Nearly 12,000 Vehicles in Connecticut Affected By Volkswagen Emissions Scandal

Nearly 12,000 vehicles sold in Connecticut are affected by the  Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal and the state will get more than $16 million as part of the settlement over cases.

Most of the money will go to the state’s general fund, but some with go to consumer protection funds.

Attorney General George Jepsen said Connecticut will get $16,281,335 as its share of the settlement's civil penalties and around $16 million will go to the state's general fund.

The remainder of funds will be deposited into consumer protection funds that the Department of Consumer Protection and Attorney General's Office maintain to support consumer protection investigations, advocacy and litigation. 

In all, Volkswagen will pay more than $570 million for violating state laws in several states that prohibit unfair or deceptive trade practices. The company is accused of marketing, selling and leasing certain diesel vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed emissions defeat devices designed to circumvent emissions standards. 

"Volkswagen lied," Jepsen said in a statement. "It lied to consumers and to regulators by stating that its vehicles were not only fuel efficient but also clean, which was not just misleading but downright false. The company's conduct was intentional, calculated and egregious."

The settlement resolves Connecticut's claims against Volkswagen under the state's consumer protection laws, and the state will pursue additional penalties from for violations of environmental and emissions laws and regulations, Jepsen said.

This agreement was announced in addition to separate settlements that will provide cash payments to affected consumers and require Volkswagen to buy back or modify certain Volkswagen and Audi 2.0-liter diesel vehicles.

"Separately, Volkswagen has reached agreements that will attempt to make whole consumers who have purchased or leased these vehicles. Those agreements are subject to court approval and some details, including the feasibility of a fix for vehicles equipped with a defeat device, remain to be developed. While my office is not a party to those settlements, Connecticut consumers should be aware of these developments, and my office will continue to monitor those agreements throughout their implementation," Jepsen said.

An investigation by the attorneys generals determined that Volkswagen sold more than 570,000 2.0 and 3.0-liter diesel vehicles in the United States, including 11,911 vehicles in Connecticut, that were equipped with defeat device software intended to circumvent applicable emissions standards for certain air pollutants.

 Affected 2.0-liter diesel vehicles include:

  • 2009: VW Jettas and VW Jetta Sportwagens
  • 2010: VW Golfs, VW Jettas, VW Jetta Sportwagens and Audi A3s
  • 2011: VW Golfs, VW Jettas, VW Jetta Sportwagens and Audi A3s
  • 2012: VW Golfs, VW Jettas, VW Jetta Sportwagens, VW Passats and Audi A3s
  • 2013: VW Beetles, VW Beetle Convertibles, VW Golfs, VW Jettas, VW Jetta Sportwagens, VW Passats and Audi A3s
  • 2014: VW Beetles, VW Beetle Convertibles, VW Golfs, VW Jettas, VW Jetta Sportwagens and VW Passats
  • 2015: VW Beetles, VW Beetle Convertibles, VW Golfs, VW Golf Sportwagens, VW Jettas, VW Passats and Audi A3s

If approved by the court, under the separate settlement, affected Volkswagen owners will receive a restitution payment of at least $5,100 as well as a choice between a buyback of the vehicle or a modification to the vehicle provided that Volkswagen can develop a modification that is acceptable to regulators.

 Owners would still be eligible to choose a buyback in the event regulators do not approve a modification.

The consumer program also would provide benefits and restitution to lessees and sellers after Sept. 18, 2015 when the emissions-cheating scandal was disclosed.

If approved by the court the company would also pay $2.7 billion into a trust to support environmental programs throughout the country to reduce NOx emissions. Under the terms of the mitigation trust, Connecticut would be eligible to receive more than $51 million to fund mitigation projects.

To see how the separate agreements impact you and when you can expect relief, visit VWCourtSettlement.com.

See the agreements with the states here.

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