Nearly 4,000 Maine cars covered by VW settlement; how to claim your money

1280x960_60628B00-GIQKHAs part of the biggest false advertising case in the history of the Federal Trade Commission, Volkswagen will spend about $10 billion to compensate owners and lessees of VW and Audi 2.0 liter diesel cars.

This week the FTC announced an agreement to settle claims that VW rigged 475,000 vehicles because they didn’t meet emissions standards. Models included in the restitution and recall program include the 2013 to 2015 VW Beetle, 2010 to 2015 VW Golf, 2009 to 2015 VW Jetta, 2012 to 2015 VW Passat and 2010-13 and 2015 Audi A3.

According to Attorney General Janet Mills, the settlement covers 3,982 vehicles in Maine.

The $10 billion will cover payments, buybacks, and fixes.

Affected VW owners will get a restitution payment of at least $5,100 and a choice of either a buyback of the vehicle or a modification to reduce the emissions.

You can see if your car is covered by the settlement by searching your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): CLICK HERE.

Starting next month, the same site will tell you how much money you’ll get and how to register.

Buybacks are set to begin in October.

Jon Chrisos

About Jon Chrisos

Award-winning journalist Jon Chrisos is the investigative and consumer reporter at CBS 13 in Portland. He also anchors weeknights at 5:30. Chrisos is “On Your Side” investigating the stories that make a difference in your life. He’s passionate about helping those who’ve been wronged, exposing government waste, asking tough questions, and uncovering the truth.