- New class action targets VW and Audi EA888 engines.
- Plaintiffs cite oil consumption and leaks in 2.0-liter fours.
- Complaint spans 2018-26 models like Tiguan, Jetta, and Q5.
Tuners love Volkswagen’s ubiquitous 2.0 liter turbo engine, but not all owners of cars fitted with the EA888 inline four are so thrilled to have one under the hood. They’re plaintiffs in a new class action lawsuit claiming certain modern VW and Audi models suffer from excessive oil consumption that can snowball into bigger mechanical headaches.
The lawsuit filed in New Jersey alleges defective piston rings allow too much oil to work its way into the combustion chambers. Once burned, that oil supposedly creates carbon buildup that can cause the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve to stick. The complaint also claims crankcase pressure rises, causing seals and gaskets to fail.
Related: Drivers Say Their Popular SUVs Burn Oil Like It’s Free But VW Calls It Normal
According to the filing, the domino effect can include cracked plastic oil pans, leaking timing covers and fouled spark plugs. In some cases, VW-Audi drivers report rough running, warning lights and engines that struggle to accelerate. Others say they’re simply topping up oil between scheduled changes more often than expected – something drivers of early EA888s will be familiar with.
Models named in the complaint span a wide range of 2018-26 vehicles. On the Volkswagen side, that includes Tiguan, Atlas, Passat and Jetta GLI variants, while Audi models such as the Q3, Q5 and Q7 are also listed. In short, it’s a lot of crossovers and family cars that you see on every city block, not just niche performance trims.
Useless Warranty
Plaintiffs argue the issue is covered under warranty but claim dealers have refused to honor repairs beyond replacing failed parts with what they describe as equally defective components. They also allege diminished vehicle value as a result of the alleged defect.
That’s for the courts to decide, and there’s no guarantee the automaker will be forced to offer compensation. Just last year a class action suit alleging faulty PCV valves in the same VW engines was dismissed after the judge ruled that the Alabama-based owner bringing the case had failed to show her car was unfit for purpose, Car Complaints reports.
Coming Back For More
One detail that piqued our interest in the new case is the car history of one of the plaintiffs. Loretta Moutra from Texas leased a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan in January 2019 which has allegedly leaked oil from the beginning, filings show. She ended her lease and in April 2022 she leased a 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan that also suffered oil leaks, so she ended that lease in January 2024. What’s she driving now? Yep, it’s another VW, a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, apparently. Has she heard of Toyota?
