Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi vehicles that contain 1.8L and 2.0L TSI and TFSI EA888 engines manufactured between 2008 and 2012 are the vehicles that have been identified as affected.

“We believe the timing chain defect is a major safety issue for drivers. The defect can potentially cause the vehicles to stop mid-journey placing the occupants of the affected vehicles in imminent risk of danger,” said Shine Lawyers' Class Actions Expert, Vicky Antzoulatos.

Similar actions have arisen in the US District Court in New Jersey and Florida.

Vehicles believed to be affected in Australia are:

Audi 2008 – 2012 Models:

A3

A4

A5

Q3

Q5

TT

Skoda 2008 – 2012 Models:

Octavia

Octavia RS

Skoda Superb

Volkswagen 2008 – 2012 Models:

Beetle

Eos

CC

Golf

Golf GTi

Golf R

Jetta

Passat

Scirocco

Tiguan

“Our research indicates that there could be 300,000 of these vehicles currently on Australian roads. Many of these vehicles have already manifested the defect, but many may not have,” Ms Antzoulatos says.

“Given what we know about this issue from the US litigation, it is alarming that VW, Skoda and Audi have not sought to address this issue in Australia. They are potentially gambling with peoples’ lives. Drivers could be driving a faulty vehicle and be completely unaware of it. Drivers may also have incurred significant expenses having their vehicles repaired without being aware that the vehicles contain a major defect, being the timing chain tensioner.

We would encourage all drivers of the mentioned vehicles to register their concerns on our website,” warned Ms Antzoulatos.

Background

By way of further background, class action litigation relating to the same timing chain defect are currently underway in the United States. It was confirmed that in April of this year the U.S. Court granted preliminary approval of the proposed settlement of the seven consolidated class actions. The settlement will provide up to full reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair costs for group members who suffered failures of their timing chain system and will provide a generous extended warranty for the timing chain and timing chain tensioner to eligible group members who have not experienced the timing chain failure in their vehicles.

For eligible group members who had repairs performed by an authorised dealer, the defendant will issue checks reimbursing 100% of the repair costs paid. For replacements/repairs to the engine caused by the failure of the timing chain system, the defendant will reimburse up to 100% of the amount paid to the Defendants’ authorised dealers, depending upon mileage and time in-service of the vehicle. For repairs conducted by an independent service station, defendants will reimburse group members up to $6,500 USD for engine repair/replacement, and up to $2,000 USD for repairs/replacement of the timing chain system or certain components. In addition, the defendants will extend the warranties on the vehicles to cover timing chain system failures for up to 100,000 miles/10 years from the in-service date.