Sager et al. v. VWGoA

If you are a current or past owner or lessee of certain Audi vehicles, you may be eligible for benefits under a class action settlement.

A nationwide class action settlement, Sager et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Civil Action No. 2:18-cv-13556, was granted preliminary approval by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on December 8, 2020. The Settlement resolves a putative class action lawsuit related to the Electric (after-run) Coolant Pump in certain Audi vehicles purchased or leased in the United States and Puerto Rico.

If you now lease or own, or used to lease or own, certain Audi vehicles that are equipped with a factory installed Electric (after-run) Coolant Pump, you may be entitled to benefits afforded by this Settlement. The lawsuit claimed that the Electric (after-run) Coolant Pump in certain Audi vehicles contained a defect that could potentially lead to a malfunction and is the subject of certain voluntary recalls. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., (“VWGoA”) has denied Plaintiffs’ claims. The Court has not decided in favor of Plaintiffs or Defendant. Instead, both sides agreed to a Settlement with no decision or admission of who is right or wrong. Class Counsel represent Plaintiffs and all other Settlement Class Members, and believe that the Settlement provides substantial benefits and serves the interests of the Settlement Class.

This website features more information about the lawsuit and the proposed Settlement, including Settlement Class Members’ rights and options, the benefits available under the Settlement, important dates and deadlines, frequently asked questions, and important case documents.

Settlement Class Vehicles

The vehicles involved in the Settlement – called “Settlement Class Vehicles” - include the following model and model year Audi vehicles that were distributed by VWGoA in the United States and Puerto Rico:

• Certain 2013-2016 model year Audi A4 Sedan & Allroad*
• Certain 2013-2017 model year Audi A5 Sedan & Cabriolet*
• Certain 2013-2017 model year Audi Q5*
• Certain 2012-2015 model year Audi A6*

*Not every vehicle of these years and models is covered by the Settlement. You can confirm whether your vehicle is a Settlement Class Vehicle by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your vehicle here.

The Settlement Class includes:

All persons or entities who purchased or leased a Settlement Class Vehicle imported and distributed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for sale or lease in the United States of America and Puerto Rico.

Excluded from the Settlement Class are (a) anyone claiming personal injury, property damage, and/or subrogation; (b) all Judges who have presided over the Action, and their spouses; (c) all current employees, officers, directors, agents, and representatives of Volkswagen Group Companies, and their family members; (d) any affiliate, parent, or subsidiary of Defendants and any entity in which Defendants have a controlling interest; (e) anyone who purchased a Settlement Class Vehicle for the purpose of commercial resale; (f) anyone who purchased a Settlement Class Vehicle with a salvage title and/or any insurance company who acquired a Settlement Class Vehicle as a result of a total loss; (g) any insurer of a Settlement Class Vehicle; (h) any owners or lessees of Settlement Class Vehicles that were not manufactured for export specifically into the United States of America or Puerto Rico and were not imported or distributed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.; and (i) any Settlement Class Member who filed a timely and proper request for exclusion from the Settlement Class.

Class Members’ Legal Rights and Options

Do Nothing	You are not required to do anything to remain in the Class. You will be bound by the Settlement if the Court approves it. You may be eligible to qualify for one or all of the following benefits afforded by the Settlement: a free warranty extension to cover repair or replacement by an authorized Audi dealer of a failed turbocharger during certain time and mileage periods. This benefit applies to all qualifying Settlement Class Vehicles and no claim form is required; reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses previously paid for past repair or replacement of Electric (After-Run) Coolant Pumps if you submit a valid, complete and timely claim; and/or reimbursement for certain past rental car expenses incurred during the time that a particular recall (Recall 19O2) was being performed on your Settlement Class Vehicle if you submit a valid, complete, and timely claim. The terms and criteria for eligibility of the Settlement benefits are set forth in the Class Notice and reiterated in FAQs 4, 5 and 6.
Submit a Claim for Reimbursement	The Claim Filing Deadline was June 26, 2021, and late claims are not eligible for reimbursement. However, the Settlement also provides an extended warranty for the turbocharger. The length of the warranty extension depends on the service history of your vehicle. You do not need to file a claim to obtain the extended warranty. The extended warranty does not provide a cash award and only applies to future repairs to the turbocharger as described by the warranty. The extended warranty is administered by Audi. Please contact your local authorized Audi dealership for further information about the turbocharger extended warranty.
Exclude Yourself	Per the terms of the Court-approved Settlement Agreement, the deadline to exclude yourself was May 12, 2021. Any requests postmarked after that date will not be timely.
Tell the Court That You Like, or Object to, the Settlement	Per the terms of the Court-approved Settlement Agreement, the deadline to object was May 12, 2021. Any objections postmarked after that date will not be timely.
Attend the Final Fairness Hearing	The Final Fairness Hearing was held on June 16, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. The Court filed a Final Approval Order on June 22, 2021.