Volkswagen and Audi timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges defects cause engine damage and failure.

May 23, 2016 — A Volkswagen timing chain tensioner lawsuit alleges numerous VW and Audi vehicles have defects in the timing chain tensioning systems that cause complete engine failure. The proposed class-action lawsuit includes many VW and Audi vehicles.

2008-2010 and 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

2009-2013 Volkswagen CC

2008 -2012 Volkswagen EOS

2008-2012 Volkswagen Golf

2008-2012 Volkswagen GTI

2008-2012 Volkswagen Jetta

2008-2012 Volkswagen Passat

2008-2011 Volkswagen R32

2008-2010 Volkswagen Rabbit

2009-2012 Volkswagen Routan

2008-2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

2008-2013 Volkswagen Touareg

2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

2008-2012 Audi A3

2008-2012 Audi A4

2008-2012 Audi A5

2010-2012 Audi A6

2012 Audi A7

2008-2012 Audi TT

2010-2012 Audi Q3

2009-2012 Audi Q5

2012 Audi Q7

Plaintiff David Zimand says he leased a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition with a 2.0-liter TSI engine in April 2009, and in 2012 bought the same vehicle from the same dealership.

In March 2014, Zimand’s 2009 VW Jetta experienced the tensioning system failure which caused catastrophic engine failure. After a trip to a dealer, the plaintiff claims he had to pay to replace the camshaft, chain, chain tensioner, brackets, valves, and numerous other engine parts.

The VW and Audi A3 vehicles are equipped with EA888 2.0L TSI engines with engine codes CCTA or CBFA. The remaining Audi vehicles are equipped with EA888 2.0L TFSI engines designated with engine codes CAEB, CAEA, or CDNC. The plaintiff says all the engines with these five codes are versions of the EA888 engine and all use the same timing chain tensioning system.

The lawsuit alleges Volkswagen represents in the warranty and maintenance schedules that the tensioning system is expected to last for about 120,000 miles without the need for repairs. In fact, according to the plaintiff, owners are provided manuals that do not show any timing chain system inspection or maintenance schedules at all.

The lawsuit says Volkswagen intentionally concealed the timing chain tensioner defects causing owners to spend a fortune to repair or replace the damaged engines. The out-of-pocket expenses can be thousands of dollars, an expense owners say they wouldn't have to pay if VW would have admitted the truth about the defects.

"Timing chain tensioner failure: I had the car towed to my local VW dealer and was extremely surprised upon receiving news that my engine and turbo were blown and both needed to be replaced. I have since persuaded the dealership I purchased from to cover the installation of a replacement engine, but purchasing the new engine and turbo (upwards of $9K for oem) has fallen on me." - 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan owner / Fitchburg, Wisconsin

The plaintiff also claims the tensioning system presents a clear and present danger to owners and others on the roads because the engines can fail at any time and leave the vehicles dead in the middle of traffic.

The tensioning system defects, according to the plaintiff, have been present since the vehicles were manufactured and sold. Based on this, the automaker should have known the timing chain tensioner problems would occur during the useful life of the engine.

The lawsuit alleges VW knowingly concealed the defects for the purpose of increasing profit and selling cars. In addition, the lawsuit alleges Volkswagen and Audi have sent several technical service bulletins to dealers describing the problems. The bulletins talked about timing chain tensioner problems going back to 2010.

The Volkswagen and Audi timing chain tensioner class-action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey - David Zimand, et al v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc.

The plaintiff is represented by Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, P.C., and Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP.