Judge Charles R. Breyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has granted preliminary approval of the VW dirty diesel emissions fraud settlement reached on June 28 with private plaintiffs represented by the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC). This resolves civil claims regarding eligible Volkswagen and Audi 2-liter TDI vehicles in the United States.
Individual class members will now receive notification of their rights and options under the dirty diesel agreement. Volkswagen will begin the settlement program immediately after the Court grants final approval to the class settlement, which is anticipated on October 18, 2016.
Under the proposed dirty diesel settlement, eligible customers have two choices: (1) they can sell back their vehicle to Volkswagen or terminate their lease without an early termination penalty, or, (2) keep their vehicle and receive a free emissions modification, if approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Customers who select any of these options under the settlement will also receive a cash payment from Volkswagen. More information about the program can be found at www.VWCourtSettlement.com.
What Dirty Diesels Are Covered
The following 2.0L TDI engine vehicles are included in the proposed 2.0L TDI settlement program:
VW Beetle VW Golf VW Jetta VW Passat Audi A3
2013- 2015 2010-2015 2009-2015 2012-2015 2010-2013; 2015
Volkswagen continues to work with the EPA and CARB on an approved emissions modification for each of the 2-liter TDI engine vehicles listed above. Volkswagen is also trying to secure approval of a technical resolution for affected vehicles with a V6 3.0L TDI engine as quickly as possible.
Department of Justice Consent Decree
In addition to the proposed class settlement, Volkswagen has entered into a separate Consent Decree with the United States Department of Justice (acting on behalf of the EPA), CARB and the California Attorney General and a separate Partial Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment with the United States Federal Trade Commission on these dirty diesel TDI vehicles. Volkswagen has also resolved current and potential consumer protection claims of 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The agreements are not an admission of dirty diesel liability by Volkswagen. By their terms, they are not intended to apply to or affect Volkswagen’s obligations under the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction outside the United States. The company continues to work to resolve other outstanding legal matters in the United States.
