SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Owners and lessees of Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-liter vehicles are receiving new reminders that they have until September 1, 2018 to submit completed claims for benefits under the historic Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation settlement.
The class action settlement agreement, which was granted final approval by Judge Charles M. Breyer in the Northern District of California in October 2016, provides owners and lessees of Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-liter diesel vehicles substantial compensation through buybacks and lease terminations, government-approved emissions modifications, and cash payments, while fixing or removing these polluting vehicles from the road.
Under the terms of the settlement, Volkswagen created a funding pool of up to $10.033 billion dollars for the consumer class. According to the February 26, 2018 report from the court-appointed Settlement Claims Supervisor, over 536,000 class members have already registered via the settlement Claims Portal, and over 343,000 owners and current lessees have completed a buyback, early lease termination, or an approved modification appointment; Volkswagen has compensated these class members an aggregate amount of over $7.3 billion.
“Eligible consumers will receive substantial compensation by participating in this settlement, while also aiding our environment by removing polluting vehicles from our roads,” said Elizabeth Cabraser, Court-appointed Lead Counsel and chair of the 21-member Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, which negotiated the settlement on behalf of class members. “We strongly encourage those owners and lessees who have not yet filed claims to do so immediately.”
Class members who have not yet completed a claim are urged to note the following dates:
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September 1, 2018 – 2.0-liter Settlement Claims Deadline:
Class members with 2.0-liter vehicles must submit a complete and
accurate claim, including all required documents, by September 1,
2018. Class members who fail to submit a completed claim with all
required documentation by the September 1, 2018 deadline will be
considered untimely and ineligible for settlement benefits.
- To ensure that there is enough time for class members to correct their claim and cure any potential document deficiencies, class members should submit their completed claim and supporting documents by August 1, 2018.
- December 1, 2018 – Signed Offer Letter Submission: Any offer letter from Volkswagen should be signed and submitted back to the company no later than December 1, 2018 to ensure it can be reviewed and approved in time for the class member to complete their chosen remedy before the end of the Settlement Program on December 30, 2018.
- December 30, 2018 – Deadline to Complete Buyback, Early Lease Termination, or Approved Emissions Modification: Any remedy selected by a class member must be completed by December 30, 2018. If class members wait until the last days of the Settlement Program to schedule their closing appointment, lack the required paperwork, or are unable to find an available appointment due to delay in scheduling their closing appointment, they may not be eligible to receive benefits from the settlement.
Consumers who have not yet filed claims will soon receive mailed and e-mailed notices from Volkswagen Group of America reminding them of these important upcoming deadlines.
A second settlement was reached on behalf of owners and lessees of Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche 3.0-liter diesel engines, and these deadlines do not apply to those class members. As of March 7, 2018, Volkswagen has paid over $533 million to the 3.0-liter class members as part of this settlement.
All class members of the Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation can visit www.VWCourtSettlement.com or call 1-844-98-CLAIM to access the Online Claims Portal and submit a claim.
