit with several class action lawsuits last summer that similarly complained that the car manufacturers “wrongfully and intentionally concealed a defect in the timing chain system.”
The plaintiffs are seeking to represent a nationwide Class of affected Audi and VW owners and lessees, along with a Florida subclass. The plaintiffs are seeking damages and an injunction, as well as an order requiring Audi and VW to institute a buy back or repair program for affected vehicles and corrective advertising. The plaintiffs are also seeking attorneys’ fees.
The plaintiffs are represented by Peter Prieto, John Gravante, Matthew P. Weinshal and Alissa Del Riego of Podhurst Orseck PA.
The Audi, VW Defective Timing Chain Class Action is Artola, et al. v. Aktiengesellschaft, et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-21296, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
UPDATE: On May 14, 2018, Volkswagen agreed to a settlement that would end a multidistrict litigation claiming that many vehicles’ engines have a timing chain tensioner that’s defective. Volkswagen will cover up to $6,500 in engine repairs and $2,000 in timing chain system repairs to putative Class Members.
UPDATE 2: September 2018, the Volkswagen timing chain defect class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.
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63 thoughts onVW, Audi Class Action Says Companies Concealed Engine Defect
I owned a 2008 pass at and a 2004 jetta. Both gave me serious issues. The Jets went into limp mode on my trip to west Virginia to return my mother home from my place in Somerville, AL. While in West Virginia I had to have it worked on. Cost me $800 just to be able to drive back home. A little shop in parkersburg west Virginia fixed it. It messed up on the way back home so I had to be towed 500 MILES! I toOK IT TO Hiney Volkswagen in Huntsville Alabama and they repaired it again. It cost $1000. It went into limp mode again before I even left Huntsville. I had it towed (Minds towed and and re fixed it with only $100 more in some fees). The car ended up needing to be junked bc the timing chain and water pump were replaced agter that but my car never ran right again. I also had a huge problem with a 08 pass at with turbo. I drove that car 3 days totalbefore it messed up entirely and after paying $3000 to have it repaired by a friend mechanic. I ordered all VW parks but the timing chain and turbo and everything was faulty and I finally had to junk that one as well. These cars are still in my name and I still have the payment history of both of them.
Tori – same issue here, 2012 Q-5 78k miles – lots of low oil notices over the years of ownership and having to add oil, 3 water pump replacements – and last week it stopped running, towed it into Audi New Orleans dealership to get the call that there is piston/valve damage and needs a new engine!
Hope someone can share some path to help to recoup money back from Audi on these lemons! I did get notice & got into the Water-pump Class action but never did see anything on the Oil pressure/Timing chain earlier Class Action – hope someone can shed some light for us – my car is sitting at Audi N.O. with a damaged engine at 78k miles – a shame to Audi on this lack of quality!
Same issue with 2012 Q5 with single owner, only 80,000 miles and serviced at Audi dealership. Apparently my VIN did not fall into the numbers included in the lawsuit, which is ludicrous because the mechanic can clearly see it’s the same issue. Now I have a useless car and potentially $6000 bill that Audi won’t cover. How do we get this case going again with expanded VINs? The fact that we were never contacted by VW/Audi about this potential issue is beyond disturbing.
hi Tori! I go to small claims court in Maryland this June 23, 2020 in an effort to recoup 6500.00 for a replacement engine due to the failed tensioner pulley. I bought my audi 2010 cabriolet in late April 2019 and by August 1st ,2019 I needed a new engine! My Vin qualifies but Audi Is gonna claim I filed months after the deadline. I will keep you and everyone posted on the outcome. I feel that dealerships shouldn’t be allowed to sell the car without that disclosure upfront. Not after the failure.
Hi Reggie,
I might also have to go to small claims court re: 2013 A4 2.0 turbo 77,000 miles. Let us know how it goes!
Few weeks ago the check engine lit up and I had problems starting the car, it would crank. I brought it to Audi of Rockville, MD (where I purchased the car) and now they want $10,500 for service and repairs: Diagnosis found fault code: “Fuel rail pressure too high” and “camshaft/crankshaft correlation”, determined Timing chain is stretched and Tensioner is fully extended. Found fault code for “turbo charger under boost, negative deviation” so they recommended replacing turbocharger replacement. Recommended replacing both driver and passenger side upper control arms and press in new bushings. Also, moderate oil leak in engine, which I brought to Audi’s attention each time I brought it in for service but they were never able to find a problem, they finally found it 4 years later!! I was told my VIN did not qualify for class action lawsuit, but this is unacceptable business and AUDI needs to be held accountable.
I bought a 2012 Audi Q5 3 months ago. It wouldn’t start after the first month. It was covered under the timing chain/tensioner class action lawsuit…..but less than a week after getting it back from Audi dealership it started stalling and little power. Took it back in and they said it’s the wastegate linkage that is attached to the turbo which the entire turbo has to be replaced. They want 4100.00. And said it’s not under the recall. I really wish I would’ve never for this car, especially knowing how deceitful Audi has been and it should be covered under the warranty. I’d like to get ahold of an attorney to see if this should also be covered.
I also bought a 2012 Audi Q5 in January 2019. By August the vehicle was no longer working. I contacted the dealership and they would not help me. The cost were 6500.00, I had to take a hit to my credit by doing a voluntary repo. Audi also would not help. Just horrible…
I have an Audi 2012 Q5 with 54,000 miles. The timing chain went bad destroyed the cylinder head and valves. They told me it would cost $8500 to repair. Several weeks later it is still sitting at the Audi dealership in Asheville, NC, they offered to do the repairs for $7500. So, I have the choice to pay $7500 to fix it or pay to have it hauled to the dump. I Filed a good faith claim with Audi and they said they would not do anything to help because my VIN number was not part of the class action lawsuit. How do we get this timing chain to be part of the class action lawsuit??
Same issue with 2012 Q5 with single owner, only 80,000 miles and serviced at Audi dealership. Apparently my VIN did not fall into the numbers included in the lawsuit, which is ludicrous because the mechanic can clearly see it’s the same issue. Now I have a useless car and potentially $6000 bill that Audi won’t cover. How do we get this case going again with expanded VINs? The fact that we were never contacted by VW/Audi about this potential issue is beyond disturbing. What can we do? They need to be accountable
Hi Tori!
Same thing happened to me. I have a 2013 A4 77,000 miles, serviced in Sept.2019, spent $6,200 for service and repairs. Few weeks ago the check engine lit up and I had problems starting the car, it would crank. I brought it to Audi of Rockville, MD (where I purchased the car) and now they want $10,500 for service and repairs: Diagnosis found fault code: “Fuel rail pressure too high” and “camshaft/crankshaft correlation”, determined Timing chain is stretched and Tensioner is fully extended. Found fault code for “turbo charger under boost, negative deviation” so they recommended replacing turbocharger replacement. Recommended replacing both driver and passenger side upper control arms and press in new bushings. Also, moderate oil leak in engine, which I brought to Audi’s attention each time I brought it in for service but they were never able to find a problem, they finally found it 4 years later!! I was told my VIN did not qualify for class action lawsuit, but this is unacceptable business.
I have just bought a 2010 Audi A5… 3 weeks after purchase… engine failure… Audi Dealer quoted me $14k to repair!
These vehicles should have been recalled!
I also have the same issue with a 2012 Audi Q5.
Who can I contact ??
How do I get added to this?
I have a 2013 Audi A4 with 59k and it appears that my vehicle fits the class action suite currently on the audi corp dealing with the tension/timing chain. I took the car to the my mechanic and without even pulling it apart he immediately recommended me to take it to a local dealership because it fits the current class action suit. I had the car towed over to discover that, although they agreed that yes thats its the same issue they wouldn’t pay for it due to the vin #. That makes no sense because ive done nothing wrong that would cause this and they currently have a class action against this very same issue and because the vin isnt showing i have to pay for the repair cost approximately (3800.00). After disputing my point they gave me a claim number #181756877 = Justin ext # 43509 is handling the claim at Audi Corp of America /1-800-822-2834. My car is Audi / 2013 Allroad Quattro A4 with 59k miles. Its currently being held at Audi of Arlington 3200 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204 1-888-789-5529 (Louis Pena ;Servicing) 703-969-5038
Also, I’m paying for rental car and still paying a car note and im still expected to pay for their sloppy mistake. No! Help….
I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THIS CLASS ACTION SUIT
were you ever given an answer about adding in or getting covered? I have the same issue w/my q5
Same issue with my 2012 Q5, were can we fill this action?
Hi I don’t know you but wanted to known Did you get help about your car?
I have an 2009 A4 And the dealer put in a rebuilt engine 2 years ago and now I owe 5k because if the timing chain failed! I want to join this lawsuit!!