Frequently Asked Questions

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Basic Information

1. What are these lawsuits about?

Each lawsuit claims that the Defendants in that lawsuit agreed to unlawfully raise the price of a certain kind of vehicle component part. (For example, one lawsuit is called In re: Radiators, and the affected product is radiators.) As a result of the alleged agreements by Defendants, consumers and businesses who purchased or leased qualifying new vehicles (not for resale) containing those parts or who indirectly purchased qualifying replacement parts (not for resale) from the Defendants may have paid more than they should have. Although the Settling Defendants have agreed to settle, they do not agree that they engaged in any wrongdoing or are liable or owe any money or benefits to Plaintiffs. The Court has not decided who is right.

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2. Who are the Round 5 Settling Defendants?

The Round 5 Settling Defendants are:

  1. Bosal Industries Georgia, Inc. and Bosal USA,
  2. Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch LLC,
  3. ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp, ZF Friedrichshafen AG (the successor in interest into which TRW KFZ Ausrüstung GmbH merged), and Lucas Automotive GmbH (now known as ZF Active Safety GmbH).

[1] Previously, TRW settled lawsuits related to Occupant Safety Restraint Systems.

[2] Previously, Bosch settled lawsuits related to Windshield Wiper Systems, Starters, Fuel Injection Systems, and Spark Plugs, Standard Oxygen Sensors, and Air Fuel Ratio Sensors.

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3. Have There Been Any Other Settlements Related To This Lawsuit?

Yes. The following companies previously agreed to the Round 1 Settlements in the lawsuits:

  1. Autoliv, Inc.; Autoliv ASP, Inc.; Autoliv B.V. & Co. KG; Autoliv Safety Technology, Inc.; And Autoliv Japan Ltd. (collectively, “Autoliv”),
  2. Fujikura, Ltd. and Fujikura Automotive America LLC (together, “Fujikura”),
  3. Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. (“HIAMS”),
  4. Kyungshin-Lear Sales and Engineering, LLC (“KL Sales”),
  5. Lear Corporation (“Lear”),
  6. Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.; N.S. International, Ltd.; and New Sabina Industries, Inc. (collectively, “Nippon Seiki”),
  7. Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America (together, “Panasonic”),
  8. Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. (incorporating K&S Wiring Systems, Inc.); and Sumitomo Wiring Systems (U.S.A.) Inc. (collectively, “Sumitomo”),
  9. T.RAD Co., Ltd. and T.RAD North America, Inc. (together, “T.RAD”),
  10. TRW Deutschland Holding GmbH and TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation (now known as “ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.”) (together, “TRW”), and
  11. Yazaki Corporation and Yazaki North America, Incorporated (together, “Yazaki”).

The following companies previously agreed to the Round 2 Settlements in the lawsuits:

  1. Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. and Aisin Automotive Casting, LLC (together, “Aisin Seiki”),
  2. DENSO Corporation; DENSO International America, Inc.; DENSO International Korea Corporation; DENSO Korea Automotive Corporation; DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH; ASMO Co., Ltd.; ASMO North America, LLC; ASMO Greenville of North Carolina, Inc.; and ASMO Manufacturing, Inc. (collectively, “DENSO”),
  3. Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and American Furukawa, Inc. (together, “Furukawa”),
  4. G.S. Electech, Inc.; G.S. Wiring Systems Inc.; and G.S.W. Manufacturing, Inc. (collectively, “G.S. Electech”),
  5. LEONI Wiring Systems, Inc. and Leonische Holding Inc. (together, “LEONI”),
  6. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric US Holdings, Inc.; and Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc. (collectively, “MELCO”),
  7. NSK Ltd.; NSK Americas, Inc.; NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.; and NSK Steering Systems America, Inc. (collectively, “NSK”),
  8. Omron Automotive Electronics Co. Ltd. (“Omron”),
  9. Schaeffler Group USA Inc. (“Schaeffler”),
  10. Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. and DTR Industries, Inc. (together, “Sumitomo Riko”),
  11. Tokai Rika Co., Ltd. and TRAM, Inc. d/b/a Tokai Rika U.S.A. Inc. (together, “Tokai Rika”), and
  12. Valeo Japan Co., Ltd. on behalf of itself and Valeo Inc.; Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.; and Valeo Climate Control Corp. (collectively, “VALEO”).

The following companies previously agreed to the Round 3 Settlements in the lawsuits:

  1. Aisan Industry Co., Ltd.; Franklin Precision Industry, Inc.; Aisan Corporation of America; and Hyundam Industrial Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Aisan”),
  2. ALPHA Corporation and Alpha Technology Corporation (collectively, “ALPHA”),
  3. Alps Electric Co., Ltd.; Alps Electric (North America), Inc.; and Alps Automotive Inc. (collectively, “Alps”),
  4. Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch LLC (collectively, “Bosch”),
  5. Bridgestone Corporation and Bridgestone APM Company (collectively, “Bridgestone”),
  6. Calsonic Kansei Corporation and Calsonic Kansei North America, Inc. (collectively, “Calsonic”),
  7. Chiyoda Manufacturing Corporation and Chiyoda USA Corporation (collectively, “Chiyoda”),
  8. Continental Automotive Electronics LLC; Continental Automotive Korea Ltd; and Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (collectively, “Continental”),
  9. Diamond Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. and Diamond Electric Mfg. Corporation (collectively, “Diamond Electric”),
  10. Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG and Eberspächer North America Inc. (collectively, “Eberspächer”),
  11. Faurecia Abgastechnik GmbH; Faurecia Systèmes d’Échappement; Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC; and Faurecia Emissions Control Systems, N.A. LLC f/k/a Faurecia Exhaust Systems, Inc. (collectively, “Faurecia”),
  12. Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. (“HIAMS”),
  13. Hitachi Metals, Ltd.; Hitachi Cable America Inc.; and Hitachi Metals America, Ltd. (collectively, “Hitachi Metals”),
  14. INOAC Corporation; INOAC Group North America, LLC; and INOAC USA Inc. (collectively, “INOAC”),
  15. JTEKT Corporation; JTEKT Automotive North America, Inc.; and JTEKT North America Corp. (formerly d/b/a Koyo Corporation of U.S.A.) (collectively, “JTEKT”),
  16. Kiekert AG and Kiekert U.S.A., Inc. (collectively, “Kiekert”),
  17. Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and North American Lighting, Inc. (collectively, “KOITO”),
  18. MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG and MAHLE Behr USA Inc. (collectively, “MAHLE Behr”),
  19. MITSUBA Corporation and American Mitsuba Corporation (collectively, “MITSUBA”),
  20. Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. and Nachi America Inc. (collectively, “Nachi”),
  21. NGK Insulators, Ltd. and NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, Inc. (collectively, “NGK Insulators”),
  22. NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. and NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. (collectively, “NGK Spark Plugs”),
  23. Nishikawa Rubber Company, Ltd. (“Nishikawa”),
  24. NTN Corporation and NTN USA Corporation (collectively, “NTN”),
  25. Sanden Automotive Components Corporation; Sanden Automotive Climate Systems Corporation; and Sanden International (U.S.A.) Inc. (collectively, “Sanden”),
  26. SKF USA Inc. (“SKF”),
  27. Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.; Stanley Electric U.S. Co., Inc.; and II Stanley Co., Inc. (collectively, “Stanley”);
  28. Tenneco Inc.; Tenneco GmbH; and Tenneco Automotive Operating Co., Inc. (collectively, “Tenneco”),
  29. Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd.; Toyo Tire North America OE Sales LLC; and Toyo Automotive Parts (U.S.A.), Inc. (collectively, “Toyo”),
  30. Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. and Usui International Corporation (collectively, “Usui”),
  31. Valeo S.A. (“Valeo”),
  32. Yamada Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Yamada North America, Inc. (collectively, “Yamada”), and
  33. Yamashita Rubber Co., Ltd. and YUSA Corporation (collectively, “YAMASHITA”).

The following companies previously agreed to the Round 4 Settlements in the lawsuits:

  1. Brose SchlieBsysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft and Brose North America (together, “Brose”),
  2. Corning International Kabushiki Kaisha and Corning Incorporated (together, “Corning”),
  3. Delphi Technologies PLC and Delphi Powertrain Systems, LLC (together, “Delphi”),
  4. Green Tokai Co., LTD. (“Green Tokai”),
  5. Keihin Corporation and Keihin North America, Inc. (together, “Keihin”),
  6. KYB Corporation (f/k/a Kayaba Industry Co. Ltd) and KYB Americas Corporation (together, “KYB”),
  7. Maruyasu Industries Co., Ltd. and Curtis Maruyasu America, Inc. (together, “Maruyasu”),
  8. Meritor, Inc. f/k/a ArvinMeritor, Inc. (“ArvinMeritor”),
  9. Mikuni Corporation (“Mikuni”),
  10. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Climate Control, Inc. (collectively, “Mitsubishi”),
  11. Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America (together, “Panasonic”),[1]
  12. Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd. and Sanoh America, Inc. (collectively, “Sanoh”),
  13. Showa Corporation and American Showa, Inc. (collectively, “Showa”),
  14. Reorganized TK Holdings Trust (“TKH”),
  15. Tokai Rika Co., Ltd. and TRAM, Inc. d/b/a Tokai Rika U.S.A. Inc. (together, “Tokai Rika”),[2]
  16. Toyo Denso Co., Ltd. and Weastec, Inc. (together, “Toyo Denso”), and
  17. Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.; Toyoda Gosei North America Corporation; TG Kentucky, LLC; TG Missouri Corp.; and TG Fluid Systems USA Corporation (collectively, “Toyoda Gosei”).

The Court has given final approval to the Round 1 Settlements. See Amended Opinion and Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 1 Settlements (August 9, 2016) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

The Court has also given final approval to the Round 2 Settlements. See Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 2 Settlements (July 10, 2017) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

The Court has given final approval to the Round 3 Settlements. See Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 3 Settlements (November 7, 2018) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

The Court has given final approval to the Round 4 Settlements. See Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 4 Settlements (September 23, 2020) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

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4. What Vehicle Parts are included?

The Settlements generally include the vehicle component parts listed below. The specific definitions of the vehicle component parts are available in each Settlement Agreement. Each of those Settlement Agreements, and the related Complaints, are accessible on the Court Documents page.

You may also select from this drop down for further information on an individual part:

Parts Included in the Round 5 Settlements:

  • Electronic Braking Systems prevent cars from skidding by providing electronic stability controls when braking (anti-lock braking system or “ABS”) or under all driving conditions (electronic stability control or “ESC”).
  • Hydraulic Braking Systems consist of an actuation system and a foundation system. The actuation system is further made up of a brake booster and main brake cylinder, while the foundation system is further made up of a disc brake with saddle or drum brake and wheel brake cylinder.
  • Exhaust Systems “Exhaust System” is a system of piping and other parts that conveys noxious exhaust gases away from the passenger compartment and reduces the level of pollutants and engine exhaust noise emitted. An Exhaust System includes one or more of the following components: manifold, flex pipes, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, isolator/gasket/clamps, resonator assemblies/pipe accessories, and muffler/muffler assemblies.

Parts Included in the Round 1 – 4 Settlements:

  • Access Mechanisms are door and trunk handles, door keys and door locks, electrical steering column locks, and mechanical steering column locks.
  • Air Conditioning Systems are systems that cool the interior environment of a vehicle and are part of a vehicle’s thermal system. Air Conditioning Systems, whether sold together or separately, include one or more of the following: automotive compressors, condensers, HVAC units (typically consisting of a blower motor, actuators, flaps, evaporator, heater core, and filter embedded in a plastic housing), control panels, sensors, and associated hoses and pipes.
  • Air Flow Meters are used to measure the volume of air flowing into motor vehicle engines.
  • Air Fuel Ratio Sensors are “wideband” oxygen sensors that enable more precise control of the air-to-fuel ratio injected into the engine. Air Fuel Ratio Sensors are a type of Oxygen Sensor.
  • Alternators are electromechanical devices that generate an electric current while vehicle engines are in operation.
  • Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts are comprised primarily of rubber and metal and are installed in suspension systems and engine mounts, as well as other parts of a vehicle, to reduce engine and road vibration.
  • Automatic Transmission Fluid Warmers are devices located in the engine compartment of a vehicle that warm the automatic transmission fluid.
  • Automotive Bearings are devices in a vehicle used to position, hold, and guide moving parts, as well as to reduce friction between moving and fixed parts. Automotive Bearings are located throughout a vehicle. Automotive Bearings include the following devices used in vehicles: ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, roller bearings, mounted bearings, and parts and components for ball and roller bearings.
  • Automotive Brake Hoses are flexible hoses that carry brake fluid through the hydraulic brake system of an automobile.
  • Automotive Hoses are flexible tubes used to convey liquid and air in vehicles. Automotive Hoses include low-pressure rubber hoses used in automobile engine compartments and plastic and resin tubes used in vehicle engine compartments and fuel tank modules.
  • Automotive Constant-Velocity-Joint Boot Products are composed of rubber or plastic, and are used to cover the constant-velocity-joints of an automobile to protect the joints from contaminants.
  • Automotive Lamps include headlamps and rear combination lamps installed by automobile original equipment manufacturers. A headlamp is an Automotive Lamp installed in the front of an automobile, which consists of lights such as headlights, a clearance lamp, and turn signals. A rear combination lamp is an Automotive Lamp installed in the rear of an automobile, which consists of lights such as a backup lamp, stop lamp, tail lights, and turn signals.
  • Automotive Steel Tubes are used in fuel distribution, braking, and other automotive systems. Automotive Steel Tubes are sometimes divided into two categories: chassis tubes and engine parts. Chassis tubes, such as brake and fuel tubes, tend to be located in the body of a vehicle. Engine parts, such as fuel injection rails, oil level tubes, and oil strainer tubes, are associated with the function of a vehicle’s engine.
  • Automotive Wire Harness Systems are the electrical distribution systems used to direct and control electronic components, wiring, and circuit boards in vehicles. Automotive Wire Harness Systems include the following parts: automotive wire harnesses, automotive electrical wiring, lead wire assemblies, cable bond, automotive wiring connectors, automotive wiring terminals, electronic control units, fuse boxes, relay boxes, junction blocks, power distributors, high voltage wiring, and speed sensor wire assemblies.
  • Body Sealing Products are automotive body sealing parts. They are typically made of rubber and trim the doors, hoods, and compartments of vehicles. Body Sealings keep noise, debris, rainwater, and wind from entering the vehicle and control vehicle vibration. In some instances, they also serve as a design element. Body Sealings include body-side opening seals, door-side weather-stripping, glass-run channels, trunk lids, and other rubber sealings.
  • Ceramic Substrates are uncoated ceramic monoliths with fine honeycomb structures that, after coating with a mix of metal and other chemicals, are incorporated into automotive catalytic converters.
  • Electric Powered Steering Assemblies which are defined to include electric power steering motors, provide electric power to assist the driver to more easily steer the automobile. Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies link the steering wheel to the tires, and include the column, intermediate shaft, electronic control unit, but do not include the steering wheel or tires. “Pinion-Assist Type Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies” provide power to the steering gear pinion shaft from electric motors to assist the driver to more easily steer the automobile. Pinion-Assist Type Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies include an electronic control unit and link the steering wheel to the tires, but do not include the column, intermediate shaft, steering wheel or tires. Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies include Pinion-Assist Type Electronic Powered Steering.
  • Electronic Throttle Bodies control the amount of air flowing into a motor vehicle’s engine.
  • Fan Motors are small electric motors used to turn radiator cooling fans.
  • Fuel Injection Systems admit fuel or a fuel/air mixture into vehicle engine cylinders. Fuel Injection Systems can also be sold as part of a broader system, such as an engine management system, or as separate components. Fuel Injection Systems include one or more of the following parts: injectors; high pressure pumps; rail assemblies; feed lines; engine electronic control units; fuel pumps and fuel pump modules; manifold absolute pressure sensors; pressure regulators; pulsation dampers; purge control valves; air flow meters; and electronic throttle bodies.
  • Heater Control Panels are either mechanical or electrical devices that control the temperature of the interior environment of a vehicle. Heater Control Panels can be either manual (referred to as low-grade) or automatic (referred to as high-grade) and are located in the center console, back seat, or rear cabin of an automobile.
  • Fuel Senders are devices located inside the fuel tank of vehicles that measure the amount of fuel in the tank.
  • High Intensity Discharge (“HID”) Ballasts are electrical devices that limit the amount of electrical current flowing to a High Intensity Discharge Ballast headlamp.
  • Ignition Coils release electric energy to ignite the fuel/air mixture in cylinders.
  • Instrument Panel Clusters are the mounted instruments and gauges housed in front of the driver of a vehicle. Instrument Panel Clusters are also known as meters.
  • Interior Trim Products are automotive plastic interior trim parts. They do not include the main bodies of instrument panels and typically consist of molded trim parts made from plastics, polymers, elastomers, and/or resins manufactured and/or sold for installation in automobile interiors, including console boxes, assist grips, registers, center cluster panels, glove boxes, and glove box doors, meter cluster hoods, switch hole covers, and lower panel covers and boxes.
  • Inverters convert direct current electricity to alternating current electricity.
  • Motor Generators are electric motors used to power electric drive systems that can also capture and regenerate energy.
  • Occupant Safety Restraint Systems are comprised of the parts in an automotive vehicle that protect drivers and passengers from bodily harm. Occupant Safety Restraint Systems include one or more of the following: seat belts, air bags, steering wheels or steering systems, and safety electronic systems.
  • Oil Coolers are devices located in the engine compartment of a vehicle that remove surplus heat from the engine oil. (This part does not have its own separate lawsuit. Claims relating to Oil Coolers are brought in the Automatic Transmission Fluid Warmers case.)
  • Power Window Motors are small electric motors used to raise and lower vehicle windows.
  • Power Window Switches are switches that raise or lower a vehicle’s electric windows.
  • Radiators are heat exchangers or other devices that help prevent vehicle engines from overheating or otherwise regulate the temperature of the engine compartment of a vehicle and the fluids passing through it, including all devices physically attached to and sold as part of a radiator.
  • Shock Absorbers are part of the suspension system on automobiles. They absorb and dissipate energy to help cushion vehicles on uneven roads, leading to improved ride quality and vehicle handling. Shock Absorbers are also called “dampers.”
  • Side Door Latches secure an automotive door to a vehicle body and may be locked to prevent unauthorized access to a vehicle. A “Latch Minimodule” includes the Side Door Latch and all of the related mechanical operating components, including the electric lock function.
  • Spark Plugs are located in the engine and deliver high electric voltage from the ignition system to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.
  • Standard Oxygen Sensors are located in the exhaust system and measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust.
  • Starters are devices that power a vehicle’s battery to “turn over” and start when the driver turns the ignition switch.
  • Steering Angle Sensors detect the angle of the vehicle’s direction and send signals to a vehicle computer, which in turn controls the vehicle stability during turns. Steering Angle Sensors are installed on the steering column of a vehicle and may be connected to part of a combination switch.
  • Switches include one or more of the following: steering wheel switch (installed in the steering wheel), used to control functions within the vehicle; turn switch (installed behind the steering wheel), used to signal a left or right turn and control hi/lo beam selection; wiper switch (installed behind the steering wheel), used to activate the vehicle’s windshield wipers; combination switch, a combination of the turn and wiper switches as one unit, sold together as a pair; and door courtesy switch (installed in the door frame), which activates the light inside the vehicle when the door opens.
  • Valve Timing Control Devices (also called Variable Timing Devices and/or Variable Timing Control Devices), control the timing of engine valve operation and include the Variable Timing Control actuator or solenoid valve. Some valve timing control devices may also contain an oil control valve.
  • Windshield Washer Systems include one or more of the following: pump, hoses, nozzle, and tank necessary to deliver washer fluid to vehicle windows.
  • Windshield Wiper Systems include one or more of the following: motor, linkage, arm, and blade necessary to clear water or snow from vehicle windows.

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5. Why are these Class Actions?

In class actions, one or more individuals or companies called the “class representatives” sue on behalf of themselves and other people with similar claims in the specific class action. All of these individuals or companies together are the “Class” or “Class members.” In these class actions, there are more than fifty class representatives. In a class action, one court may resolve the issues for all class members, except for those who exclude themselves from the class.

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Who Is Included in the Classes?

6. How do I know if I may be included in the Classes?

Generally, you may be included in one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes if, at any time from 2002 to 2018, you: (1) bought or leased a qualifying new vehicle in the U.S. (not for resale), or (2) paid to replace one or more of the qualifying vehicle parts listed in Question 4 above (not for resale). In general, qualifying vehicles include new four-wheeled passenger automobiles, vans, sports utility vehicles, crossovers, and pickup trucks.

The specific definition of the vehicles, as well as the definition of who is included in the Settlement Classes, is set forth in each Settlement Agreement. Each of those Settlement Agreements, and the related Complaints, are accessible on the Court Documents page.

You will also be able to obtain additional information to learn whether you are a member of one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes by referencing the eligible vehicles listed in the “Vehicles Included in Round 5 Settlements” tab on the home page, calling 1-877-940-5043, or sending an email to info@AutoPartsClass.com.

A separate Settlement Class has been approved (for the Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Round 4 Settlements) or preliminarily approved (for Round 5 Settlements) by the Court in each of the following cases settled by the Settling Defendants and their affiliates. The time period covered by the Settlements for each of the Settlement Classes is provided below:

Round 1 Settling Defendants

Defendant Time Period Starts Time Period Ends Auto Part(s) Cases
Autoliv January 1, 2003 May 30, 2014 Occupant Safety Restraint Systems
Fujikura January 1, 1999 August 24, 2015 Wire Harness
HIAMS January 1, 2000 March 26, 2015 Alternators
Starters
Ignition Coils
Motor Generators
Inverters
Fuel Injection Systems
Valve Timing Control Devices
Air Flow Meters
Electronic Throttle Bodies
KL Sales January 1, 2000 May 5, 2014 Wire Harness
Lear January 1, 2000 May 5, 2014 Wire Harness
Nippon Seiki December 1, 2002 January 26, 2016 Instrument Panel Clusters
Panasonic July 1, 1998 February 25, 2015 HID Ballasts
January 1, 2000 February 25, 2015 Switches
September 1, 2000 February 25, 2015 Steering Angle Sensors
T.RAD November 1, 2002 August 12, 2015 ATF Warmers
February 1, 2001 August 12, 2015 Radiators
TRW January 1, 2003 September 17, 2014 Occupant Safety Restraint Systems
Sumitomo January 1, 1999 September 15, 2015 Wire Harness
Heater Control Panels
Yazaki January 1, 1999 September 15, 2014 Wire Harness
Instrument Panel Clusters
Fuel Senders

Round 2 Settling Defendants

Defendant Time Period Starts Time Period Ends Auto Part(s)
Aisin Seiki January 1, 2000 August 25, 2016 Valve Timing Control Devices
DENSO January 1, 1998 July 14, 2016 Wire Harness
Instrument Panel Clusters
Fuel Senders
Heater Control Panels
Alternators
Windshield Wiper Systems
Radiators
Starters
Ignition Coils
Motor Generators
HID Ballasts
Inverters
Fan Motors
Fuel Injection Systems
Power Window Motors
Automatic Transmission Fluid Warmers
Valve Timing Control Devices
Air Conditioning Systems
Windshield Washer Systems
Spark Plugs
Ceramic Substrates
Furukawa January 1, 1998 August 5, 2016 Wire Harness
G.S. Electech January 1, 1999 August 29, 2016 Wire Harness
LEONI January 1, 1999 June 28, 2016 Wire Harness
MELCO July 1, 1998 March 30, 2016 Wire Harness
Alternators
Starters
Ignition Coils
Fuel Injection Systems
Valve Timing Control Devices
HID Ballasts
Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies
NSK January 1, 2000
January 1, 2005
July 21, 2016
July 21, 2016
Bearings
Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies
Omron January 1, 2003 August 10, 2016 Power Window Switches
Schaeffler January 1, 2000 August 10, 2016 Bearings
Sumitomo Riko March 1, 1996
May 1, 2003
July 30, 2016
July 30, 2016
Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts
Automotive Hoses
Tokai Rika January 1, 1999 August 2, 2016 Wire Harness
Valeo May 1, 1999 July 26, 2016 Air Conditioning Systems

Round 3 Settling Defendants

Defendant Time Period Starts Time Period Ends Auto Part(s)
Aisan January 1, 2000 December 19, 2016 Fuel Injection Systems
ALPHA January 1, 2002 January 11, 2018 Access Mechanisms
Alps January 1, 2000 March 30, 2017 Heater Control Panels
Bosch January 1, 2000 July 27, 2017 Windshield Wiper Systems
Starters
Fuel Injection Systems
Spark Plugs
Bridgestone March 1, 1996 September 25, 2017 Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts
Calsonic February 1, 2001 January 30, 2018 Radiators
November 1, 2001 January 30, 2018 ATF Warmers and Oil Coolers
May 1, 1999 January 30, 2018 Air Conditioning Systems
Chiyoda January 1, 1999 January 4, 2017 Wire Harness Systems
Continental January 1, 2001 January 18, 2018 Instrument Panel Clusters
Diamond Electric January 1, 2000 June 8, 2017 Ignition Coils
Eberspächer January 1, 2002 September 11, 2017 Exhaust Systems
Faurecia January 1, 2002 November 15, 2017 Exhaust Systems
HIAMS January 1, 1995 September 18, 2017 Shock Absorbers
Hitachi Metals February 1, 2004 February 8, 2017 Automotive Brake Hoses
INOAC June 1, 2004 January 30, 2017 Interior Trim Products
JTEKT January 1, 2000 October 6, 2016 Automotive Bearings
January 1, 2005 October 6, 2016 Electric Powered Steering Assemblies
Kiekert January 1, 2004 September 22, 2017 Side Door Latches
KOITO June 1, 1997 May 26, 2017 Automotive Lamps
July 1, 1998 May 26, 2017 HID Ballasts
MAHLE Behr May 1, 1999 December 11, 2017 Air Conditioning Systems
MITSUBA January 1, 2000 August 9, 2017 Windshield Wiper Systems
Starters
Fan Motors
Fuel Injection Systems
Power Window Motors
Windshield Washer Systems
February 1, 2001 August 9, 2017 Radiators
June 1, 1997 August 9, 2017 Automotive Lamps
January 1, 2005 August 9, 2017 Electric Powered Steering Assemblies
Nachi January 1, 2000 July 24, 2017 Automotive Bearings
NGK Insulators July 1, 1999 October 16, 2017 Ceramic Substrates
NGK Spark Plugs January 1, 2000 December 21, 2017 Spark Plugs
Nishikawa January 1, 2000 November 15, 2017 Body Sealings
NTN January 1, 2000 November 16, 2016 Automotive Bearings
Sanden January 1, 2002 February 12, 2018 Access Mechanisms
SKF January 1, 2000 May 8, 2017 Automotive Bearings
Stanley June 1, 1997 March 8, 2018 Automotive Lamps
July 1, 1998 March 8, 2018 HID Ballasts
Tenneco January 1, 2002 February 13, 2018 Exhaust Systems
Toyo March 1, 1996 September 14, 2017 Anti-Vibrational Rubber Part
January 1, 2006 September 14, 2017 Automotive Constant-Velocity-Joint Boot Products
Usui December 1, 2003 December 20, 2017 Automotive Steel Tubes
VALEO January 1, 2002 January 5, 2018 Access Mechanisms
Yamada January 1, 2005 November 28, 2016 Electric Powered Steering Assemblies
YAMASHITA March 1, 1996 September 27, 2016 Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts

Round 4 Settling Defendants

Defendant Time Period Starts Time Period Ends Auto Part(s)
Brose January 1, 2004 June 14, 2018 Side-Door Latches
Corning January 1, 1990 January 11, 2018 Ceramic Substrates
Delphi January 1, 2000 June 21, 2019 Ignition Coils
Green Tokai January 1, 2000 September 6, 2018 Body Sealing Products
Keihin January 1, 2000 May 22, 2018 Fuel Injection Systems
KYB January 1, 1995 November 6, 2018 Shock Absorbers
Maruyasu January 1, 2000 October 15, 2018 Fuel Injection Systems
December 1, 2003 October 15, 2018 Automotive Steel Tubes
Meritor January 1, 2002 June 5, 2018 Exhaust Systems
Mikuni January 1, 2000 June 18, 2019 Fuel Injection Systems
Valve Timing Control Devices
Mitsubishi May 1, 1999 June 15, 2018 Air Conditioning Systems
Panasonic May 1, 1999 March 11, 2019 Air Conditioning Systems
Sanoh December 1, 2003 April 10, 2019 Automotive Steel Tubes
Showa January 1, 2005 July 10, 2019 Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies
January 1, 1995 July 10, 2019 Shock Absorbers
TKH January 1, 2003 November 27, 2018 Occupant Safety Systems
Tokai Rika January 1, 2000 March 23, 2018 Heater Control Panels
January 1, 2003 March 23, 2018 Occupant Safety Systems
September 1, 2003 March 23, 2018 Steering Angle Sensors
September 1, 2003 March 23, 2018 Switches
Toyo Denso January 1, 2000 April 30, 2018 Ignition Coils
January 1, 2003 April 30, 2018 Power Window Switches
Toyoda Gosei February 1, 2004 July 20, 2018 Automotive Brake Hoses
May 1, 2003 July 20, 2018 Automotive Hoses
January 1, 2000 July 20, 2018 Body Sealing Products
January 1, 2006 July 20, 2018 Automotive Constant-Velocity-Joint Boot Products
June 1, 2004 July 20, 2018 Interior Trim Products
January 1, 2003 July 20, 2018 Occupant Safety Systems

Round 5 Settling Defendants

Defendant Time Period Starts Time Period Ends Auto Part(s)
Bosal January 1, 2002 June 5, 2018 Exhaust Systems
Bosch September 29, 2010 December 31, 2017 Electronic Braking Systems
February 13, 2007 December 31, 2017 Hydraulic Braking Systems
TRW February 13, 2007 December 31, 2017 Hydraulic Braking Systems

Payments to members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes only will be made if the Court approves the Round 5 Settlements and after any appeals from such approval are resolved and in accordance with the proposed revised Plan of Allocation to distribute the Round 5 Net Settlement Funds (see Question 10).

The Round 5 Settlement cases are proceeding as class actions seeking monetary recovery for consumers and businesses in 30 states and the District of Columbia and, except for Bosal, for nationwide injunctive relief to stop the Defendants’ alleged illegal behavior and prevent this behavior from happening in the future (see Question 12).

Purchasers or lessees of qualifying new vehicles or indirect purchasers of any of the replacement parts listed in Question 4 may be members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes entitled to monetary recovery. Only those members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes who, during the relevant time periods listed above, 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. You may have seen a prior notice that indicated that members of the Settlement Classes may be entitled to monetary recovery if the purchase or lease transaction occurred in the District of Columbia or one of the listed states. Please note that the prior information as to the place of the purchase or lease transaction is superseded by this notice.

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7. Who is not included in the Settlement Classes?

The Settlement Classes do not include:

  • Any of the Defendants, their parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates;
  • Any co-conspirators;
  • Federal government entities and instrumentalities;
  • States and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities; and
  • All persons who purchased their vehicle parts directly from the Defendants or for resale.

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The Settlements' Benefits

8. What do the Settlements provide?

The Round 5 Settlements totaling approximately $3.154 million are now being presented to the Court for approval. The Court has already approved the Round 1 Settlements, totaling approximately $225 million; the Round 2 Settlements, totaling approximately $379 million; the Round 3 Settlements, totaling approximately $433 million; and Round 4 Settlements, totaling approximately $184 million. Together, the Round 1 through 5 Settlement Funds total approximately $1.2 billion. After deduction of attorneys’ fees, incentive awards, notice and claims administration costs, and litigation expenses, as approved by the Court, the Net Settlement Funds will be available for distribution to members of the Settlement Classes who timely file valid claims.

The Settlements also include non-monetary relief (see Question 12), including cooperation (with the exception of TKH and Delphi with respect to the Round 4 Settlements), as well as, agreements by these Settling Defendants (the exception of Eberspächer, Hitachi Metals, MAHLE Behr, NGK Spark Plugs, NTN, with respect to the Round 3 Settlements; Toyoda Gosei and TKH with respect to the Round 4 Settlements; and Bosal with respect to the Round 5 Settlements) not to engage in the conduct that is the subject of the lawsuits, as more fully described in the proposed Final Judgments located on the Court Documents page.

The Settlement Funds are allocated to the relevant vehicle component cases as follows:

Auto Parts Round 1 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Automotive Parts Case Settling Defendant Settlement Fund
Air Flow Meters HIAMS $5,047,920
Alternators HIAMS $6,216,420
ATF Warmers T.RAD $741,000
Automotive Wire Harness Systems Lear
KL Sales
Fujikura
Sumitomo
Yazaki
$3,040,000
$228,000
$7,144,000
$35,817,220
$73,267,000
Electronic Throttle Bodies HIAMS $6,870,780
Fuel Injection Systems HIAMS $8,693,640
Fuel Senders Yazaki $58,000
Heater Control Panels Sumitomo $2,182,780
HID Ballasts Panasonic $5,510,596
Ignition Coils HIAMS $7,431,660
Instrument Panel Clusters Nippon Seiki
Yazaki
$4,560,000
$2,675,000
Inverters HIAMS $2,337,000
Motor Generators HIAMS $2,337,000
Occupant Safety Systems TRW
Autoliv
$5,446,350
$19,000,000
Radiators T.RAD $6,669,000
Starters HIAMS $3,832,680
Steering Angle Sensors Panasonic $6,293,229
Switches Panasonic $5,296,175
Valve Timing Control Devices HIAMS $3,972,900
Total $224,668,350

Auto Parts Round 2 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Automotive Parts Case Settling Defendant Settlement Fund
Air Conditioning Systems DENSO
Valeo
$21,836,133
$6,650,000
Alternators DENSO
MELCO
$50,449,261
$17,129,946.08
Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts Sumitomo Riko $10,283,916.10
ATF Warmers DENSO $1,662,943
Automotive Bearings NSK
Schaeffler
$22,420,000
$7,600,000
Automotive Hoses Sumitomo Riko $1,116,083.90
Automotive Wire Harness Systems DENSO
LEONI
Tokai Rika
G.S. Electech
Furukawa
MELCO
$14,531,801
$1,482,000
$760,000
$3,040,000
$42,560,000
$3,211,463.34
Ceramic Substrates DENSO $1,531,138
Electric Powered Steering Assemblies MELCO
NSK
$3,211,463.34
$3,800,000
Fan Motors DENSO $142,120
Fuel Injection Systems DENSO
MELCO
$19,392,650
$3,211,463.34
Fuel Senders DENSO $187,823
Heater Control Panels DENSO $14,676,679
HID Ballasts DENSO
MELCO
$1,424,803
$3,211,463.34
Ignition Coils DENSO
MELCO
$16,746,824
$14,567,197.98
Instrument Panel Clusters DENSO $7,525,762
Inverters DENSO $142,120
Motor Generators DENSO $142,120
Power Window Motors DENSO $142,120
Power Window Switches Omron $3,040,000
Radiators DENSO $15,760,989
Spark Plugs DENSO $9,760,366
Starters DENSO
MELCO
$9,709,228
$16,474,807.24
Valve Timing Control Devices DENSO
Aisin Seiki
MELCO
$4,362,039
$18,620,000
$3,211,463.34
Windshield Washer Systems DENSO $362,978
Windshield Wipers DENSO $3,310,103
Total $379,401,268

Auto Parts Round 3 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Automotive Parts Case Settling Defendant Settlement Fund
Access Mechanisms ALPHA
Valeo
$2,698,000
$760,000
Air Conditioning Systems MAHLE Behr
Calsonic
Sanden
$1,482,000
$5,153,860
$7,600,000
Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts Bridgestone
Toyo
Yamashita
$29,640,000
$34,343,309
$6,080,000
Automatic Transmission Fluid Warmers Calsonic $380,366
Automotive Bearings JTEKT
Nachi
NTN
SKF
$43,418,819
$3,230,000
$6,574,000
$7,600,000
Automotive Brake Hoses Hitachi Metals $1,140,000
Automotive Constant-Velocity-Joint Boot Products Toyo $1,756,691
Automotive Lamps Koito
MITSUBA
Stanley
$21,654,653
$241,876
$12,316,880
Automotive Steel Tubes Usui $5,320,000
Body Sealings Nishikawa $37,620,000
Ceramic Substrates NGK Insulators $12,160,000
Electric Powered Steering Assemblies JTEKT
MITSUBA
Yamada
$4,081,181
$169,313
$2,356,000
Exhaust Systems Eberspächer
Faurecia
Tenneco
$1,368,000
$1,482,000
$17,480,000
Fan Motors MITSUBA $3,664,422
Fuel Injection Systems Aisan
Bosch
MITSUBA
$4,560,000
$2,892,560
$1,378,693
Heater Control Panels Alps $3,230,000
$1,335,346
HID Ballasts Koito
Stanley
$2,883,120
Ignition Coils Diamond Electric $5,396,000
Instrument Panel Clusters Continental $3,800,000
Interior Trim Products INOAC $2,470,000
Power Window Motors MITSUBA $19,180,770
Radiators MITSUBA
Calsonic
$3,664,422
$5,587,612
Shock Absorbers HIAMS $13,300,000
Side Door Latches Kiekert $2,280,000
Spark Plugs Bosch
NGK Spark Plugs
$28,999,168
$12,730,000
Starters Bosch
MITSUBA
$1,039,984
$9,457,353
Windshield Washer Systems MITSUBA $1,548,006
Windshield Wiper Systems Bosch
MITSUBA
$508,288
$32,895,142
Wire Harness Chiyoda $1,915,200
Total $432,823,040

Auto Parts Round 4 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Automotive Parts Case Round 4 Settling Defendant Settlement Fund
Air Conditioning Systems Mitsubishi Heavy
Panasonic
$6,840,000.00
$760,000.00
Automotive Brake Hoses Toyoda Gosei $659,456.20
Automotive Hoses Toyoda Gosei $5,428,166.52
Body Sealing Products Green Tokai
Toyoda Gosei
$950,000.00
$27,148,653.36
Ceramic Substrates Corning $26,600,000.00
Automotive Constant-Velocity-Joint Boot Products Toyoda Gosei $716,505.10
Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies Showa $4,133,735.39
Exhaust Systems ArvinMeritor $760,000.00
Fuel Injection Systems Keihin
Maruyasu
Mikuni
$836,000.00
$108,699.85
$2,675,200.00
Heater Control Panels Tokai Rika $1,366,578.08
Ignition Coils Delphi
Toyo Denso
$760,000.00
$760,000.00
Interior Trim Products Toyoda Gosei $5,089,493.68
Side-Door Latches Brose $2,280,000.00
Occupant Safety Systems TKH
Tokai Rika
Toyoda Gosei
$53,200,000.00*
$28,745,447.27
$5,797,725.14
Power Window Switches Toyo Denso $4,408,000.00
Shock Absorbers KYB
Showa
$28,880,000.00
$9,926,264.61
Automotive Steel Tubes Maruyasu
Sanoh
$5,211,300.15
$8,360,000.00
Steering Angle Sensors Tokai Rika $677,714.01
Switches Tokai Rika $3,410,260.64
Valve Timing Control Devices Mikuni $668,800.00
Total (excluding TKH) $183,958,000.00

Auto Parts Round 5 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Automotive Parts Case Round 5 Settling Defendant Settlement Fund
Electronic Braking Systems Bosch $2,113,887.78
Exhaust Systems Bosal $152,000.00
Hydraulic Braking Systems Bosch
TRW
$128,112.22
$760,000.00
Total $3,154,000.00

*Class Members have a $53,200,000 authorized claim against TKH in bankruptcy proceeding, but they can expect to receive only a small fraction of this amount for distribution to the Class. For this reason, the authorized claim amount is not included in the Round 4 total settlement amount listed above. The Class representatives have also reached a settlement with Takata Corp. in Japanese insolvency proceedings. The settlement provides for a payment of 25,000,000 Japanese Yen (equivalent to approximately $220,000). This settlement as a formal matter is with the Class representatives only, but the proceeds of the settlement will be paid to the same group of purchasers included in the Settlement Class agreed to based on the settlement agreement with Takata Corp.’s U.S. subsidiary, TKH.

Any interest earned will be added to each of the Settlement Funds. More details about the Settlements are provided in the Settlement Agreements, available on the Court Documents page of this website.

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How To Get Benefits

9. How do I Submit a Claim?

You may be entitled to a portion of the Settlement Funds when a distribution is made to members of the Settlement Classes. If you excluded or exclude yourself from the Round 5 Settlements, or if you previously excluded yourself from any of the Settlement Classes in the Round 1 through Round 4 Settlements, you will not receive a payment from those funds.

However, you will be required to submit a Claim Form to be eligible to receive a payment from any of the Settlement Funds. If you already submitted a Claim Form in the previous Settlements (Rounds 1 through 4), you do not need to file another claim to get a payment from the Round 5 Settlements for that specific vehicle or replacement part (as applicable). However, if you purchased additional qualifying new vehicles or indirectly purchased qualifying replacement parts that are included in the Round 5 Settlements and were not mentioned in your previous Claim Form, you should file a new Claim Form for these additional vehicles or replacement parts. You are no longer able to submit a claim for payment from the Rounds 1 through 4 Settlements. The deadline to submit a claim in the previous Settlements has passed.

Claims for Round 5 may be submitted online or by printing and mailing your completed form postmarked by January 7, 2023, to:

Auto Parts Settlements
P.O. Box 10163
Dublin, OH 43017-3163

You may also call 1-877-940-5043, write the Settlement Administrator at the address above, or email info@AutoPartsClass.com to obtain a Claim Form and to request assistance in filing a claim.

If you submit a Claim Form at the Settlement website, you will receive future notifications containing additional important information, including information about any future settlements.

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10. How much money can I get?

At this time, it is estimated that each member of the Settlement Classes who submits a valid claim will receive a payment of at least $100 from their claims across all Settlements (Rounds 1 through 5). The minimum payment is per claimant and not per vehicle. However, the actual amount of your recovery will be determined by the revised Plan of Allocation, which is available on the Court Documents page.

The Court previously approved a Plan of Allocation to distribute the prior settlements minus attorneys’ fees, reimbursement of costs and expenses, notice and claims administration costs (“Rounds 1 through 4 Net Settlement Fund,” collectively with the Round 5 Net Settlement Fund, the “Net Settlement Funds”) from the earlier settlements. However, Settlement Class Counsel are proposing that the Court also approve a substantially similar Plan of Allocation that will apply to the Round 5 Settlements. Based on the proposed Plan of Allocation, the Settlement Administrator will calculate the amounts awarded to each Round 5 Settlement Class Member who files a valid claim. Below is a summary of how claims will be paid:

Claims that would be paid less than $100 will be paid $100.

Claims that would be paid at least $100 will be paid $100 plus a pro rata (or proportional) share of the remaining applicable Round 5 Net Settlement Funds as determined separately for each automotive part (after paying all of the $100 minimum payments).

If the Net Settlement Funds are insufficient to allow a minimum payment of $100 to each claimant, or if the Round 5 Net Settlement Funds are insufficient to allow a minimum payment of $100 to each claimant who does not have a claim in the Rounds 1 through 4 Settlements, the amount to be paid to each claimant will be adjusted based on a pro rata basis.

The pro rata portion of the payment amount will be based on a ratio consisting of the claimant’s total number of vehicles purchased or leased or qualifying replacement parts indirectly purchased, and the total number of qualifying new vehicles purchased or leased and qualifying replacement parts indirectly purchased by other claimants. Claims based on qualifying new vehicles containing automotive parts that were allegedly specifically targeted by Defendants’ alleged collusive conduct will receive more money.

Payments will be based on a number of factors, including at least the number of valid claims filed by all members of the Settlement Class in question and the number of (1) qualifying new vehicles purchased or leased or (2) qualifying replacement parts indirectly purchased.

It is possible that any money remaining after claims are paid will be distributed to charities, governmental entities, or other beneficiaries approved by the Court. No matter how many claims are filed, no money will be returned to the Settling Defendants after the Court finally approves the Round 5 Settlements.

In order to receive a payment from the Round 5 Settlements, you will need to file a valid Claim Form (see Question 9). If you already submitted a Claim Form in the previous settlements (Rounds 1– 4), you do not need to file another claim for that specific vehicle or replacement part. However, if you purchased additional vehicles or replacement parts, which were not mentioned in your previous Claim Form, you should file a new Claim Form for the additional vehicles or replacement parts.

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11. When will I get a payment?

Payments may be distributed to members of the Settlement Classes after: (1) the Court grants final approval to the Round 5 Settlements; (2) any appeals from such approvals are resolved (appeals can take several years to conclude); (3) the claims administration process is completed; and (4) the Court approves the allocation of the Net Settlement Funds.

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12. What is the non-monetary relief?

With the exception of Round 3 Settling Defendants Eberspächer, Hitachi Metals, MAHLE Behr, NGK Spark Plugs, and NTN; Round 4 Settling Defendants Toyoda Gosei and TKH; and Round 5 Settling Defendant Bosal, the Settling Defendants have agreed not to engage in certain specified conduct that would violate the antitrust laws that are at issue in these lawsuits for a period of two years. Additionally, all of the Settling Defendants (except for Round 4 Settling Defendants TKH and Delphi) cooperated with the Class representatives in the litigation.

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Remaining In the Classes

13. What happens if I remain in the Settlement Classes?

If the Round 5 Settlements become final, you will give up your right to sue these Settling Defendants on your own for the claims described in the Settlement Agreements unless you exclude yourself from one or more of the Settlement Classes. You also will be bound by any decisions by the Court relating to any Round 5 Settlements from which you do not exclude yourself.

In return for paying the Settlement amounts and providing the non-monetary benefits, the Round 5 Settling Defendants (and certain related entities defined in the Settlement Agreements) will be released from claims relating to the alleged conduct involving the vehicle parts identified in the Settlement Agreements. The Round 5 Settlement Agreements describe the released claims in detail, so read them carefully since those releases will be binding on you if the Court approves these Settlements. If you have any questions, you can talk to Class Counsel listed in Question 17 for free, or you can, of course, talk to your own lawyer (at your own expense). The Settlement Agreements and the specific releases are available on the Court Documents page.

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Excluding Yourself From The Settlement Classes

14. How do I get out of the Settlement Classes?

The deadline to exclude yourself from the Round 5 Settlements has passed. To exclude yourself from one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, you must have sent a letter by mail stating that you want to be excluded from In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation and specifying from which Settlement Class or Classes (including the specific automotive part case) you wish to be excluded. You could have only requested to be excluded from the Settlement Classes for the Round 5 Settlements.

Your letter must have included:

  • Your name, address, and telephone number;
  • Documents reflecting your purchase or lease of a qualifying new vehicle and/or indirect purchase of the applicable qualifying replacement part (not for resale):
    • Purchase or lease documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase or lease, (b) the make, model, and model year of the new vehicle, and (c) the state where you resided when the qualifying new vehicle was purchased or leased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business when the qualifying new vehicle was purchased or leased;
    • Replacement part documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase, (b) type of qualifying replacement part purchased, and (c) the state where you resided when the qualifying replacement part was purchased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business when the qualifying replacement part was purchased; and
  • Your signature.

If you were seeking to exclude yourself from one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, you were also requested (but not required) to state in your letter the number of qualifying new vehicles you purchased from January 1, 2002, to June 5, 2018.

Any request for exclusion must have been mailed to the address immediately below, and must have been received no later than December 20, 2022:

Automotive Parts Indirect Exclusions
P.O. Box 10163
Dublin, OH 43017-3163

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15. If I did not exclude myself, can I sue for the same thing later?

No. Unless you excluded yourself, you will give up any right to sue the Round 5 Settling Defendants for the claims being released in this litigation.

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16. If I excluded myself, can I still get money benefits?

No. If you excluded yourself from the Settlement Classes in any of the Round 5 Settlements, you will not get any money as a result of the Settlement in that case. However, if you excluded yourself from one or more of the Settlement Classes for any of the Round 5 Settlements but remained in the Settlement Classes for other Round 5 Settlements, you may receive money from the Round 5 Settlements for the Settlement Classes in which you remain a Class member. The deadline to exclude yourself has passed on December 20, 2022.

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The Lawyers Representing You

17. Do I have a lawyer representing me?

The Court has appointed the following law firms as Settlement Class Counsel to represent you and all other members of the Classes:


Class Counsel
Adam Zapala
Cotchett, Pitre, & McCarthy LLP
840 Malcolm Road, Suite 200
Burlingame, CA 94010
William V. Reiss
Robins Kaplan LLP
1325 Avenue of the Americas
Suite 2601
New York, NY 10019
Marc M. Seltzer
Susman Godfrey L.L.P.
1900 Avenue of the Stars
Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067

You will not be charged for contacting these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

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18. How will the lawyers be paid?

At a later date, Settlement Class Counsel will ask the Court for an award of attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses for all of their services to be paid from the total Settlement Amounts established by the Rounds 1 through 5 Settlements, including any interest earned. The total amount of fees requested, combined with all fees previously awarded by the Court, will not exceed 30 percent of the total Settlement Amounts of all of the Rounds 1 through 5 Settlements, including any interest earned.

When it is filed with the Court, Settlement Class Counsel’s application for fees, costs and expenses to be awarded will be made available on this website, and Settlement Class Members who provided their email addresses to the Claims Administrator will also receive an email. Otherwise, Rounds 1 through 5 Settlements Class Members will receive no further notice when this application is filed or the deadline to submit objections about this application.

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Objecting To The Settlements

19. How do I object to or comment on the Round 5 Settlements?

If you had objections to or comments about any aspect of (a) one or more of the Round 5 Settlements, (b) the proposed Plan of Allocation as it applies to members of any of the Settlement Classes (in Round 5), or (c) the future motion by Settlement Class Counsel for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses as it applies to members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, then you were able to express your views to the Court. You could only object to or comment on these matters if you did not exclude yourself from the applicable Settlement Class or Classes.

To object to or comment on a Round 5 Settlement or the proposed Plan of Allocation, or the future motion for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses, you must have done so in writing. Your letter must have specified which Settlement (including the specific vehicle part) you were objecting to and included the following in your objection letter:

  • Your name, address, and telephone number;
  • Documents reflecting your purchase or lease of a qualifying new vehicle and/or indirect purchase of the applicable qualifying replacement part (not for resale):
    • Purchase or lease documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase or lease, (b) the make and model year of the new vehicle, and (c) the state where you resided when the new vehicle was purchased or leased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business;
    • Replacement part documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase, (b) type of replacement part purchased, and (c) the state where you resided when the replacement part was purchased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business;
  • The name of the Settling Defendant whose Settlement you are objecting to or commenting on;
  • The vehicle part case, including the case name and case number, that is the subject of your objections or comments. (You can find the case numbers in the Class Action Complaints on the Court Documents page.);
  • The reasons you object to the Settlement, proposed Plan of Allocation, and/or motion for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses, along with any supporting materials; and
  • Your signature.

Any comment or objection to the Round 5 Settlements, proposed Plan of Allocation, or future motion for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses must have been in writing and mailed to both of the addresses listed immediately below. Objections to the Round 5 Settlements or proposed Plan of Allocation must have been received by both the Clerk of the Court and the Notice Administrator, no later than December 20, 2022. The addresses are:

Court Notice Administrator
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Clerk of the Court
Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse
231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Room 599
Detroit, MI 48226
Auto Parts Settlements Objections
P.O. Box 10163
Dublin, OH 43017-3163

Any objection or comment to the Round 5 Settlements or proposed Plan of Allocation must also have been timely filed with the Court (on or before December 20, 2022) in the case file (or docket) of the specific automotive parts case or cases that are the subject of your objection or comments (e.g., In re Exhaust Systems, No. 2:16-cv-03703). Objections or comments filed only in In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation (the Master Docket, 2:12-md-02311) would not satisfy this requirement.

You will not have an opportunity to speak at the Court’s Fairness Hearing (see Question 22) unless you first submitted a complete, valid, and timely written objection and request the opportunity to speak at the Fairness Hearing. The deadline to exclude yourself or object has passed on December 20, 2022.

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20. What is the difference between excluding myself from the Settlement Classes and objecting to the Round 5 Settlements?

If you exclude yourself from one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, you are telling the Court that you do not want to participate in the Round 5 Settlement(s) from which you exclude yourself. Therefore, you will not be eligible to receive any payment from those Round 5 Settlement(s), and you will not be able to object to them. Objecting to a Round 5 Settlement simply means telling the Court that you do not like something about the Settlement. Objecting does not make you ineligible to receive a payment. The deadline to exclude yourself or object has passed on December 20, 2022.

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The Final Fairness Hearing

The Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve the Round 5 Settlements and proposed Plan of Allocation. You may attend and you may ask to speak, but you do not have to do so.

21. Do I have to attend the hearing?

No. Class Counsel will answer any questions the Court may have. But you are welcome to attend at your expense. If you send an objection or comment, you do not have to come to Court to talk about it. As long as you mailed your complete and valid written objection on time, as described above in Question 19, the Court will consider it. You may also hire your own lawyer at your own expense to attend on your behalf, but you are not required to do so.

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22. May I speak at the hearing?

If you send an objection or comment on the Round 5 Settlements or proposed Plan of Allocation, as described in Question 19, you may have the right to speak at the Final Fairness Hearing as determined by the Court. You cannot speak at the hearing if you do not submit a timely written objection or comment as described in Question 19. You cannot speak at the hearing if you exclude yourself from that specific Settlement Class.

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Get More Information

23. How do I get more information?

These FAQs summarize the Round 5 Settlements. More details are in the Round 5 Settlement Agreements. You can get copies of the Settlement Agreements and more information about the Settlements on the Court Documents page of this website. In addition, the full proposed revised Plan of Allocation is available here. You also may write with questions to Auto Parts Settlements, P.O. Box 10163, Dublin, OH 43017-3163, send an email to info@AutoPartsClass.com, or call the toll-free number, 1-877-940-5043. If you file a claim, you will be notified of any future information concerning these cases.

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