Volkswagen Fuel Economy Class Action Settlement

Volkswagen has agreed to pay $96.5 million to resolve claims that their vehicles were marketed with misleading statements about fuel economy.

The settlement benefits current or former owners or lessees of various gasoline engine Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, or Bentley vehicles. More information about which vehicles are included is available in the “Who’s Eligible” section below.

Plaintiffs in the Volkswagen class action lawsuit claimed that various vehicles from Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Bentley were misrepresented as having good fuel economy ratings. To support their claims, the plaintiffs pointed to a 2016 discovery by the California Air Resources Board, which allegedly revealed that Volkswagen vehicles utilized an emissions cheat device during testing. This device allegedly lead to discrepancies in fuel ratings.

The discovery sparked numerous class action lawsuits around the country, alleging that Volkswagen and their subsidiaries deceived consumers into purchasing their products with misleading fuel and emissions ratings. These claims were later consolidated into a multidistrict litigation.

The plaintiffs claimed that the affected vehicles were unable to reach the promised fuel efficiency and, even without reaching the desired fuel performance, emitted far more CO2 than was represented by Volkswagen. According to the plaintiffs, they were tricked into paying a higher price for the vehicles based on these false fuel ratings.

In June 2016, Volkswagen AG agreed to pay up to $24.7 billion in settlements with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to resolve emissions claims against them. The company also agreed to settle consumer fuel economy claims against them in September 2019 with a $96.5 million settlement.

For original or sole owners of the affected vehicles, the settlement will provide payments between $518.40 to $2332.80. Lessees, former owners, and non-original owners will receive prorated payments from the settlement. Class Members can estimate their payment amounts using the settlement website’s estimated payment calculator.

In addition to providing monetary payments, the settlement will revise Volkswagen’s fuel economy labels to keep this information accurate.

In order to benefit from the settlement, Class Members must file a valid claim form by May 29, 2020. Claim forms require various types of documentation, with specific requirements detailed on the settlement website and in the “Proof of Purchase” section below.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was Jan. 17, 2020. The final approval hearing was scheduled for Feb. 28, 2020.

Who’s Eligible

Current or former owners or lessees of various gasoline engine Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, or Bentley vehicles. The following vehicles are eligible for the settlement:

Consumers can also check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the settlement website to see if they are eligible.

Potential Award

Between $518.40 to $2,332.80 for original or sole owners of the affected vehicles. Prorated payments are available for lessees, former owners, and non-original owners. Class Members can estimate their payments using the settlement website’s estimated payment calculator.

Proof of Purchase

For current owners who retained their vehicle as of Aug. 30, 2019, one of the following documents is required: Purchase agreement, bill of sale, title, registration from time of purchase, DMV registration history, or financing agreement reflecting VIN and purchase date of the vehicle. Proof of vehicle registration is also required.

For former owners who sold their vehicle before Aug. 30, 2019, one of the following documents is required: Purchase agreement, bill of sale, title, registration from time of purchase, DMV registration history, or financing agreement reflecting VIN and purchase date of the vehicle. A sale agreement reflecting sale date is also required.

For current lessees who leased their vehicle as of Aug. 30, 2019, claims must include a lease contract or proof of monthly lease payment reflecting VIN and date of lease agreement as well as proof of vehicle registration.

For former lessees who terminated their lease before Aug. 30, 2019 and did not purchase off lease, claims must include a lease contract or proof of monthly lease payment reflecting VIN and date of lease agreement as well as proof of final lease payment, lease termination agreement or lease completion letter reflecting end date of lease agreement.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

A PDF version of the claim form is also available to be printed, filled out, and mailed to the settlement administrator.

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

5/28/2020

UPDATE: The court has granted an extension of the claims deadline, moving the cut off from March 29 to May 28, 2020.

Case Name

In re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Product Liability Litigation, Case No. 3:15-md-02672, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

2/28/2020

Settlement Website

www.VWMPGSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Volkswagen Fuel Economy Settlement
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3240
Portland, OR 97208-3240
info@VWMPGSettlement.com
1-855-942-0395

Class Counsel

Elizabeth J. Cabraser
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

Defense Counsel

Robert J. Giuffra Jr.
Sharon L. Nelles
William B. Monahan
Laura Kabler Oswell
SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP

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