Date 11/03/2017
I have a VW Passat (engine no. – WVWH103C3AA000799, Registration No. – TN07 BJ6646 )
My car had a manufacturing defect (as admitted by Volkswagen in their) chain tensioner failure so the total engine damage . When Iam returning from my native to Chennai ON11/02/2017 with my family the car stopped while commuting on a highway putting the lives of my family and me in danger as truck just about missed our car by a few inches. The car was towed away to the workshop which cost me 12700rs after 5-6 hours o[censored]s waiting there with the my family in the middle of the road, still recovering from the trauma just suffered from the unforeseen malfunction.
Having explained the almost miraculous escape we had from a life threatening accident by a just few inches due the carelessness of the company I presumed that the Volkswagen would respond to it with priority; but; to my surprise even after about 2 months of reporting the incident I didn’t even get a call from someone responsible enough to handle this only the service person namely Mr.Selvam from pondichery is trying with his counterpart. Such is the competence of Volkswagen in India.
After many weeks of chasing them, they finally offered quote for the total engine replacement, while I kept insisting that the vehicle ran only 50, 000 km and also confirmed by the Pondichery authorized service that it is due to defective part. They kept saying that the warranty expired for a vehicle which ran for mere 50000km and taken care and serviced by reputed and authorized Tvs sundaram in Chennai.
Already these type of problems occurred in Usa and Europe for which Volkswagen responded in positive way to keep the brand in high.
For a car worth Rs. 28 lakh, the brand is extremely incompetent of handling the after sales service for a car of this segment. I can only sympathize with other customers of Volkswagen who own any of their products.
I would also request anyone having cars with engine number in the same series to be aware of a similar defect in the car.
Still Iam waiting for Volkswagen India to support the Indian customer and not to expect the customer to bear the total cost for a manufacturing defect (Chain tensioner fault accepted by Volkswagen that the model before 2012 are all having this fault and rectified by new designed chain tensioner for the cars after 2012).Kindly take necessary steps to resolve before we get exhausted and to take legal action.
Please find the below evidence accepted by Volkswagen
A class action lawsuit filed by 24 plaintiffs from 17 different states alleges that Volkswagon and Audi hid a known engine defect from purchasers of certain 2008 through 2013 model cars. The complaint asserts, “Defendants wrongfully and intentionally concealed a defect in the timing chain system” of VW & Audi vehicles with an EA888 engine.
According to the Audi and VW engine defect class action lawsuit, the hidden defect “presents a significant safety risk” because “when the Timing Chain System suddenly and unexpectedly fails, Class Vehicles lose engine power” and “drivers and occupants of the Class Vehicles are at risk for rear-end collisions and other accidents.”
This most recent VW and Audi class action lawsuit over an alleged timing tensioner hidden defect joins two previous lawsuits with similar allegations against both car manufacturers from May of this year. The first Volkswagen lawsuit was filed by a plaintiff from New Jersey who alleges that his 2012 VW Jetta timing chain failed from because of the latent defect. The second lawsuit was filed by a plaintiff from Connecticut who claims that his 2011 Volkswagen GTI catastrophically failed because of the same defective timing chain tensioner system.
Like the previous lawsuits, this class action alleges that a latent defect in the tensioner system of the timing chain can cause the chain to “jump a tooth” in the vehicle’s camshaft, which causes serious and sometimes fatal damage to the engine. The complaint contends that the defect is impossible for car owners to discover, but Audi and Volkswagen knew of the tensioner system problem since at least June 2010. Normally, the timing chain is meant to function perfectly for at least 120, 000 miles, the class action states, because the system is not on the schedule for recommended maintenance from the manufacturers. However, with the defective tensioner, the timing chain frequently fails well before that mark, but often after the warranty has expired.
The class action lawsuit alleges that Audi and Volkswagen failed to inform customers of the latent defect prior to purchase or lease of the affected vehicles. In Addition, “Defendants refused to fully reimburse or compensate certain Plaintiffs for vehicle repair expenses or provide a suitable substitute or replacement vehicles” to fix or reimburse consumer who were affected by the engine defect.
The latest VW & Audi engine defect lawsuit requests to certify a Class of all persons “in the United States who purchased, own, owned, lease or leased a 2008 through 2013 model year 2.0L TSI or 2.0L TFSI VW or Audi vehicle containing the defective Timing Chain System.” The complaint asserts that Audi and Volkswagen violated the consumer protection laws of Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington, and asks for subclasses for residents of those states. The lawsuit seeks restitution, including treble damages and punitive damages under various state consumer protection laws.
The 24 plaintiffs are represented by James E. Cecchi and Lindsey H. Taylor of Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, P.C., Gary S. Graifman and Jay I. Brody of Kantrowitz Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C., Joseph H. Meltzer, Peter A. Muhic, Melissa L. Troutner, and Ethan Barlieb of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, and Thomas P. Sobran of Thomas P. Sobran, P.C.
The VW & Audi Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Dena Stockalper, et al., v. Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, et al., Case No. 2:16-cv-04346, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Posted in News
May 23, 2016 — A Volkswagen timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges numerous VW and Audi vehicles have defects in the timing chain tensioning systems that cause complete engine failure. The proposed class-action lawsuit includes many VW and Audi vehicles.
• [protected] and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
• [protected] Volkswagen CC
• [protected] Volkswagen EOS
• [protected] Volkswagen Golf
• [protected] Volkswagen GTI
• [protected] Volkswagen Jetta
• [protected] Volkswagen Passat
• [protected] Volkswagen R32
• [protected] Volkswagen Rabbit
• [protected] Volkswagen Routan
• [protected] Volkswagen Tiguan
• [protected] Volkswagen Touareg
• 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid
• [protected] Audi A3
• [protected] Audi A4
• [protected] Audi A5
• [protected] Audi A6
• 2012 Audi A7
• [protected] Audi TT
• [protected] Audi Q3
• [protected] Audi Q5
• 2012 Audi Q7
Plaintiff David Zimand says he leased a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition with a 2.0-liter TSI engine in April 2009, and in 2012 bought the same vehicle from the same dealership.
In March 2014, Zimand’s 2009 VW Jetta experienced the tensioning system failure which caused catastrophic engine failure. After a trip to a dealer, the plaintiff claims he had to pay to replace the camshaft, chain, chain tensioner, brackets, valves, and numerous other engine parts.
The VW and Audi A3 vehicles are equipped with EA888 2.0L TSI engines with engine codes CCTA or CBFA. The remaining Audi vehicles are equipped with EA888 2.0L TFSI engines designated with engine codes CAEB, CAEA, or CDNC. The plaintiff says all the engines with these five codes are versions of the EA888 engine and all use the same timing chain tensioning system.
The lawsuit alleges Volkswagen represents in the warranty and maintenance schedules that the tensioning system is expected to last for about 120, 000 miles without the need for repairs. In fact, according to the plaintiff, owners are provided manuals that do not show any timing chain system inspection or maintenance schedules at all.
The lawsuit says Volkswagen intentionally concealed the timing chain tensioner defects causing owners to spend a fortune to repair or replace the damaged engines. The out-of-pocket expenses can be thousands of dollars, an expense owners say they wouldn't have to pay if VW would have admitted the truth about the defects.
"Timing chain tensioner failure: I had the car towed to my local VW dealer and was extremely surprised upon receiving news that my engine and turbo were blown and both needed to be replaced. I have since persuaded the dealership I purchased from to cover the installation of a replacement engine, but purchasing the new engine and turbo (upwards of $9K for oem) has fallen on me." - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan owner / Fitchburg, Wisconsin
The plaintiff also claims the tensioning system presents a clear and present danger to owners and others on the roads because the engines can fail at any time and leave the vehicles dead in the middle of traffic.
The tensioning system defects, according to the plaintiff, have been present since the vehicles were manufactured and sold. Based on this, the automaker should have known the timing chain tensioner problems would occur during the useful life of the engine.
The lawsuit alleges VW knowingly concealed the defects for the purpose of increasing profit and selling cars. In addition, the lawsuit alleges Volkswagen and Audi have sent several technical service bulletins to dealers describing the problems. The bulletins talked about timing chain tensioner problems going back to 2010.
The Volkswagen and Audi timing chain tensioner class-action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey - David Zimand, et al v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc.
The plaintiff is represented by Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, P.C., and Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP.
Official Timing Chain Tensioner failure thread
A new class action filed on May 20 alleges that Volkswagen and Audi fraudulently sold certain model vehicles knowing that they had a hidden engine defect. In addition, the complaint asserts that VW and Audi knew about the defect, but did not issue a recall or pay for any repairs that occurred outside the warranty period.
The class action lawsuit asserts that “this action arises from Defendants’ failure, despite their longstanding knowledge of a material design defect, to disclose to Plaintiff and other consumers that the Class Vehicles’ 2.0L TSI engines contain timing chain tensioners that are defective and fail prematurely.”
This is the second class action lawsuit to allege that VW and Audi sold vehicles with an inherently defective tensioning system for the tensioning system. The first action claims that the timing chain tensioning system has a defect that can cause the chain to lose tension when the vehicle is off, which can allow the chain to “jump a tooth” in the car’s camshaft and cause serious damage to the vehicle’s engine.
Similarly, this timing chain tensioner defect class action alleges that VW and Audi have designed no less than four different tensioners, and argues that “the existence of four production changes to the timing chain tensioners exhibits flaws in the design and/or manufacture of the timing chain tensioners in the Class Vehicles that Defendants acknowledged and remedied without informing owners and lessees of the Class Vehicles.”
The complaint accuses VW and Audi of actively concealing the known defect, refusing to recall the affected vehicles, and routinely refusing to cover the costs of repair after the defect manifests itself, especially after the warranty period. Audi and Volkswagen violated consumer protection, federal warranty, and anti-fraud laws, according to the complaint. The class action contends that vehicle owners have been harmed by needing to pay for costly repairs, and by losing market value in their vehicles due to the now known defect.
Plaintiff Allan Gaudet states that he bought a 2011 VW GTI in Connecticut on Jan. 1, 2011, and routinely maintained his vehicle. Yet in May of 2016, his GTI “catastrophically failed” due to the timing chain tensioning system while he was driving it, and repairs would have cost him $3, 650. Gaudet claims that had he known about the tensioner defect, he would not have bought his vehicle, or at least he would have paid substantially less for it.
The VW, Audi timing chain defect lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide Class of all purchasers of the following vehicles: “[protected] Volkswagen Golf MK5 GTI, MY[protected] Volkswagen Golf MK6 GTI, MY[protected] Volkswagen Jetta MK5, MY[protected] Volkswagen Jetta MK6,[protected] Volkswagen Passat B6,[protected] Volkswagen CC,[protected] Volkswagen EOS,[protected] Volkswagen Tiguan,[protected] Volkswagen Beetle,[protected] Volkswagen Sportswagen,[protected] Audi A3 8P,[protected] Audi A4 B8,[protected] Audi A5 B8,[protected] Audi MK2 TT .” The class action seeks restitution for all damages to Class Members, including punitive damages under state consumer protection laws.
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Figured it would be nice to gather some info to point folks to.
What is known:
1. Unpredictable failure mileage could be as early as 10k and latest one so far happened at 60k.
2. Full engine replacement is recommended because jumped timing ruins both the head/valves and the bottom end.
3. VW seems to be picking up the tab while car is under the 5 yr 60k powertrain warranty.
4. Happens to tuned and untuned cars.
5. 2008-13 all Years seem to be affected
6. It seems that after 9/12 motor build dates updated tensioners were used
7. There is a TSB currently out on the issue:
Some Ideas for a fix
1.
Updated tensioner as such: Long term durability is still not proven.
http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47082
2. OEM updated tensioner on the LEFT... the retainer on the factory installed tensioner fails... causing the chain to skip timing.
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2011 TDI - DSG/// Only Option- Mudguards.
Mods:Blk HIDs, LED Tails, 17" Sparcos, RNS510, JL Stealthbox.
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Last edited by maxtdi;[protected] at 12:26 PM.
CURRENT CASE
Volkswagen Timing Chain Tensioner Defect – Class Action Investigation
McCuneWright is investigating a potential class action lawsuit on behalf of consumers who own model years[protected] Volkswagens with 2.0L gasoline engines. It has been alleged that the timing chain tensioner is defective and eventually fails due to no fault of the consumer. The timing chain links the crankshaft to the camshaft and, when properly tensioned, ensures the valves and the pistons operate in sync. When the timing chain fails, the valves will begin to collide with the pistons and the engine may begin to rattle or fail to start. Eventually, an improperly tensioned timing chain will cause catastrophic engine failure.
It has also been alleged that Volkswagen has been aware of the defective nature of the timing chain tensioner for years but has failed to inform consumers of the defect and routinely blames the timing chain tensioner failure on improper maintenance. It has been further alleged that in late 2012, a production change was implemented to remedy the defect but Volkswagen failed to inform consumers of the production change.
If you or someone you know purchased or leased a[protected] Volkswagen with a 2.0L gasoline engine and experienced a failure or repair of the timing chain tensioner, please contact us.
R.RAJAMOHAN
+[protected]
Sep 21, 2017
Complaint marked as Resolved Volkswagen India customer support has been notified about the posted complaint.
Verified Support
Aug 19, 2017
Volkswagen India Customer Care's response Dear Sir/Ma’am,
Greetings from Volkswagen Passenger cars!
We value your association with our brand, and appreciate the time you have invested in sharing your feedback.
We understand your query has been resolved and addressed by our dealer partner, request you to kindly mark it as resolved on the consumer forum website.
In case there are any queries un addressed, please feel free to contact us at[protected] or write to us on customer.[protected]@volkswagen.co.in
We thank you for being our valuable customer.
Assuring you our best services always.
Yours’ Sincerely,
Customer Care
Volkswagen Passenger Cars India
For Enquiries/ Complaints[protected]
For Road Side Assistance[protected] /[protected]
E-mail customer.[protected]@volkswagen.co.in.
Website www.volkswagen.co.in
Yours is not an isolated complain regarding negligence and unprofessional and indifferent attitude of Volkswagen it starts right from the senior level management. The company thinks just because its a big cooperate brand and none o[censored]s Indians would waste time to take them to task they behave in this manner and provide us with substandard products poor cheat service I am having proof of their cheating and fraud committed toward me. They have given to me a vehicle with defective parts which they neglected or could not detect or did not change on purpose so that my car could be ruined to a state of beyond reasonable and viable responsible financial repairs Since last six months my vehicle is lying with their service center and there is not a word of response in spite of sending them legal notice. They cannot reply as they know what fraud they have committed
How rightfully in other countries put their MD behind bars for cheating here the process is long but I am filing case against Volkswagen as I have enough evidence to prove their fraud and cheating.
Support from Indian citizens like you who can quote their similar experiences would be a real added advantage to teach these MNC a lesson. Please feel free to contact me.
Aspi Pooniwala
[protected]