Volkswagen of America

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the vehicle manufacturer for allegedly changing maintenance specifications which resulted in higher oil change costs. Owners of 1997-2004 Audi A4s and 1998-2004 Volkswagen Passats were notified by letter that they would need to use more expensive synthetic oil, over less expensive petroleum-based oil. According to the suit, the cost of oil changes on these vehicles more than doubled. Furthermore, even if owners had complied with the new requirements specified in the letter, engines could fail due to the use of the previously required oil filter. Vehicle warranties are honored only for owners who can prove they have maintained their vehicles on schedule.

Posted by
kathryn
on September 11, 2017

2011 VW Tiguan
Engine failure @ 71K miles
We change our oil ever 4500-6000 miles. We've loved our Tiguan & are gentle drivers. The other day our Tiguan seemed fine, other than a front bulb that burnt out. Went to get in & it would not turn over. VW dealer said the timing chain jumped & result of whatever happened is a new engine is needed. Fearing VW will not stand behind their product & it's a total loss of value. What can be done????????

Posted by
California
on February 12, 2010

Oil sludge causing sensor to go off continuously and I have changed most components with hundreds of dollars of repairs.

Posted by
Pennsylvania
on January 14, 2010

Oil light came on in November--3 months after the warranty expired. Was already fixed once (took 6 weeks). Now VW is telling me that it is going to be $8,000 to fix since they did the cheap fix while it was still under warranty.

Posted by
California
on December 17, 2008

Due to clogged sunroof drain tubes, the headliner (interior part of roof) was drenched in heavy rain; dealer said if not attended to immediately, the computers could be damaged resulting in even greater expense.

Posted by
Virginia
on October 9, 2008

Bought 2003 Passat used around May 2004 in Richmond, VA from a non VW dealership. Was not told or informed about this problem and what alternative actions to take with increased oil changes, synthetic oil and keeping all receipts by VW. The result is my car needs a new engine.

Posted by
Florida
on January 2, 2008

on 12/31/2007, the engine failed completely. After being out of pocket for the car to be towed to the dealership, I am now being requested to prove all oil changes. I have passed along every oil change receipt I have and yes the maintentance is within the guidelines of VW. I have always used synthenic oil in the car from the day it was new and continue to use it until now. I am being told that since several of the oil changes have a greater lapse than 6000 miles, because the station that did the change did not record the milage on two the oil changes, they will not cover the repair. The estimated costs are over $4,600.00. The car is a 2003 Passat with 72,000 miles.

Posted by
Pennsylvania
on November 15, 2007

I have been without my car for over a week with no resolution in sight. Volkswagen seems impossible to fight and the hours I've spent trying have caught up with me. I am contacting you because there are thousands of people in the same situation. Someone needs to get involved and stop them from taking advantage of people.

Posted by
Pennsylvania
on November 10, 2007

We religiously changed our oil and did the maintainance we were supposed to. The car is defective and it seems to be common knowledge. Now we are without a car.

Posted by
Oregon
on October 23, 2007

I paid over $25,000 for a 2002 VW 1.8T Jetta that now is worthless due to a failed transmission going bad well before it should. VW America says there is nothing they can do. I am being stuck with a $6,000 bill to put in a new transmission. There are many people this has happened to. I have a small child, I'm out of work, this has left my family in a terrible situation for transportation. VW American evidently offered one guy $1,000 off a new VW for this problem. If that is true, then they are admitting some fault.

Posted by
Michigan
on July 19, 2007

I own a 2001 Audi TT with a 1.8T engine. I had to replace the engine because the oil sludge burnt out the Turbo , the upper heads and rings. I contacted Audi USA and they said sorry can not help you because the car is out of warranty.

This was a terrible experience and costly.

Posted by
Ohio
on July 5, 2007

At 61,837 miles my engine failed and I had to have it towed to the local dealer. First, I had to have a $105 diagnostic test done for them to say it was the engine (which I already told them) then they said it would be $800 to dismantle the engine to see if it was just a matter of parts or if the whole engine was shot. Once they figured out that the top half of the engine was fried they told me to search for receipts of maintenance on my VW. I have maintained my car thru a family friend's garage since I purchased it in 2003. I provided VW with my receipts and the rep is now saying that the engine is fried because I do not have proof that the oil used in the oil changes was synthetic. Furthermore, since I also did not have the 20-40-60,000 mile inspections thru a dealer that they will not cover my repairs under the warranty. My manual never said synthetic oil had to be used and I never received a letter stating such. They want $8200 to fix my inoperable vehicle and account this engine failure to be my fault.

Unhappy 2003 VW Passat Driver

Posted by
Connecticut
on July 3, 2007

They have had my car for two days and will not even look at it until I agree to be responsible for a $500.00 charge to check my engine or until they review my receipts to determine if they will warranty my car.