A proposed class action alleges that certain Audi vehicles have a defective electrical system causing them to enter “limp mode”—drastic deceleration and loss of speed—with little to no notice. The complaint, filed May 4, 2023, preliminarily suggests the alleged defect is due to the failure of the starter generator and/or alternator.
As alleged in the complaint, owners and lessees of affected vehicles report observing various warning signals on their dashboard shortly before or upon experiencing loss of vehicle power:
- “Electrical system: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle”;
- “Electrical system: malfunction! Please contact Service”;
- “Parking aid: malfunction!”;
- “Transmission: malfunction!”;
- “Rear spoiler: malfunction!”;
- “Drive system: malfunction! Stop vehicle safely”;
- “Traction control: malfunction!”;
- “Tire pressure monitoring system: malfunction!”;
- “Parking brake: malfunction!”;
- “Automatic start/stop system: malfunction!”; and
- “Start/stop system: malfunction!”
The proposed class representatives seek to represent a nationwide class, as well as California and New York classes, representing purchasers and lessees of the following vehicles:
- 2018-2023 Audi A6, A7, A8, and Q7;
- 2018 and 2020-2023 Audi S6, S7, S8, and R8;
- 2018 and 2021-2023 Audi RS 7;
- 2019-2023 Audi Q8;
- 2020-2023 Audi A6 allroad, SQ7, SQ8, and RS Q8;
- 2021-2023 Audi A7 e quattro; and
- 2020-2021 Audi A8 e quattro.
The plaintiffs assert claims including common law fraud/fraudulent omission, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and violations of state business, consumer, and advertising laws. They seek remedies including class certification, a buyback of the class vehicles, a recall or free starter-generator-alternator replacement program, damages, and attorney fees.
The case is Maximillian Reis, et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., a New Jersey Corporation, d/b/a Audi of America, Inc., et al., case number 3:23-cv-02476, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
