Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Scandal

Philadelphia Class Action Lawyers

In September of 2015, Volkswagen Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn resigned from his position after news of a major scandal broke regarding the emission standards of many of its cars with diesel engines.

The company admitted to U.S. regulators that diesel vehicles issued between 2008 and 2015 were programmed to cheat during air emission tests. “Defeat devices” built into the vehicle were able detect when the vehicle was being tested, and were designed to alter the way the engines run in order to hide their true emissions. Cars that were able to pass testing in the “test mode” were, in reality, emitting 10 to 40 times more nitrogen oxide pollutants than the legal limit on U.S. roadways.

“We’ve totally screwed up… [and] broken the trust of our customers and the public.”

– Michael Horn, VW America

The U.S. Department of Justice responded by launching a criminal inquiry, and other countries will be performing their own investigations as well. Volkswagen may face penalties totaling up to $18 billion (roughly $37,500 per vehicle), according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As many as 11 million vehicles around the world are said to contain the defeat devices.

Impending Penalties for the Volkswagen “Diesel Dupe”

People who believed they were purchasing a low-emission vehicle are understandably upset that they have been deceived. The EPA has plans to force the car manufacturer to recall all affected vehicles in the United States. Owners of affected diesel models, which include the Audi A3 and the VW Golf, Jetta, Beetle, and Passat, can take part in a class-action lawsuit against Volkswagen seeking compensation for the company’s deceptive marketing practices.

Nationwide Class Action Attorneys in Philadelphia

If you are the owner of a Volkswagen vehicle with a diesel engine manufactured between 2008 and 2015, you may be eligible to take part in a class action lawsuit. Contact a Philadelphia class action attorney at Golomb & Honik, P.C. today for more information and a free consultation. We are available to review cases nationwide, so call now to learn more about how we can help you.