Volkswagen vehicle drain valves clog and leak water which damages the air filters and engines.
The Volkswagen Touareg class action lawsuit has been reached to a settlement over drain valves that clog and cause water to damage the air filters and engines.
The VW class-action lawsuit includes:
“All persons and entities that purchased or leased any model year 2015-2017 Volkswagen Touareg vehicle imported and distributed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in the United States and Puerto Rico.”
The two Touareg owners who filed the lawsuit allege 2015-2017 Volkswagen Touareg drain valves aren’t draining water properly from the engine compartments. This water was collecting in the airbox bottoms damaging the air filters and in some cases leaking into engines.
This can also apparently cause sudden engine failure which allegedly requires that VW repair or replace the engines under the terms of the warranties.
According to the vehicle owners, the drain valve problems can cause damage to the “[c]ylinder block[s] and all internal parts” and their “cylinder head[s] and all internal parts.”
However, Volkswagen agreed to settle this class action lawsuit, and the company denies the existence of any defect with the vehicles or the drain valves.
The lawsuit argues Volkswagen should offer a comprehensive program to repair or replace the drain valves and/or engines in all Class Vehicles, and/or buy back all Class Vehicles, and to fully reimburse and make whole all Class and Subclass members for all costs and economic losses.”
VW Touareg Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Terms
Settlement isn’t finalized until the judge grants final approval, however, the settlement doesn’t include buybacks, engine replacement, or full reimbursements but the drain valves can be removed if the vehicle owner wants it.
According to the settlement, Company will make a service section for affected Touareg owners to have the drain valves removed by dealerships. Additionally, a dealer will install a new filter if the filter is wet or shows any sign of water damage.
VW Touareg owners will have a year from the class action notice date or the first date the service action becomes available, whichever is later.
VW Touareg Drain Valve Partial Reimbursement Program
The class action lawsuit settlement provides a partial reimbursement program for customers who spent money expenses for repairs of water damage to the “air intake system, air filter, engine, turbocharger, or intercooler of a Settlement Class Vehicle that was caused by a clogged Drain Valve.”
A customer may be eligible for reimbursement of 75% of the expenses paid for repairs related to the drain valves.
However, the partial reimbursement program has limitations.
The settlement says that partial reimbursement is limited to expenses that have not already been “reimbursed by Defendants, an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an insurer, providers of extended warranties, or any other third-party entity who paid for all or some of the expenses.”
If damaged engine repairs were performed by a non-Volkswagen dealership, the customer will only receive 75% reimbursement up to a maximum of $9,909.
“Thus, for example, if the amount of the repair invoice exceeds $9,909, the Settlement Class Member shall be entitled to receive a reimbursement of 75% of $9,909.” — VW Touareg lawsuit settlement
Also, Volkswagen won’t be responsible for repairs performed by a non-VW dealership, and there won’t be a reimbursement for “damages resulting from abuse, alteration or modification, a collision or crash, vandalism, and/or other extraneous causes.”
VW Touareg customers will be required to submit authentic forms and proof of repairs and expenses.
The Touareg owners who filed the lawsuit will receive $5,000 each, and the attorneys representing them are expected to receive $775,000.
The VW Touareg class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey: Crandell, et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc, et al.
The plaintiffs are represented by Bursor & Fisher.
Final Thoughts
If you are an automobile owner and having manufacturing issues, you can contact us for a class-action lawsuit. Serious car problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.
At the Lemon Firm, our experienced attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you. Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the Volkswagen class action above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle. Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) 536-6634. The first consultation is free and we can take your case on a contingency fee, meaning that you will not pay a cent unless our experienced attorneys recover money for you. Call us today!
