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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
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33 thoughts onVW Audi Oil Sludge Class Action Lawsuit Settlement
I just purchased a 2002 VW Passat 1.8T from the original owner.
87K miles on the vehicle.
Not a word was said from the owner and when searching the pros and cons before the purchase we read NOTHING about the oil pressure /oil sludge issues.
On the drive home some 150 + miles. . . . . .the alarms went off. . . . .STOP VEHICLE. . . . .Ice ran through my vain’s. What the hell! We stopped 4 for more times on the way home. Bottom line, as a new owner of an old problem am I too late for the class action settlement? Any advice is welcomed any time as I’m not sleeping nights now!
Thank you.
I sent my info and the letter was returned to me even though I used the address noted. And, when I click on the link above…..it tells me it is not a correct email address. Scam?
I am the owner of a 2003 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 Turbo Engine, and am experiencing Engine problems. I would like to know more about the Class Action Lawsuit and if I am eligible to file a claim.
My 1999 Volkswagen Passat oil sludge settlement wasn’t reimburse to by VW. My repair bill was $1,9000 from City Volkswagen in Chicago, IL. This repair was done in June of 2007. I am still waiting for the reimbursement for the 1999 Class Action Settlement.
Audi A4 2004. 59,800 miles. I just ran into this problem and called the settlement hotline. they told my my car doesn’t qualify anymore since it was put into service December 2003 that will put me beyon the 10year\120000miles even though i have half those miles on it that will explain why this is only happening now.
Does anybody know if there is an extension or a different program or something or anybody i can contact regarding this issue.
S
I am the most recent idiot who purchased an 03 Audi A4 Quattro. The day after I signed for this “as is” vehicle, the emergency oil light came on. I called the dealership and brought it in the following day. The sales person checked the oil level and suggested bringing it in the following monday. When I brought it in the following monday sales took it to the service dept. The vehicle was gone for about 40 minutes and then returned to me. The said they ran a computer diagnostic, concerning the dash oil light, and hadn’t found any error codes. They also admitted to resetting the scheduled maintenance in dash calendar. Purchased in Mid March, I have driven this vehicle off the lot twice, and locally, near my residence, with out indication of resolution to the red oil light. Two days ago i took it to the Audi dealership and described my observations to the service rep. It is currently undergoing a low oil pressure test.
At the present I fear for the worst regarding my 2 month old ($9300 purchase) and pray that in good faith all parties (purchaser dealership, Audi, and myself can resolve the issue of this mechanical defect without myself incurring charges of $20000 total, definitely displacing my low income family.
I have a 2004-2005 Jetta GLI 1.8T and just suffered this sludge/metal particles issue where I was driving and suddenly my dash was flashing “low oil pressure” “turn of engine”…which i did and towed jetta home and just completed dropping my oil pan; cleaning filter that was completely clogged with metal particles. checked the sensor, ran clean oil thru several times checking for more particles; purchased new filter, bolts, synthetic oil oil filter and other parts pertaining to this issue. always maintianed 3000 mile oil change intervals with only full synthetic oil, and only use OEM or genuine VW parts. However, I do not know if my year vehicles qualifies under this class action settlement. Can anyone answer my question if i qualify? and if so, who can i contact.
Thanks
I have a 2006 VW Passat 1.8 T and I am having the same problem and I am having to put oil in car every 1500 miles. Not real happy How can I get in on a Class action law suit!!
My ’02 Passat quit on me last Nov. 2013. I replaced the engine at a VW dealership. They never mentioned anything to me about this lawsuit, but told me (on paper) that the engine failure was due to an ‘oil sludge’ problem. The repair cost me over $7000. Is this lawsuit still in effect? I see that there is an apparent cut off date for filing a complaint as of June 27, 2011. Who can tell me if there has been an extention?
My 2004 A4 suffered catastrophic damage at 94,000 miles due to the sludge issue. Ausi denied my claim because the settlement court allowed them to supply a narrow list of VIN numbers that would be covered.
I am filing suit against Audi and welcome others to join me.
Hi there can you tell me what happened with your case because I have Audi A4 2004 too.