A group of Volkswagen Atlas owners has filed a class action lawsuit against Volkswagen Group of America, alleging that 2021-2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles have defective braking systems. The lawsuit claims that these defects create safety hazards, with issues including loud noises and erratic braking behavior. The plaintiffs accuse Volkswagen of failing to address these defects despite consumer complaints.
Key Highlights:
- Eight Volkswagen owners have filed a lawsuit, alleging defective brakes in Atlas models.
- Alleged defects include high-pitched squealing, grinding noises, and unpredictable braking.
- The lawsuit claims VW knew about the issues but labeled them as “normal operation.”
- Plaintiffs are seeking damages, fees, and a jury trial.
The lawsuit, filed on October 11 in California federal court, involves Volkswagen owners from California, New York, and Illinois. The plaintiffs accuse Volkswagen of violating state and federal consumer laws by knowingly selling vehicles with defective brakes.
According to the lawsuit, the defective braking systems produce a high-pitched squealing and grinding noise, which can startle drivers and pedestrians. In addition, the brakes reportedly exhibit erratic behavior, leading to concerns about the safety of both drivers and passengers. The plaintiffs claim that drivers have had to modify their braking habits to compensate for these defects, increasing the risk of dangerous driving situations.
The lawsuit further alleges that Volkswagen was aware of the problems but chose not to act. Customers who reported these issues to dealerships were allegedly told that the defects were a part of the vehicle’s “normal operation”. The plaintiffs are seeking to represent all owners and lessees of the affected models and are pursuing damages, fees, and costs, as well as certification of the class action.
In addition to this case, five other Volkswagen and Audi drivers have filed a class action lawsuit, alleging that both companies sold vehicles with dangerous defects without properly informing consumers.
The plaintiffs in the current case are represented by Leland H. Belew, Alex R. Straus, and Mitchell Breit of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC. The case, Robert Wright et al., v. Volkswagen Group of America Inc., is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case No. 5:24-cv-02171).
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