Auto Parts & Auto Purchase $1.2 Billion Class Action Settlement ($100+ Per Person)

Update 11/3/22: Claims Deadline has been extended through January 7, 2023 (ht MtM)

Update 5/20/20: You can now file a claim until June 18th, 2020. Hat tip to MtM; Update 12/31/19: You can now file a claim until 3/16/20. Hat tip to @thome52; Update 11/20/19: Settlement fund is now $1.2 billion and you have until December 31st, 2019 to file a claim.

Auto Parts Settlement

There’s a huge class action case against numerous auto parts manufacturers claiming that they are part of a price-fixing scheme. The defendants are companies you probably never heard of, but whom you bought parts from indirectly either when purchasing/leasing a new vehicle or when changing a part in your vehicle. There is some more detailed data on exactly which auto parts are under discussion here and here.

There have already been settlements with many of the parts manufacturers (known as Round 1 Settlement and Round 2 Settlement), and now the courts are in the process of an additional round of settlements known as Round 3 Settlement. As I understand, if you file now you’ll get benefits from the earlier settlements as well.

Check your Eligibility and File a Claim Here

“You only need to file one claim regardless of: (1) the number of vehicles you purchased or leased; (2) the number of replacement parts you purchased; or (3) which settlement funds your purchases or leases may be applicable. If you have registered on this website, you will receive updates as new settlements are reached with additional defendants or in additional parts cases. We also recommend that you check this website periodically for any changes including additions to the list of included vehicles and parts.”

Who is Eligible?

You may be included if, at any time between 1995 and 2018, depending upon the component part, you: (1) bought or leased a qualifying new vehicle in the U.S. (not for resale) or (2) indirectly purchased a qualifying vehicle replacement part (not for resale). Indirectly means you bought the vehicle replacement part from someone other than the manufacturer of the part. In general, qualifying vehicles are four-wheeled passenger automobiles, cars, light trucks, pickup trucks, crossovers, vans, mini-vans, and sport utility vehicles.

Geographic Limitation: Only those members of the Settlement Classes who purchased or leased a vehicle or purchased a replacement part while (1) residing or (2) as to businesses, having the principal place of business located, in the District of Columbia or the states listed below will be entitled to share in the monetary recovery. Those states are: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

How Much Will We Get?

They are saying it’s for a minimum of $100 per person.

Important Dates

• 1995 until 2018 are the years where the alleged price-fixing took place.
• Final date to submit a claim – unknown
• Hearing Date – unknown
• Payments may be distributed to members of the Settlement Classes after the Court grants final approval to the Round 3 Settlements and any appeals from such approvals are resolved. Appeals can take several years to conclude.

Final Thoughts

Just about everyone who owns a vehicle is included in this lawsuit. Even if you buy used, you likely replaced something or other over the years which would make you eligible.

Note, it’s not an easy class action settlement to take part of – they ask for your VIN number and documentation of the your purchase or lease. Also, don’t expect to see any money from this for quite some time.

Hat tip to Esther