Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Thousands of Volkswagen and Audi owners have started receiving class action settlement notices in the mail regarding problems with engine performance and failure from oil sludge. If you’ve ever owned or leased a 1997-2004 Audi A4 or 1998-2004 Volkswagen Passat, you may be eligible to receive certain benefits from the class action lawsuit settlement.
The VW and Audi oil sludge class action lawsuit alleges that the 1.8 liter turbo engines in these vehicles were overly prone to the formation of oil sludge and coking deposits. These deposits cause engine performance to deteriorate and cause abnormally high incidences of engine failure even when maintained according to the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations. The oil sludge class action lawsuits further charged Volkswagen and Audi with failing to honor an 8-year unlimited warranty extension that was instituted in 2004 after the companies began receiving consumer complaints about the oil sludge problems.
You’re considered a class member of the VW and Audi oil sludge settlement if you’ve ever owned or leased one of the following vehicles:
* Model year 1998-2004 Volkswagen Passat equipped with a 1.8 liter turbo engine
* Model year 1997-2003 Audi A4 or A4 Cabriolet equipped with a 1.8 liter turbo engine
* Model year 2004 Audi A4 or A4 Cabriolet equipped with a 1.8 Llter turbo engine
As a class member of the VW oil sludge settlement, you’ll have the opportunity to request reimbursement of unpaid claims for oil sludge related engine repairs and engine replacements, as well as certain reasonable associated expenses under the 8-year/unlimited mileage extended warranty offered by VW and Audi in August 2004. If you can provide proper documentation, you’ll receive a 100% reimbursement of your last two required oil changes. If you can’t provide proper documentation, you’ll receive a 50% reimbursement of your last two required oil changes.
All oil sludge settlement class members who currently own or lease one the Class Vehicles will also receive revised oil maintenance recommendations.
Current owners and lessees of 2001-2004 model year Class Vehicles will also be eligible for an enhanced oil sludge warranty extension (10 years/120,000 miles) based on specific conditions.
Current owners and lessees of 2001-2004 model year Class Vehicles will receive a $25 discount off the price of an oil and filter change on their vehicle.
If you wish to receive any of these benefits from the Passat and A4 oil sludge class action lawsuit settlement, you must submit a valid claim form, and proper documentation if you have it, by June 27, 2011. You will have until February 3, 2011 to object or exclude yourself from the settlement.
More information about your individual rights as a VW or Audi owner in the Volkswagen Audi Oil Sludge Class Action Lawsuit Settlement, including instructions for filing a valid claim, can be found at the Settlement Administrator’s website at www.VWOilSludgeSettlement.com.
Updated December 30th, 2010
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
33 thoughts onVW Audi Oil Sludge Class Action Lawsuit Settlement
I had a 1998 Passat and the engine failed even though it was maintained regularly. I sent in all the receipts that I could find (I sold the car after I replaced the engine) and have not heard anything to date. I would just like to know if I will get anything out of this lawsuit. It cost approx $5000 to replace the engine.
2007 A4 1.8 turbo….Change oil regulary just got $3400 bill from mechanic. Oil sludge. everything rebuilt.
There were lots of problems with my 2002 VW Passat and was sent to the dealer for inspection from 2002-2004. This model was ranked very high on the Consumer Reports in 2001 and 2002 and I was so disappointed.
1. There were recalls on the emission control.
2. The windshield glass was not strong enough, and easy to break,
3. When I put air in the tire, the inner tire extruded like baloon and burst while the pressure is okay.
4. The accelerator all of a sudden reduced to about half
when I step on it while I drove.
The last problem I experienced is the oil pressure problem. The oil level is okay, but the oil pressure warning light was blinking and on while I drove and was finally dead. I follow everything the handbook said, but the instruction is not enough to handle the situation like thie. It was sent to the dealer for inspection, they asked for $1000 deposit and I found that they take all the spark plug off, and seems to have some engine problems, so I took it back because there were so many expected problems. The dealer had suggested me to sell the vehicle for $5000 when the vehicle is only 2+ year old.
I had filed a lawsuit in the court earlier, but the court made me lost this case. Up to now, I am not convinced.
The performance of the car is a joke. It is like a trashy tool. I was out of the state for medical reason, so I cannot file the claim in time.
My husband had the same problem with his 2006 2.0T Passat. Oil pump was replaced-the car was at the VW dealership for a month and it cost $5500 to be replaced.
I have had the same problems with my 2006 VW Passat. diry oil changing oil every 3 to 4 weeks, thermostat problems camshaft, engine light,airbag light,these cars are lemons.
I have a 2006 A4 Audi with 82,000 miles…my engine failed last Sunday, I took it to the dealership which quoted me a price of $9,200 to fix, but they brought the cost down to $5,885 inclusive…has anyone else experienced the same problem??? The “idiot” light came on, but by the time the damage was done….
The Passat 2006 (2.0T) has given me problems from the word go. Bought new, all sorts of “small” problems but in `09, started problems with the hi pressure fuel pump, cam shaft andlobe. Claimed warranty repair, one part cvhanged, lasted for a few months. In October 2010, lodged a formal complaint, it took a year to get an answer. Car repaired on October 27/2011. Further minor repairs and on October 26th 2012, the sprocket wheel holding the chain and activating the valves, slipped the chain and snapped it. Asked Volkswagen Canada for repair under warranty of previous repair but refused, claiming the sprocket wheel was exhibiting normal wear. After a year? I wonder. Do other people have similar problems and are you willing to start a class action. This sort of shenanigans has to stop.
I have an audi a4 2003…we should file another law suit they are still selling these cars i hsd this car for two months
I just had a turbo 1.8 liter 2000 volkwagen new beetle engine freeze. Why weren’t the beetle turbo 1.8 liter engines included in the class action? will there be a new class action for the beetles?
has anyone else had this problem with their vw new beetle turbo?
I just bought a 01 passat 1.8t two weeks ago with 90k. My engine just seized from oil sludge. Every VW tech I asked before I bought this was like “yea.. Their great cars!” now I find out it’s a common problem.. WTF!!