If you owned or leased a Volkswagen or Audi with a Takata airbag, you can register for up to $500 with no receipts — but the claim window closes July 8, 2026.
What Is This Settlement About?
Volkswagen and Audi agreed to a $42 million class action settlement to resolve claims that certain of their vehicles were equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators. The settlement received final approval from U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno in the Southern District of Florida on April 4, 2022, as part of the sprawling multidistrict litigation over Takata airbags (In re: Takata Airbag Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2599). The settlement covers approximately 1.35 million Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. Volkswagen and Audi deny any wrongdoing and settled to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.The reason this matters right now is timing: the deadline to file a claim for Volkswagen and Audi vehicles is July 8, 2026. Eligible class members who have not yet filed have a narrow window left to register for a payment.
Who Qualifies?
The settlement class is made up of current and former owners and lessees of certain Volkswagen and Audi "Subject Vehicles" that were equipped with a Takata airbag. Generally, you may be eligible if either of the following applies:- You owned or leased a Volkswagen or Audi Subject Vehicle on November 10, 2021 and brought it to a Volkswagen or Audi dealership for the Takata airbag recall remedy; or
- You sold or returned a Volkswagen or Audi Subject Vehicle between February 9, 2016 and before November 10, 2021.
Only specific Volkswagen and Audi models and model years are included. The official settlement website has a VIN lookup tool that confirms whether a particular vehicle is a Subject Vehicle — that is the reliable way to check eligibility before filing.
How Much Can You Get?
The settlement provides two kinds of payments, and you can file for both on the same Registration/Claim Form:- Out-of-pocket expense reimbursement. Class members can be reimbursed for the reasonable, documented expenses they incurred related to the Takata airbag recall — for example, certain costs tied to the recall remedy. This tier requires documentation of the expenses claimed, and these claims are paid first.
- Residual distribution payment (up to $500). After out-of-pocket claims are paid, if money remains in the settlement fund, class members who registered can receive a residual distribution payment of up to $500. You do not need receipts for this payment — you register using your vehicle information. The actual amount depends on how many people claim and how much of the $42 million fund is left.
Because the residual payment is a pro rata share of whatever remains, the exact dollar figure is not fixed in advance; $500 is the cap, not a guaranteed amount.
How to File a Claim
File your Registration/Claim Form on the official settlement website before the July 8, 2026 deadline. On the site you can confirm that your VIN is included in the class, choose between the out-of-pocket reimbursement and the residual payment (or file for both), and submit the form online. If you are claiming out-of-pocket expenses, have your documentation ready to upload.Only use the official court-approved settlement website to file. Legitimate settlement administrators never charge a fee to release a class action payment and will not ask for your banking passwords or a "processing payment" to send your check. Ignore any text, call, or email demanding money or sensitive credentials to "release" a Takata settlement payment. This settlement is separate from — and does not affect — any free Takata airbag recall repair, which remains available through Volkswagen and Audi dealers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Volkswagen and Audi Takata airbag settlement?
The settlement covers current and former owners and lessees of certain Volkswagen and Audi vehicles that were equipped with a Takata airbag. Generally, you may qualify if you owned or leased a Volkswagen or Audi Subject Vehicle on November 10, 2021 and brought it in for the Takata airbag recall remedy, or if you sold or returned a Subject Vehicle between February 9, 2016 and November 10, 2021. Confirm your VIN is included using the official settlement website.
How much can I get from the settlement?
There are two types of payments. First, class members can be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the Takata airbag recall (documentation required). Second, class members can register to receive a residual distribution payment of up to $500 if money remains in the settlement fund after out-of-pocket claims are paid. The residual payment amount depends on how many people claim and how much of the $42 million fund is left.
Do I need receipts to file a claim?
For the up-to-$500 residual distribution payment, you register using your vehicle information and do not need receipts. For the out-of-pocket expense reimbursement, you must provide documentation of the reasonable costs you incurred related to the Takata airbag recall. You can file for both on the same Registration/Claim Form.
What is the claim deadline?
The deadline to file a Registration/Claim Form for Volkswagen and Audi vehicles is July 8, 2026. Claims must be submitted through the official settlement website by that date.
