VW Buyers Eligible For Settlement Funds Look For Notice

By Holliday Moore
Howard Fischer
Published: Thursday, August 9, 2018 - 11:23am
vw.com
2015 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Arizonans who bought a Volkswagon manufactured between 2009 through 2015 should start checking their mailboxes for a settlement form worth up to $1,000.

The Arizona Attorney General's office announced buyers who purchased specific new or used VW autos from dealerships will have 90 days to return the forms.

11,000 Arizonans were identified under the state's consumer protection claim against Volkswagen, which AG spokesperson Ryan Anderson said deliberately deceived buyers when the company marketed higher priced autos as cleaner emission models.

He conceded that companies often make mistakes, but explained, "this wasn't human error. This was a widespread attempt to deceive consumers that started at the top up with leadership. Individuals and corporations need to be held accountable."

The settlement is separate from similar state settlements as well as a national lawsuit won by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In all, Volkswagen has had to pay nearly $13 billion in penalties for programming cars to deceive pollution emissions testing.

However, not everyone who bought one of the affected vehicles will get a check.

Those who bought new vehicles from VW dealers are eligible, as are those who bought used vehicles from company dealerships. But others with used cars they bought elsewhere are out of luck.

Anderson said while the claims administrator should have found everyone eligible, some may have fallen through the cracks, particularly those people who have moved and whose mail is no longer being forwarded.

He said information about contacting the administrator is available on the office's web site.

Here's a list of the affected vehicles and model years as noted by the Attorney General's Office:

2.0 liter engines

  • 2009 through 2015 VW Jetta
  • 2009 through 2014 VW Jetta Sportwagen
  • 2010 through 2013 and 2015 Audi A3
  • 2012 through 2015 VW Passat
  • 2013 through 2015 VW Beetle and VW Beetle convertible

3.0 liter engines

  • 2009 through 2014 VW Touareg and Audi Q7
  • 2013 and 2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
  • 2014 Audi A6 Quattro, Audi A7 Quattro, Audi A8L, Audi Q5.
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