Nationwide Class Action Settlement Against Honda & Acura
A nationwide class action settlement with an estimated value of over $40 million was approved on April 13, 2012 by United States District Judge Katherine S. Hayden of the District of New Jersey, in the case of Alin v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Civ. No. 2:08-cv-04825-KSH-PS. Jon Alin, Robert Loughhead and Paul Feldman acting as the class representatives.
We represented over 2.4 million owners and lessees of over one million 2002-2007 Honda and Acura automobiles with defects in their air conditioning systems. The defects caused the air conditioning systems to stop working and required costly repairs that Honda and Acura refused to pay for under warranty. The comprehensive settlement provides tens of millions of dollars in reimbursements and vehicle modifications to be paid for by Honda and Acura, over $2.5 million in fees and expenses awarded by Judge Hayden to the attorneys representing the Settlement Class, and approximately $2 million in administrative expenses to be paid by Honda and Acura.
This settlement is notable as it marks one of the few nationwide automotive class action lawsuits that have resulted in a settlement approved by a Federal Court. The settlement represents the culmination of more than 3 years of litigation and Court proceedings, and is a significant victory for consumers, as the relief extends to millions of Class Members who would have otherwise been denied any relief based on Honda and Acura’s prior warranty practices.