Volkswagen Atlas Water Pump Defect Class Action Settlement

Current or former owners or lessees of a 2018–2022 Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport with a 3.6-liter engine that they purchased or leased in the United States or Puerto Rico may be eligible to submit a claim for reimbursement for certain repair costs and/or receive an extended warranty from a class action settlement.

Volkswagen Group of America Inc. agreed to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it equipped certain Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with a defective main engine water pump. The plaintiffs claimed this defect could lead to premature failure and coolant leaks, requiring costly repairs.

Who can file a claim for a VW water pump settlement payout?

Class members are individuals or entities who purchased or leased a 2018–2022 Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport with a 3.6-liter engine in the United States or Puerto Rico. This includes both current and former owners and lessees.

Consumers can use the VIN number lookup portal online to determine if their vehicle qualifies to participate in the settlement.

How much are settlement payments?

Class members have the following benefit options:

• Warranty extension: Volkswagen will automatically extend its new vehicle limited warranty for current owners or lessees to cover 80% of the cost of parts and labor for repair or replacement of a failed main engine water pump at an authorized Volkswagen dealer. The warranty extension is valid for up to 8.5 years or 85,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever comes first. Class members can transfer the warranty extension to subsequent owners as long as its time and mileage limits have not expired.
• Reimbursement for past repairs: Class members who paid for a repair or replacement of the main engine water pump and/or up to two head gasket repairs due to coolant leaks or low coolant before July 6, 2026, at an authorized Volkswagen dealer and within 8.5 years or 85,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date can submit a claim for reimbursement of 80% of the paid invoice amount, parts and labor.
• The settlement caps reimbursement for vehicle repairs performed by a non-dealer during the qualifying period at $820 for a water pump repair and $3,325 for each head gasket repair.
• This benefit is limited to one water pump repair and up to two head gasket repairs per vehicle.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a repair reimbursement settlement payment, class members must print a PDF claim form to complete and mail it to the settlement administrator:

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Briggs v. Volkswagen Group of America Settlement, c/o Rust Consulting Inc. - 9154, PO Box 2599, Faribault, MN 55021-9599

The claim deadline is Oct. 5, 2026.

Required proof and claim information

• The claim form requires the vehicle make, model and VIN.
• Class members must submit a repair order, invoice or other supporting documentation showing the following information:
• Claimant's name and address
• Make, model and VIN of vehicle that received the repair
• Date of repair
• The name and address of the authorized Volkswagen dealership or non-dealer that performed the repair
• A description of the of the repair, including parts repair or replacement and the cost of parts and labor
• The vehicle's mileage at the time of repair
• Proof of payment, including the amount paid for the qualifying repairs

• Claimants whose repairs occurred within their new vehicle limited warranty must also provide documentation confirming they first attempted to have the repair done by an authorized Volkswagen dealer but the dealer declined or did not perform the repair for free. If documentation is not available, claimants must submit a written declaration confirming they made the repair attempt.
• Claimants must disclose if they received any payment, coverage, concession or reimbursement from any source for any or all of the repair(s) they submit for reimbursement. This includes insurance, outside warranties, maintenance programs, goodwill, coupons or any other repair cost reduction.

Payout options

• Paper check mailed to the address provided

Settlement fund breakdown

The settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys’ fees and expenses: Up to $790,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $3,500 each to four plaintiffs ($14,000 total)
• Payments to approved claimants: Total determined by number of valid claims filed

Important dates

• Deadline to request exclusion: Aug. 5, 2026
• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 5, 2026
• Final fairness hearing: Sept. 10, 2026

When is the Volkswagen Atlas water pump settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will mail payments to approved class members within 150 days after it receives their claim or within 180 days after the final approval date, whichever is later.

Why is there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged Volkswagen manufactured certain Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles with 3.6-liter engines with a main engine water pump defect that could result in premature failure and coolant leaks.

Volkswagen denies the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risk of further litigation and a possible trial.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement claim form
3. Settlement website FAQ page