When Jeni Rieger bought her used 2015 Audi A4 back in August 2016, she was certain she had made a great purchasing decision. After all, Audi, a brand under the Volkswagen umbrella, has a reputation for being a high-quality, top-performing badge. But this Nevada native soon began experiencing trouble with her almost new Audi.

After a few visits to the dealerships, engine problems were fast becoming costly. And when she heard the issues weren’t going to be covered under warranty, she knew she had to do something. It was a third-party automotive repair shop that provided the clarity she needed.

And engine failure with certain Audi models, as it turns out, isn’t just a problem for Jeni Rieger. Based on the recently filed class-action lawsuit’s claims, Audi knew all about the potential engine failures.

The details of this class-action lawsuit

The class-action lawsuit was filed last month with Jeni Rieger as the plaintiff and Volkswagen AG, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. d/b/a Audi of America, Inc., and Audi AG as the defendant. The lawsuit has been officially filed in the District Court of New Jersey, according to Justia docket data.

The allegations suggest Audi knew about the potential issues associated with oil consumption, engine power loss, and potential piston failure, despite refusing to cover the needed repairs as a warranty claim.

To back this allegation, representatives for the plaintiff point the past Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 17 13 43 2027731/5) that warned retail dealers about “engine oil consumption” with various Audi models featuring the 2.0T engines.

Defective piston parts could be the core problem

More details come to light as ClassAction.org lays out the various problems and potential lawsuit claims. Attorneys are investigating the Audi models’ pistons as the possible culprit leading to the various symptoms, including oil consumption.

It could be that the pistons are actually breaking into pieces, causing damage throughout and leading to potential engine failure. Symptoms Audi owners might experience include a sudden loss of power when driving, engine knocking, excessive oil use, and check engine light illumination.

Which Audi models have these potential engine failure problems?

This class-action lawsuit against Audi affects any vehicle owners of certain 2010 through 2017 models, featuring the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The attorneys filing the case are seeking to connect with owners to discuss experiences relating to engine failure or piston issues.

CarComplaints.com suggests that if you own a TT, A3, A4, A5, A6, Q3, or Q5 within that model year range, you could be eligible to join the ranks as plaintiffs in this lawsuit.

What to do if you’re concerned about your Audi

For anyone who feels these Audi engine problems sound all too familiar, you have a course of action. Consider submitting your information in a form with ClassAction.org to see if your experiences fall in line with the existing plaintiffs. You can also connect with the attorneys responsible for the filing. Jeni Rieger is represented by Berger Montague PC, Capstone Law APC, and Ladah Law Firm.

There was a lawsuit back in 2014 in which Audi did agree to settle some claims regarding a defect resulting in excessive oil use. But in that suit, only particular 2009, 2010, and 2011 Audi models were considered.

This latest class-action lawsuit points to a more concerning piston problem and covering a broader model year range. As an owner of one of the listed Audi models, you can be watchful and cautious about potential engine problems. If you begin to experience issues, you might be able to join Jeni Rieger in an attempt to seek a remedy.