Big difference though. VW created the issue and then ran a program to develop and implement a way to hide the problem. Malicious intent. I don't think we can say the same for Intel with a security bug that is uncovered after the sale. Now, if someone could show Intel knew about Spectre or similar bugs and hid them, then you are off to the races.
(I'm not arguing equivalence between these two "post-consumer downgrades" -- just pointing out there's not only prior art for it occurring, but also prior art for repercussions/compensation.)
First thing I thought of. I believe the trade off was getting a warranty extension on the engine/emmissions system.
In some US states VW was forced to buy the vehicles back from owners if they wanted to sell them. I know most people jumped on the offer as VW had to pay a certain pre-agreed price and it was higher than market value.
They could either fix it (adding a diesel exhaust filter, which adds a consumable filter fluid to the maintenance schedule) or buy it back at the price the vehicle was valued at before the scandal broke. Plus $5,000 in restitution regardless of option taken.
And they were subject to a $15B class action settlement because of it in the US alone.