'I'm really stuck': GTA Volkswagen owner left out of emissions settlement

JacquelineCharlesworthis stuck.

She wants to get rid of her Volkswagen, after the company was exposed for doctoring its emissions testing in 2015. Buta legal loophole means she's left out of twomassive class action lawsuits against the car manufacturer.

Charlesworth, who lives in the GTA,isn't eligible for the Canadian lawsuit because her car has anAmerican VIN. And she's not eligible to be part of the American lawsuit because her car was registered in Canada.

"I'm really stuck in between two worlds," saidCharlesworth.

• Canadians who bought Volkswagens in U.S. left out of emissions settlement
• Volkswagen Canada reaches deal to compensate customers affected by emissions scandal

Charlesworthbought a used VolkswagenJettafrom a dealer inMississauga, Ont.,in July 2015.At the time, she didn't realize that she had purchased an American model.

Two months later, it wasrevealed that Volkswagen had fitted many of its vehicles with software to fool emissions testers.

'I want my money'

Charlesworthchecked to see if her car was eligible to be a part of the Canadian or American lawsuits against the company.

She learned that she couldn't take part in the Canadian lawsuit because her car was from the U.S. But, she said, Volkswagen offered her more than $13,000as part of the American lawsuit.

Charlesworthsaid she was pleased with the offer and anticipating the cheque, bought another car.

But two weeks ago, everything changed. She got a letter from Volkswagen saying herJettawasn't eligible for the settlement, because it had been registered in Canada before the September 2015 cut-off date.

Charlesworthsaid she's frustrated she was counting on the$13,425 to support her family. She said she's been trying to sell herJettaonKijiji, but nobody wants to buy what she calls a "scandal car."

"I want my money. That's it," she said.

"I don't want to be driving around a polluting car."

Charlesworth said she's contacted multiple lawyers, but has not received a response. She said she also hasn't heard anything else from Volkswagen.

Lawyers say they will pursue claim

Volkswagen Canada has declined to respond to questions about whether it plans to further compensate owners in this situation. The company also has not immediately responded to inquiries about Charlesworth.

• Canadians who bought Volkswagens in U.S. left out of emissions settlement

In December, Volkswagen reached a proposed class-action lawsuit settlement that would compensate105,000 Canadianownersaffected by the emissions scandal.The total settlement is worth $2.1 billion.

David O'Connor,a partner at Roy O'Connor LLP, one of the consortium of firms working on the Canada-wide class action against Volkswagen, said it's hard to know exactly how many people are caught in thelegal grey zone.

But he said 15 to 20 people have contacted law offices across Canada with similar concerns.

After the initial settlement moves forward, O'Connor said his firm plans to pursue the claim on behalf of people in Charlesworth's position.

'It's very frustrating'

In the meantime,Charlesworthsaid she wants this legal loophole closed.

"I don't want to have to wonder whether I'm going to get my money or not," she said.

"I don't want to have to keep driving that car and just keep waiting. I have no communication from anyone. It's very frustrating."