Volkswagen owners from across the nation filed an additional class-action lawsuit against VW’s U.S. manufacturer and distributor for allegedly using software to cheat emissions tests, according to consumer-rights law firm, Hagens Berman.

The firm is continuing to expand its national suit alleging that the automaker deceived consumers by using the software – called a “defeat device” – which allows its “CleanDiesel” vehicles to emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at levels up to 40 times higher than legal limits during normal use.

In the suit filed Sept. 23, 2015 – the third filed by Hagens Berman against VW regarding its use of fraudulent software – owners of CleanDiesel Volkswagen automobiles from many states accused Volkswagen Group of America of fraudulent concealment, false advertising and violations of federal and state laws.

Hagens Berman has filed additional lawsuits with clients on Sept. 21, 2015, and also filed the first suit brought against Volkswagen regarding the emissions-cheating software, on Friday, Sept. 19, 2015. The firm expects to have cases on file with class representatives from every state by the end of this week, following an unprecedented response from the first filed complaint.

After receiving thousands of inquiries from outraged owners of VW and Audi “CleanDiesel” cars, the firm is continuing to expand its lawsuit and is seeking information from affected owners in all 50 states. If you own one of the vehicles listed below, contact our legal team now.

According to the EPA, Volkswagen installed its deceptive software, called a “defeat device,” in at least the following diesel models of its vehicles: Jetta CleanDiesel (model years 2009 – 2015), Jetta Sportswagen (model years 2009 – 2014), Beetle and Beetle convertible CleanDiesel (model years 2012 – 2015), Audi A3 TDI (model years 2010 – 2015), Golf CleanDiesel (model years 2010 – 2015), Golf Sportswagen CleanDiesel (model year 2015), and Passat CleanDiesel (model years 2012 – 2015).

From reference to Volkswagen’s MSRP on its website, vehicle owners who purchased Volkswagen’s diesel vehicles paid anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000 more for vehicles with the diesel engines, as opposed to the same models with standard gas engines.

The lawsuit states that during normal operation, these vehicles emit NOx at up to 40 times the standard allowed under U.S. laws and regulations. During emissions tests, the software in the Volkswagen and Audi diesel vehicles detects testing, and turns on full emissions controls, but only during the test.

“Hundreds of thousands of consumers put their trust in VW when they looked to its ‘CleanDiesel’ line for an efficient, environmentally conscious diesel option,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman. “But for years, VW cheated the system. Its TDI line of fast but ‘good-for-the-environment’ cars seemed too good to be true, and they were.”

Berman was lead counsel in the $1.6 billion Toyota settlement for plaintiffs who suffered loss of vehicle value, and took on GM following its ignition switch defect recalls. Berman also championed a suit brought by vehicle owners against Hyundai and Kia for falsely stated MPG in the automakers’ vehicles that culminated in a preliminarily approved $255 million settlement.

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in 10 cities. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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