Volkswagen drain valves clog and leak water, damaging the air filters and engines.
July 29, 2021 – A settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen Touareg over drain valves that clog and cause water to damage air filters and engines.
The VW class action includes:
“All persons and entities that have purchased or leased a 2015-2017 Volkswagen Touareg, imported and distributed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in the United States and Puerto Rico.”
The two Touareg owners who originally filed the lawsuit claim that the drain valves on the 2015-2017 Volkswagen Touareg do not allow the water to drain properly from the engine compartments.
This causes water to build up in the bottoms of the airbox, damaging the air filters and, in some cases, being absorbed into the engines. This can also allegedly lead to sudden engine failure, an issue that allegedly requires VW to repair or replace the engines under warranty.
According to the plaintiffs, the problems with the drain valve can damage the “[c]Cylinder block[s] and all internal parts ”and their“ cylinder head[s] and all internal parts. “
Although Volkswagen agreed to settle the class action lawsuit, the automaker denies any defects in the vehicles or the drain valves.
The lawsuit argues that Volkswagen should offer a comprehensive program to repair or replace the drain valves and / or engines in all vehicles in the class and / or buy back all vehicles in the class and all members of the class and sub-class at all costs and to fully reimburse economic costs and to replace losses. “
VW Touareg class action settlement conditions
Nothing is official until the judge gives final approval, but the settlement doesn’t include buybacks, engine replacements, or a full refund, but the drain valves can be removed if an owner so wishes.
After the comparison, affected Touareg customers are offered a service campaign to have the dealers remove the drain valves. A dealer will also install a new air filter, but only if the filter is wet or shows signs of water damage.
VW Touareg customers have one year from the date of the class action suit or the first day the service suit becomes available, whichever is later.
VW Touareg drain valve partial reimbursement program
The class action settlement includes a partial refund program for customers who have spent money repairing water damage to the “air intake system, air filter, engine, turbocharger, or intercooler of a comparison-class vehicle caused by a clogged drain.” Valve.”
A customer may be eligible for a 75% reimbursement of the cost of repairs related to the drain valves.
However, the partial refund program has limitations.
The settlement states that partial reimbursement is limited to expenses that have not already been paid “by the defendant, an authorized Volkswagen dealer, an insurer, extended warranty providers, or any other third party who has paid all or part of the expenses “, were refunded.
If engine repairs have been carried out by a non-Volkswagen dealer, the customer is entitled to a 75% refund up to a maximum of $ 9,909.
“For example, if the repair bill exceeds $ 9,909, the peer group member will be eligible for a seventy-five percent (75%) refund of $ 9,909.” – Settlement of the VW Touareg lawsuit
Volkswagen is also not liable for work carried out by a non-VW dealer and no reimbursement will be given for “damage resulting from abuse, alteration or modification, collision or accident, vandalism and / or other external causes”.
VW Touareg customers must submit valid forms and the required proof of repair and costs.
The Touareg owners who filed the lawsuit will each receive $ 5,000 and their attorneys are expected to receive $ 775,000.
The VW Touareg class action lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the New Jersey District: Crandell, et al., V. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc, et al.
The plaintiffs are represented by Bursor & Fisher.
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