Class Action Investigation Looks into Leaky VW, Audi Sunroofs
Last Updated on April 26, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- April 26, 2023 – VW Sunroof Leak Settlement Preliminarily Approved
- United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan has granted preliminary approval to the Volkswagen panoramic sunroof class action settlement detailed on this page.
Judge Cogan signed off on the settlement on April 24, 2023, describing the deal as “fair, reasonable and adequate.”
Details about the settlement, including who’s covered and what benefits are available to eligible Volkswagen and Audi drivers, can be found here. - April 21, 2023 – Volkswagen Agrees to Settle Class Action Over Leaky Sunroofs
- Volkswagen has agreed to settle a proposed class action case that alleged certain VW and Audi vehicle models were plagued by leaky panoramic sunroofs.
The proposed settlement, if approved by the court, will offer eligible drivers warranty extensions, reimbursements for covered repairs and other benefits.
Read more about the settlement here.
ClassAction.org will update this page if and when the deal receives preliminary approval from the court and when an official settlement website is posted. - March 27, 2020 – Lawsuit Filed in California
- Another lawsuit has been filed over the allegedly leaky sunroofs – this time, in California. Read the details here or fill out the form on this page if you want to learn more about your options as an Audi or VW driver.
- January 8, 2020 – Lawsuit Filed in New York
- A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in New York district court over an alleged defect that can cause the panoramic sunroofs in certain Audi and Volkswagen vehicles to leak. The complaint alleges Volkswagen has known of the apparent leaky sunroof defect for years yet has actively concealed the problem from drivers while refusing to cover repairs under warranty.
ClassAction.org’s write-up of the lawsuit can be read here. To learn more about what you can do, fill out the form on this page.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Drivers of certain Audi and Volkswagen vehicles who had their panoramic sunroofs leak.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed over this issue. But first, they need to hear from owners and lessees who had their sunroofs leak to learn more about the problem and determine whether it stems from a defect.
- Which Vehicle Models Are Affected?
- The full list can be read below.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against Audi and Volkswagen following reports of leaking panoramic sunroofs in certain vehicle models.
The attorneys are looking to determine whether the problem stems from a defect in manufacturing or design and whether the automakers could be forced to pay for drivers’ repair costs as a result.
Which Models Are Under Investigation?
Attorneys are looking into the following models – manufactured from 2012 onward – over the leaking sunroof issue.
- Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
- Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
- Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Audi A2
- Audi A3
- Audi A4
What’s Causing the Sunroofs to Leak?
It has been suggested that the outer sunroof seal fails to properly adhere to the body of the vehicle, which can allow water to leak through.
A technical service bulletin distributed by Volkswagen in September 2017 involving 2015-2018 Golf SportWagen and Alltrack vehicles stated that “water leaks may occur around the perimeter of the sunroof frame, between the frame and the body of the vehicle…[and] may also be found leaking through the sunroof cable guides in the sunroof frame.” Despite this bulletin, the company has failed to alert consumers to the issue or recall the cars.
Audi issued a recall in 2017 over leaking sunroofs in certain Q5 vehicles but only after it was found that the water could saturate and damage the airbags.
What Problems Have Drivers Reported?
The following is a sample of complaints posted online from drivers who experienced leaks with their panoramic sunroofs [sic throughout].
We recently bought a 2018 Atlas and experienced a similar leak. The VW dealer still has our car and is trying to locate the source of the leak (which they think may be coming from the seams of the sunroof) and fix it. After a heavy rain last week, water was running down the rear view mirror and dripping down the center dash and center console…After the initial leak, I experienced some electronic issues (front screens did not immediately turn off after I turned the car off, the rear heat continued to run for 30 minutes after the car was turned off, and when I pushed buttons on the rear temperature control panel, the screen would turn off, then on, then off.”
— JTATUM, VWAtlasForum.com
After a fairly significant rainstorm, my Audi had water throughout the interior with more water leaking in on the floor of the front passenger area (all windows and sunroof closed tight). When the car was started, it initially started operating only to stall and no longer go into gear... after another day, dealer reported yes that the drain was clogged, the transmission module was fried and they would now fix the drain, replace all interior carpet and the transmission module for a mere $4,800.”
— Audi A4 owner, RepairPal.com
I have a 2016 Volkswagen SportWagen. It has a big sunroof, and a big leak. Ounces drip down from the overhead center console onto the stereo faceplate, around the headliner, down the front driver pillar and out the tweeter that's mounted at the base of the pillar. This is the second time I've had it in for several days to be fixed, along with headliner replacement, sunshade replacement, etc.”
— Jeff, Courant.com
How Could a Lawsuit Help?
A lawsuit could help owners and lessees get back the money they spent fixing their sunroofs and force Volkswagen and Audi to recall and/or offer a fix for the sunroof problem. Drivers could also be compensated for their vehicles’ loss of value.
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