Volkswagen Atlas Seat Latch Settlement: Details & Deadlines

If you currently or previously owned or leased a 2018–2024 Volkswagen Atlas in the United States or Puerto Rico, you may be eligible to claim reimbursement for certain repair expenses or receive warranty extensions from a class action settlement.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWGoA) has agreed to resolve a lawsuit by offering settlement benefits to eligible owners and lessees. The lawsuit alleged that certain Volkswagen Atlas vehicles have a defect in the second row seat latching mechanism.

Who can file a claim?

To be considered a class member:

• You are a current or former owner or lessee of a model year 2018–2024 Volkswagen Atlas vehicle.
• The vehicle must have been imported and distributed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in the United States or Puerto Rico.
• Your vehicle must be identified as a “Settlement Class Vehicle” by its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You can confirm eligibility by entering your VIN in the VIN Lookup Portal on the official settlement website.
• Both individuals and businesses may be eligible, as long as they meet the ownership or lease criteria.

Additional details:

• Both current and former owners or lessees are included, regardless of whether you still possess the vehicle.
• If you purchased or leased more than one eligible vehicle, you may be able to claim for each qualifying vehicle.
• The settlement applies only to vehicles identified by specific VINs, so it is important to check your vehicle’s eligibility.

How much are the settlement benefits?

The main benefits include:

• A warranty extension for all Settlement Class Vehicles, effective May 21, 2025, covering the cost of repair or replacement of a failed or malfunctioned second row seat latching mechanism by an authorized Volkswagen dealer for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date.
• Reimbursement for 100% of the past paid (and unreimbursed) cost (parts and labor) of one repair or replacement of a failed or malfunctioned second row seat latching mechanism, if the repair was performed and paid for before May 21, 2025, and within 10 years or 100,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date.

For repairs not performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer, reimbursement is capped at:

• $645 for repair or replacement of a seat latch and/or seat latch cover
• $1,700 for repair or replacement of the second row seat and/or second row seat frame

Repairs due to misuse, abuse, accident, or external damage do not qualify.

Examples:

• If you paid $600 for a seat latch repair at a non-dealer, you could be reimbursed the full $600, provided you did not already receive a discount or reimbursement from another source.
• If you paid $2,000 for a second row seat replacement at a non-dealer, your reimbursement would be capped at $1,700.
• If you received a $200 goodwill credit from Volkswagen for a $600 repair, your reimbursement would be $400 ($600 - $200).

How to claim settlement benefits

To claim reimbursement for eligible repairs, you must submit a claim form and supporting documentation by August 4, 2025.

You can file a claim online or download and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator.

Settlement Administrator's mailing address: Volkswagen Atlas Seat Latch Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91123, Seattle, WA 98111

Is proof/documentation required to submit a claim?

Claimants must provide documentation to support their claim for reimbursement.

Required documentation includes:

• An original or legible copy of a repair invoice or record showing:
• Claimant’s name and address
• Vehicle make, model, and VIN
• Name and address of the repair facility
• Date of repair
• Mileage at the time of repair
• Description of the repair work performed, including parts and labor breakdown
• Amount charged for the repair
• Proof of payment for the repair
• If the claimant is not the person to whom the claim form was addressed, or the vehicle is not the one identified on the mailed claim form, proof of class membership and vehicle eligibility is required

Claim instructions

Follow these steps to submit your claim:

1. Gather all required documentation, including repair invoices and proof of payment.
2. Complete the claim form, either online at the online claim form or by downloading the PDF claim form.
3. If submitting by mail, send the completed form and documentation to Volkswagen Atlas Seat Latch Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91123, Seattle, WA 98111. Ensure your submission is postmarked by August 4, 2025.
4. If submitting online, upload all required documents and submit by August 4, 2025.
5. Keep copies of all documents for your records.

Important dates

• Fairness Hearing: August 27, 2025
• Deadline to File a Claim: August 4, 2025
• Class Counsel Fee and Service Award Application Deadline: June 16, 2025

When is the Volkswagen Atlas Seat Latch Settlement payout date?

Payments to eligible claimants will be mailed within 150 days of either the date the completed claim is received or the date the settlement becomes final, whichever is later. The court will hold a Final Fairness Hearing on August 27, 2025, to decide whether to grant final approval to the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit alleged that certain Volkswagen Atlas vehicles had a defect in the second row seat latching mechanism. VWGoA denies these claims, asserting that the seat latching mechanisms are not defective and that no warranties or laws were violated.

The parties agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of litigation, and to provide benefits to affected vehicle owners and lessees without further delay.