Audi Volkswagen Timing Chain Defects Settlement

If you currently or previously owned or leased a certain model year 2012-2015 Audi A4, A5, or Q5 vehicle, you may be eligible to claim reimbursement from a class action settlement.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged defects in the timing chains and timing chain tensioners of certain Audi vehicles.

Who Can Claim an Award?

The class action settlement includes all persons or entities who purchased or leased a Settlement Class Vehicle in the United States or Puerto Rico. The Settlement Class Vehicles include certain model year 2012-2015 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles. However, not every model and year is covered. You can check if your vehicle is included by entering your VIN in the VIN Lookup Portal on the official settlement website.

Excluded from the Settlement Class are:

• Anyone acting as a used car dealer
• Anyone who purchased a Settlement Class Vehicle for the purpose of commercial resale
• Anyone who purchased a Settlement Class Vehicle with salvaged title and/or any insurance company who acquired a Settlement Class Vehicle as a result of a total loss
• Any insurer of a Settlement Class Vehicle
• Issuers of extended vehicle warranties and service contracts

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

The settlement provides several benefits for eligible class members:

First, VWGoA will extend the New Vehicle Limited Warranties (NVLWs) for the Settlement Class Vehicles to 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the vehicle’s In-Service Date. This extension covers the cost of repair or replacement (parts and labor) of a diagnosed condition of a failed timing chain and/or timing chain tensioner, provided that you adhered to the vehicle’s oil maintenance requirements within a 10% variation of each time and mileage oil maintenance interval.

The Warranty Extension also covers a percentage of the cost of repair (parts and labor) of engine damage caused by a timing chain tensioner and/or timing chain failure, subject to a sliding scale based on the age and mileage of your vehicle at the time of the repair:

• Less than 60,000 miles: 100%
• 60,001 to 75,000 miles: 70%
• 75,001 to 85,000 miles: 60%
• 85,001 to 100,000 miles: 45%
• 5-7 years: 70% (60,001 to 75,000 miles), 60% (75,001 to 85,000 miles), 50% (85,001 to 100,000 miles)
• 7-10 years: 60% (60,001 to 75,000 miles), 50% (75,001 to 85,000 miles), 40% (85,001 to 100,000 miles)
• “Timed-out” as of May 13, 2024: 50% (60,001 to 75,000 miles), 40% (75,001 to 85,000 miles), 30% (85,001 to 100,000 miles)

If you paid for repair or replacement of a failed timing chain tensioner and/or timing chain before May 13, 2024, and within 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever occurred first) from the vehicle’s In-Service Date, you may submit a claim to receive 100% reimbursement of the paid invoice amount for the repair, limited to one repair per Settlement Class Vehicle. If the repair was performed by a non-authorized Audi dealer, the reimbursement is capped at $1,265 for a timing chain tensioner replacement, $1,725 for a timing chain repair/replacement, and $2,000 for both a timing chain tensioner and timing chain replacement.

Additionally, if you paid for a repair of engine damage directly caused by a timing chain tensioner and/or timing chain failure before May 13, 2024, and within 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever occurred first) from the vehicle’s In-Service Date, you may submit a claim to receive a percentage of the paid invoice amount for the repair, subject to the same sliding scale percentages mentioned above. If the repair was performed by a non-authorized Audi dealer, the maximum paid invoice amount for the repair is $7,800.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, proof is required to claim the reward. Claimants must provide the following:

• An original or legible copy of a repair invoice(s) or record(s) documenting the repair
• Proof of payment for the repair
• Documents or records evidencing adherence to the oil maintenance schedule
• If unable to obtain maintenance records, a Declaration detailing the good faith efforts made to obtain the records and attesting to adherence to the maintenance schedule

How to Claim Your Award

To claim your award, you must complete, sign, and date a Claim Form. You can submit your completed Claim Form and supporting documents through the online claim form no later than August 31, 2024. Alternatively, you can mail the completed Claim Form and supporting documents by First-Class mail, postmarked no later than August 31, 2024, to:

Timing Chain Settlement

c/o Settlement Administrator

1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Submitting a Claim

Follow these steps to submit a claim:

1. Complete, sign, and date the Claim Form.
2. Gather all required documents, including repair invoices, proof of payment, and maintenance records.
3. Submit the Claim Form and supporting documents online or by mail.
4. If submitting by mail, ensure the envelope is postmarked no later than August 31, 2024.

How do I Get Paid?

If your claim is approved, your reimbursement will be mailed to you within 120 days of either the date of receipt of the completed claim or the date the settlement becomes final, whichever is later.

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: August 31, 2024
• Deadline to Request Exclusion: June 27, 2024
• Deadline to File an Objection: June 27, 2024
• Final Fairness Hearing: August 14, 2024

When will Awards be Paid?

Awards will be paid within 120 days of the settlement becoming final or the receipt of the completed claim, whichever is later.

Why is there a Class Action Settlement?

The settlement resolves claims that the timing chain tensioners and/or timing chains in certain Audi vehicles were defective and potentially prone to premature failure, which could result in engine damage.

What Happens Next?

The court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on August 14, 2024, to decide whether to approve the settlement. If approved, eligible class members will receive their awards as outlined.