Keller Rohrback Expands Nationwide Class Action Lawsuit Against VW

On September 23rd, attorneys from Keller Rohrback filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Germany-based Volkswagen AG on behalf of consumers who purchased Volkswagen "clean" diesel cars that, in fact would have been more accurately described as "dirty" diesel cars.

Keller Rohrback's most recent complaint adds claims against Volkswagen's German parent corporation as well as claims under the laws of numerous additional states with regard to Volkswagen's deceptive practice of installing “defeat devices” in diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests.

"Every grade school student knows not to cheat on tests. Volkswagen cheated, and it got caught,” said Gretchen Freeman Cappio, a partner at Keller Rohrback experienced in consumer protection and environmental class actions. “Now it has to face the consequences, and that means repairing not just dirty cars, but the damage they’ve done to their customers.”

Since the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced the “defeat device” cars are emitting nitrous oxide up to 40 times what is allowable, Volkswagen has admitted that approximately 11 million vehicles worldwide, including nearly a half million cars in the United States, are affected by its deception.

As explained in Keller Rohrback’s lawsuit, “This action is not about corporate negligence; rather, it is about a global auto manufacturer’s intentional deception of well-meaning, conscientious consumers and regulators, and its large scale, misguided plan to profit by gaming the system rather than playing by the rules.”

For years Volkswagen marketed their cars as “clean” and “green” vehicles. Consumers believed they were driving low-emission vehicles without forfeiting performance. As a result of this deception, consumers are facing decreased fuel economy, reduced performance, and diminished value.

Keller Rohrback L.L.P. is a leading consumer protection firm with extensive experience in environmental litigation. Since filing one of the first defeat-device lawsuits against Volkswagen, Keller Rohrback has received responses from hundreds of concerned consumers from around the country.

If you or a family member owns or leases any of the affected vehicles described below, or if you are concerned that your vehicle may be affected, please call attorneys Gretchen Freeman Cappio, Matthew Preusch, Ryan McDevitt, or Daniel Mensher at 866.560.4043 or via email at [email protected] to discuss our investigation and your potential claims against Volkswagen.

According to the EPA, the affected models and model years (“MY”) include:

• Jetta (MY 2009 – 2015)
• Jetta Sportwagen (MY 2009-2014)
• Beetle (MY 2012 – 2015)
• Beetle Convertible (MY 2012-2015)
• Audi A3 (MY 2010 – 2015)
• Golf (MY 2010 – 2015)
• Golf Sportwagen (MY 2015)
• Passat (MY 2012-2015)

Keller Rohrback L.L.P., with offices in Seattle, Phoenix, New York, and Santa Barbara, serves as lead and co-lead counsel in class actions throughout the country. Our Complex Litigation Group is proud to offer its expertise to clients nationwide, and our trial lawyers have obtained judgments and settlements on behalf of clients in excess of seven billion dollars.