Timing Belt Class Action
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22
From: Fairfield, CT
Timing Belt Class Action
According to the law firm of Pearson Simon Soter et al, notice will be sent out beginning Aug 1 of the prelimnary Settlement agrreement granted on May 19.
Does anyone have more info about this?
EDIT: Link added
Does anyone have more info about this?
EDIT: Link added
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 811
From: South Florida
RE: Timing Belt Class Action
How can they offer a settlement when they can't even agree on the mileage it should be changed? There would be all types of legal disclaimers as there is usually some auxiliary part failure that leads to the damage. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see it.
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22
From: Fairfield, CT
RE: Timing Belt Class Action
From the website linked in my original post:
Audi and Volkswagen Timing Belt Failures
[/align] On June 22, 2007 Pearson, Simon, Soter, Warshaw & Penny, LLPfiled a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen alleging that the timing belts for model year 1999 - 2003 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter turbo-charged engine fail prematurely. The vehicles included are the Audi TT, Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat. The complaint alleges that the timing belts fail prior to the service interval, as stated in the owner's manual. Plaintiff, on behalf of herself and the Class, is seeking reimbursement for the damages incurred relating to timing belt failures. Additionally, the complaint seeks an order requiring Volkswagen and Audi to update their owner's manuals to require periodic inspections.
UPDATE: The parties havereached a class-wide settlement. Preliminary approval of the settlement was granted by the court on May 19, 2008. Claim forms,class notice and other documentation will be mailed on or about August 1, 2008. The court will hold a hearing for final approval of the settlement on November 3, 2008. Complete details regarding the terms of the settlement will be in the notice sent to owners of the class vehicles via U.S. Mail. However, to summarize, for qualifying class members, the settlement provides: (1)100% reimbursement for Covered Engine Damage relating to timing belt failures, including repairing the vehicle, towing, alternate transportation, and lodging expense; (2) an extended warranty; and (3) a revised maintenance program.
[/align] On June 22, 2007 Pearson, Simon, Soter, Warshaw & Penny, LLPfiled a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen alleging that the timing belts for model year 1999 - 2003 Audi and Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a 1.8 liter turbo-charged engine fail prematurely. The vehicles included are the Audi TT, Audi A4 and Volkswagen Passat. The complaint alleges that the timing belts fail prior to the service interval, as stated in the owner's manual. Plaintiff, on behalf of herself and the Class, is seeking reimbursement for the damages incurred relating to timing belt failures. Additionally, the complaint seeks an order requiring Volkswagen and Audi to update their owner's manuals to require periodic inspections.
UPDATE: The parties havereached a class-wide settlement. Preliminary approval of the settlement was granted by the court on May 19, 2008. Claim forms,class notice and other documentation will be mailed on or about August 1, 2008. The court will hold a hearing for final approval of the settlement on November 3, 2008. Complete details regarding the terms of the settlement will be in the notice sent to owners of the class vehicles via U.S. Mail. However, to summarize, for qualifying class members, the settlement provides: (1)100% reimbursement for Covered Engine Damage relating to timing belt failures, including repairing the vehicle, towing, alternate transportation, and lodging expense; (2) an extended warranty; and (3) a revised maintenance program.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 202
From: Appleton, WI
I got information on the timing belt sent to me. They say it's free of charge and should take a 1/2 hour to complete (on top of a normal maintenance check). I got the one on smart keys as well. The verbage on the timing belt lawsuit is difficult to understand. I'm not sure if you have to have normal maintenance checkups that you have to pay for out of pocket to keep the new warranty to 105k or if you just need to get the timing belt alone checked. Anyone know? They say you have to have it done by sometime in September.
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 20
You have to do it at 40K, 80K and have documentation that you did so.
If by chance that you did not get a recommendation either time to change it (what is the likelyhood that at 80K they will not say to change it...) and it breaks before 105K, they will pay for the repairs IF and ONLY IF:
- you have documentation that they saw the car at 40 and 80K
- They did not recommend that you replace it.
There is a little more to it than that, but:
It is basically a worthless settlement and a potential moneymaker for VW/Audi.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 9
yeah. i got the letter.seemed to understand it.i called the dealer.he said to bring in at 80k. i then called audi and they said bring it in before end of sept.i called the law firm that handled the case and they said bring it in when my next oil change is due and taking it in before end of sept wasn't necessary but they said with all the confusion and to keep things simple just take it in as soon as possable and get the free inspection.
i am really suspicious though. whats to stop the dealers from telling everybody they need a belt.you have to pay for the belt out of pocket if it needs replacment due to normal wear according to everybody.if they do the dealer gains due to a retail job and audi wins because they won't have to fix a broken belt later on under warranty.
i take mine in fri for inspection. we'll see what happens.i'll just bet i will have to pay to get my belt replaced .
i am really suspicious though. whats to stop the dealers from telling everybody they need a belt.you have to pay for the belt out of pocket if it needs replacment due to normal wear according to everybody.if they do the dealer gains due to a retail job and audi wins because they won't have to fix a broken belt later on under warranty.
i take mine in fri for inspection. we'll see what happens.i'll just bet i will have to pay to get my belt replaced .