The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal
It’s has been called the “diesel dupe”. More than a half-million VW cars being sold in America had a “defeat device” – or software – in diesel engines that could detect when they were being tested, changing the performance accordingly to improve results. The German car giant has since admitted cheating emissions tests in the US.
This scandal affects the Audi A3, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Golf or Volkswagen Beetle. The company has also been accused by the EPA of modifying software on the 3 litre diesel engines fitted to some Porsche and Audi as well as VW models. VW has denied the claims, which affect at least 10,000 vehicles.
Consumers have been left wondering how it affects their VW and whether it will pass state inspections. First, you need to know that VW has admitted to violating “federal” emissions laws, therefore, its neither a state nor a safety issue. However, if a recall is issued, it could prevent owners from renewing their registration if they do not complete the fix. In addition, this could make the vehicle difficult to sell, substantially affecting its value.
The EPA has cited the following vehicles for emissions violations:
- 2009–2015 Volkswagen Jetta0L TDI
- 2010–2015 Volkswagen Golf0L TDI
- 2010–2015 Audi A30L TDI
- 2012–2015 Volkswagen Beetle0L TDI
- 2012–2015 Volkswagen Passat0L TDI
- 2009–2015 Audi Q70L V-6 TDI
- 2009–2016 Volkswagen Touareg0L V-6 TDI
- 2013–2016 Porsche Cayenne Diesel0L V-6
- 2014–2016 Audi A60L V-6 TDI
- 2014–2016 Audi A70L V-6 TDI
- 2014–2016 Audi A8/A8L0L V-6 TDI
- 2014–2016 Audi Q5 3.0L V-6 TDI
If you own one of these VW vehicles and are contacted to join a class action lawsuit, you need to speak with a lawyer. The California Lemon Law Expert, Patrea Bullock is here to help. When there is a class action lawsuit, if you do not “opt-out”, you are in the class and stuck with whatever settlement they work out. In my opinion, almost no one should remain in a class action, because in my experience, they result in the consumer getting less than maximum damages they would be entitled to by bringing their own individual lawsuit. Since under the lemon laws the manufacturer must pay the consumer’s lawyer, there is no downside.
You do not have to join a class action to make a claim against Volkswagen.
Some issues these VW owners may experience are:
- lower resale value
- decreased performance if the vehicles are retrofitted with technology to address the excessive emissions
- decrease in fuel efficiency
The Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it easier to enforce warranties on vehicles and California offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive Lemon Laws, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, which covers all vehicles purchased or leased in California with a warranty. The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act automatically recognizes warranties of merchant-ability and fitness for a particular purpose for vehicles sold in California.
If you own or lease an Audi A3, A6, A7, A8/A8L, Q5, Q7, Volkswagen Passat, Jetta, Golf, Beetle, Tourareg or Porsche Cayenne Diesel and you are concerned about how the recent VW emissions scandal might affect you, contact the California Lemon Law Expert, Patrea Bullock today.
Protect your rights and your investment with a FREE consultation – call 916-672-8443.
