Dangerous Engine Defect in Certain Volkswagen Tiguan Vehicles Causes Excessive Oil Consumption, Class Action Lawsuit Alleges

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges 2022-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles are equipped with defective EA888 2.0-liter TSI engines that consume excessive amounts of oil between regularly scheduled service visits.

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According to the 33-page complaint, engines plagued with the apparent defect consume abnormally high amounts of oil at levels that cannot be reasonably anticipated. As such, the issue poses an extreme safety hazard to drivers, passengers and pedestrians because it can cause the engine to fail suddenly while the car is in motion, the case argues.

The filing notes that the alleged oil consumption defect also frequently forces drivers to add quarts of oil between scheduled changes to prevent catastrophic engine damage or failure.

Per the suit, Volkswagen has been aware of the apparent defect since as early as 2008 yet failed to warn consumers, recall affected vehicles or offer a suitable fix free of charge. The lawsuit alleges the defendant refuses to perform warranty repairs, and when drivers report the oil consumption defect, authorized dealerships merely add more engine oil as a band-aid solution.

“[Volkswagen] has and will continue to benefit from its unlawful conduct—by selling more vehicles, at a higher price, and avoiding warranty obligations—while consumers are harmed at the point of sale as their vehicles continue to suffer from the unremedied Oil Consumption Defect,” the case stresses.

The lawsuit was filed by a Georgia resident who claims the oil warning light appeared on her dashboard after driving her new 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan for only about 2,500 miles.

Upon visiting the Volkswagen dealership, representatives topped off the oil and stated that this level of consumption was “normal,” the complaint says. For reference, Volkswagen recommends getting an oil change once every year or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The plaintiff asserts that she returned her vehicle to the dealership on five more occasions at approximately 2,000-mile intervals to complain about the same low engine oil level warning. Despite these repeated visits, the woman’s engine remains unrepaired and continues to excessively consume oil, the suit contends.

The complaint claims that the oil consumption defect is the result of faulty piston rings in the EA888 engine that fail to create a tight seal between the piston and the engine’s cylinder wall, which allows oil to pass into the cylinder combustion chamber where it burns off. The suit notes that beyond posing a safety hazard, the issue causes increased exhaust emissions.

The lawsuit looks to represent individuals or entities who purchased or leased any 2022-2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle.

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