in Newswire Published on March 21, 2022

Volkswagen Hit with Class Action Over Alleged Wiring Harness Defect Plaguing 2019-2022 Vehicle Models

Sherrod et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Filed: March 18, 2022 ◆§ 2:22-cv-01537

A class action alleges a number of 2019-2022 Volkswagens are equipped with a defective door wiring harness that can cause erratic vehicle behavior.

Defendant(s)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

Law(s)

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act Tennessee Consumer Protection Act

State(s)

New Jersey

Categories

Automotive Defective Products False Advertising Fraud Class Action Settlement

A proposed class action alleges a number of 2019-2022 model year Volkswagens are equipped with a defective door wiring harness that can cause erratic vehicle behavior, posing a significant safety risk.

The 58-page lawsuit says that the “widespread” wiring harness problem allegedly affecting 2019-2022 model year Volkswagen Atlas, Golf, Jetta, Tiguan and Taos vehicles can cause a car to apply the emergency brake and/or open and close the windows all on its own. The problem can also cause a vehicle to display numerous error messages and emit warning noises, the suit claims.

Cited in the case is a March 15, 2022 Associated Press report wherein one driver described the effects of the apparent wire harness defect as though her car was “possessed.”

The lawsuit alleges that Volkswagen has known of the wiring harness defect yet “actively concealed” the true nature and extent of the problem from drivers at the time of lease or purchase. Moreover, the automaker has not issued a safety recall of affected vehicles or been able to adequately repair the defect, the suit says.

“To begin, VW has not provided its dealerships with [an] adequate replacement wiring harness, and thus when Class Vehicle owners complain about the defect and seek a repair they are told parts are unavailable,” the case states, claiming that some Volkswagen owners have been forced to wait months for parts “with no end in sight.”

Further, the complaint alleges Volkswagen has refused to provide drivers with loaner vehicles while they await repairs of the wiring harness problem, leaving consumers to either continue experiencing the erratic behavior linked to the defect or cease using their vehicles altogether. The case says that even drivers whose Volkswagens are repaired with a replacement wiring harness have reported that the apparent fix did not work.

The lawsuit looks to cover all consumers or entities who bought or leased any 2019-2022 Volkswagen Atlas, Golf, Jetta, Tiguan or Taos vehicle in the United States.

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