Volkswagen Faces Class Action Over Alleged Oil Consumption Defect

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims 2022-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs have an oil consumption defect that causes engine problems and safety risks.

Consumers Affected: Owners and lessees of 2022-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan SUVs.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Vicinage

Volkswagen Group of America is in hot water with a new class action lawsuit accusing the automaker of knowingly selling 2022-2023 Tiguan vehicles with a significant design flaw. 

Drivers claim the defect causes excessive oil consumption, leading to engine issues, safety risks, and mounting out-of-pocket costs for repairs. Despite reportedly knowing about the problem for years, VW allegedly failed to fix or disclose it, leaving customers in the dark, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit also accuses VW of deceptive practices, stating the company routinely denies the existence of the defect and refuses to provide free repairs even when vehicles show symptoms. 

VW Tiguan SUVs Suffer from Oil Consumption Defect, Lawsuit Claims

Stacy Zeiders of North Carolina and Calvin Westlund of Maryland filed the proposed class action lawsuit, both alleging significant problems with their 2022 Tiguan vehicles.

Zeiders, who purchased her Tiguan in Pennsylvania in 2021, says she noticed engine hesitation and sputtering noises shortly after purchase. Dealership staff dismissed her concerns, attributing them to "normal" behavior. 

By March 2024, she discovered the car’s oil levels were alarmingly low despite adhering to VW's recommended maintenance schedule. Over the following months, she repeatedly had to top off her oil—often adding as much as two liters at a time. Despite multiple visits to VW dealerships, Zeiders claims she was left with no solution beyond a prolonged "oil consumption exam" requiring her to drive the defective car for 600 miles.

Westlund has faced similar troubles. After purchasing his Tiguan R-Line Black Edition in 2022, he first encountered the low-oil warning in late 2023. His dealership refilled the oil but insisted there was no underlying issue. 

However, by late 2024, Westlund was refilling his oil every few weeks and experiencing additional problems, including delayed acceleration and jerking. He fears the defect poses a safety risk, as the vehicle’s low-oil warning light has reportedly failed to activate during critical moments.

Defect Causes Engine Issues and Safety Risks, Consumers Allege

The lawsuit claims the defect lies in the Tiguan’s piston and piston ring assembly, which allows engine oil to seep into the combustion chamber and burn off prematurely. This not only forces owners to top off their oil more often than specified by VW but also risks engine stalling, failure, and higher emissions.

Compounding the issue is an allegedly inadequate positive crankshaft ventilation (PCV) system, which fails to manage the pressure caused by combustion gases entering the crankcase. According to the lawsuit, this design oversight reduces engine performance and longevity while increasing maintenance costs.

VW Accused of Failing to Address Defect and Misleading Consumers

According to the lawsuit, VW has been aware of excessive oil consumption issues in its vehicles for over a decade. Internal testing, customer complaints, and even technical service bulletins reportedly alerted the company to the problem. However, the lawsuit claims VW failed to warn consumers or provide effective solutions, opting instead for complex testing procedures that rarely result in repairs.

The suit highlights a 2024 TSB acknowledging the issue but offering no concrete fix. Plaintiffs allege that VW’s inaction amounts to fraudulent business practices that violate consumer protection laws.

Other Automakers Face Similar Lawsuits Over Alleged Defects

Volkswagen joins a growing list of automakers facing lawsuits over alleged defects. 

Toyota, for example, is battling multiple cases, including claims of faulty door locks, peeling paint, and deceptive marketing of maintenance plans. Honda has been sued over similar paint issues and defective infotainment systems, while Porsche faces allegations of battery defects in its Taycan EVs.

In their lawsuit against the automaker, Zeiders and Westlund want to represent anyone in the country who purchased or leased a 2022-2023 Tiguan. They are suing for violations of Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices Act and Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, as well as breach of implied warranty of merchantability, breach of express warranty, and unjust enrichment. They are seeking damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, restitution, and injunctive and declaratory relief.  

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Zeiders, et al. v. Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-11197-BRM-JSA 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Vicinage 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Benjamin F. Johns, Samantha E. Holbrook, and Andrea L. Bonner (Shub & Johns LLC)

Do you own a 2022-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan? Have you experienced any issues with oil consumption? Share your experience in the comments below.