Porsche misleading fuel economy emissions $80M class action settlement

Updates:

• The claim deadline has been extended to Dec. 7, 2022.

• A California federal judge agreed to approve an $80 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims Porsche markets its gasoline sports cars with misleading emissions fuel economy ratings.
• On Oct. 21, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said in a Zoom meeting he plans to issue an order signing off on the $80 million deal, which includes a $24 million fee payment to the plaintiffs’ lawyers, Law360 reports. 
• Under the deal, consumers in the fuel economy class will receive $250 to $1,109 per vehicle, depending on their vehicle’s revised fuel economy ratings and how long they have had the vehicle. 

Porsche agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement worth at least $80 million to resolve claims its gasoline sports cars are marketed with misleading emissions fuel economy ratings.

The settlement benefits current and former owners and lessees of certain Porsche Sport+ gasoline vehicles as of June 29, 2022. A full list of covered vehicles can be found on the settlement website.

Porsche is a luxury car brand that sells sports cars and high-end consumer vehicles. Some Porsche vehicles are capable of “Sport+” mode which the company described as a “go-to driving mode.”

Porsche may be the latest member of the Volkswagen corporate family to be exposed for emissions and fuel economy cheating. 

A 2022 class action lawsuit claimed Porsche manipulated the test results of its Sport+ vehicles to appear like these vehicles passed emissions tests. In reality, the vehicles were allegedly “emitting more pollution and obtaining worse fuel economy than Porsche advertised to consumers and represented to regulators.”

To cheat emissions tests, Porsche allegedly altered the hardware and software involved in emissions testing, resulting in testing vehicles that performed differently from vehicles actually sold to consumers. 

In addition, the plaintiffs claim Porsche made misleading statements about its vehicles’ Sport+ driving mode when this mode actually exceeded legal limits for emissions and pollutants in the United States.

“This manipulation was deceptive, illegal, and material to consumers and regulators,” the Porsche gasoline emissions class action lawsuit contends.

Porsche hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to resolve the gasoline emissions claims with a class action settlement.

Under the terms of the Porsche gasoline emissions settlement, class members can collect a cash payment based on their vehicle’s specifications. 

Class members whose vehicles require a Monroney label change can receive up to $1,109.66 based on their vehicle model. These payments are based on calculated fuel economy differences, a gasoline rate of $3.97 per gallon, and a 15% goodwill payment.

Class members whose vehicles do not require a Monroney label change can collect a flat payment of $200. 

All class members can recover an additional $250 if they complete the Sport+ emissions repair offered through the recall or submit a claim for compensation. 

If any funds remain after these distributions, funds may be donated to environmental relief efforts such as the purchase of greenhouse gas credits, environmental projects or environmentally-focused non-profits. 

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Sept. 30, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Porsche gasoline emissions settlement is scheduled for Oct. 21, 2022.

In order to receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by Dec. 7, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits current and former owners and lessees of certain Porsche Sport+ gasoline vehicles as of June 29, 2022. A full list of included vehicles can be found on the settlement website.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Purchase or lease agreement reflecting your VIN and the date you acquired the vehicle; and current registration, or if you no longer possess the vehicle, a sale agreement or other documentation showing when you sold or transferred ownership of the vehicle.

Claim Form

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

12/07/2022

Case Name

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

Final Hearing

10/21/2022

Settlement Website

PorscheGasolineSettlementUSA.com

Claims Administrator

Porsche Gasoline Emissions Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91385
Seattle, WA 98111
info@PorscheGasolineSettlementUSA.com
888-681-2759

Class Counsel

Elizabeth Cabraser
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

Defense Counsel

Sharon L Nelles
SULLIVAN & CROMWELL LLP

Cari Dawson
ALSTON & BIRD LLP