Top Class Actions  |  September 21, 2018

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!

A class action settlement is now accepting claims for owners of Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractors who bought their mowers at a Sears location. The Craftsman riding lawnmower class action settlement resolves allegations that the tractors contain a fuel line defect that poses a fire risk.

If you purchased a new Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor from Sears Roebuck and Co. between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2015, you could get a free inspection, repair and/or up to $125 in cash from the Sears class action settlement.

Emails regarding the Sears riding lawnmower class action settlement have gone out with Notice ID numbers. Make sure to check your inbox if you bought one of the covered riding lawn tractors.

Plaintiffs Rebecca Rysewyk, Mary E. Rood, Brian Van Vooren, and Katie Smith filed the Sears Craftsman class action lawsuit in May 2015 over claims that certain riding lawnmowers are prone to gas leaks that can cause the vehicles to ignite while in use or just after use.

The Sears riding lawn tractor class action lawsuit says that Van Vooren experienced the fire risk firsthand after mowing his property and parking the mower outside of his detached garage. Apparently, the lawn tractor ignited just as Van Vooren walked away.

Shortly after, the plaintiff allegedly discovered that his garage was on fire, which ended up melting the siding of his house and burned the back of his truck.

Likewise, Smith claims her husband was on a Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor when it caught on fire. Although Mr. Smith was able to extinguish the blaze, the Sears class action lawsuit claims that no compensation was offered to the couple for the defective lawnmower.

According to the Sears Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor fuel defect class action settlement, Class Members can receive an inspection and repair of any loose fuel lines. In addition, those lawnmower owners who have already paid out-of-pocket for fuel defect related expenses can get reimbursed up to $125.

Sears denies the allegations but agreed to settle the litigation after three years to avoid further expense.

Class Members who want to opt out of or object to the Sears lawnmower class action settlement have until Nov. 19, 2018 to do so.

Who’s Eligible

U.S. consumers who purchased certain Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractors from Sears between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2015 are eligible to file a claim. A full list of covered model numbers can be found here. 

Potential Award

Free inspections, repairs and/or up to $125 cash.

Class Members can benefit from the Sears Craftman riding lawnmower class action settlement in a few ways. The settlement offers free inspections and repairs of fuel leaks and/or loose fuel line connections up to three times by an authorized mechanic.

Craftman riding lawn tractor owners are also entitled to up to $125 in cash reimbursement if they paid for the fuel line repairs on their own.

Note: “Qualified Settlement Class Members may receive benefits for each CRLT they purchased during the applicable period that is covered by the settlement.”

Proof of Purchase

The Claim Form asks for documentation regarding out-of-pocket expenses if the Class Member is requesting reimbursement. Otherwise, the name and address of the person who performed the repair and the cost of the work is requested.

Claimants are also required to provide proof of ownership of their Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor in the form of photographs, credit card statements, receipt, invoice etc.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

12/19/2018

Case Name

Rysewyk, et al. v. Sears Holdings Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-04519, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Final Hearing

1/29/2019

UPDATE: The Sears Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on January 29, 2019. Keep checking back and let us know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

Settlement Website
Claims Administrator

CRLT Settlement
c/o Angeion Group
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
1-877-411-5712

info@CRLTsettlement.com

Class Counsel

Edward A. Wallace
Andrew D. Welker
WEXLER WALLACE LLP

Gregory F. Coleman
Mark E. Silvey
GREG COLEMAN LAW PC

Shanon J. Carson
Michael T. Fantini
BERGER MONTAGUE

Defense Counsel

Michael John Alonso
John H. Beisner
Richard Todd Bernardo
Christopher Dominick Cox
Jessica A Frogge
Jessica Davidson Miller
Nina R. Rose
R. Ryan Stoll
Geoffrey M Wyatt
SKADDEN ARPS SLATE MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

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44 thoughts onSears Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor Class Action Settlement

  1. KAREN SIDES says:

    please add me to the list – I have not had any major problems so far – I am a single female – do all of my yard work myself – I dont use the tractor very much because it is so big and my front yard and back yard are small – I do use it for a larger area outside the fence – I does not cut in the middle and this frustrates me — I have no way to take the mower to a repair shop — My warranty expires probably this month —

  2. Debra Estrada says:

    Thank you.

  3. Casey Lynn Ferry says:

    Add me please, I hope it don’t luck out & catch fire like it almost has severe times since purchase before

  4. Cynthia Lee Herr says:

    I haven’t had an issue at all with my black beauty, I purchased her in 2015, I have replaced the battery, but seriously a battery it’s only guaranteed for 3 yrs. anyway right, so it was due.. I take her in for regular oil changes and maintenance check’s every year..I am completely satisfied with my lawn tractor.

  5. Linda Bradshaw says:

    I wish we had our paper work and info on ours. Several years ago, our Craftsman lawnmower caught fire and burned our field and blew up our lawnmower. We had the fire department come and help put it out.

  6. Prent Wheat says:

    We purchased a Craftsman Lawn Tractor 6/06/2014, 22hp,42″cut, and have had nothing but problems. Purchased additional warranty and lucky for us we did. They replaced the transaxle twice because of leaking seals, the last time repairman was told just to change seal. It worked until warranty went out. Now i have changed the seal myself 1 time. I am totally embarrased by bragging on Craftsman for so long, after paying the price for this mower with a plastic transaxle.

  7. William ailin says:

    I don’t have my receipt guess I list out hope mine don’t catch fire

  8. Denise Gendreau says:

    This shows us why Sears is going out of business and has dropped the copyright on Craftsman tools.

  9. Bob hansen says:

    We havent had a gas leak had bad gas cap that they replaced but theres been an oil leak since we bought it. I had heart surgery in 2011 (why we bought it) and one in 2012 and never got it in. The quality of their product is really pathetic. Doesnt matter if its appliances or tractors..wife was moving our 1 year old fridge to clean behind it, wheel broke off tore a hole in our brand new linoleum floor. Called sears said warranty wouldn’t cover because we didn’t have sears repair guy move the fridge!! Really??!!!

  10. Greg Wilson says:

    Ever since I’ve own this mower. I had, that I can remember. 3 or 4 mandrels replaced. The mower blade shroud is broken it has been sitting in my back yard for over a year. I ended up buying a different brand mower. I really feel that sears should reimburse me, their junk mower.

    1. Kevin says:

      My drive belt kept coming off breaking the fan blade under the mower to the point they replaced the mower once and the new mower did the same thing the first use. Sears then told me that the warranty was out and started at the time of the original purchase and not the time of replacement. Same issue over and over. Frustrating.

      1. William says:

        I bought a craftsman lawn tractor I had no issue with it so far I bought in 2014 their is a metal ring came lose from the axle how ever its be a good one so far

    2. C Grimaldi says:

      Why? Companies will not admit their responsibiity unless they are made to in a court of law. They just brush off the single consumer, and nothing gets done until they are faced with class action.
      I know, been there, done that. All you get is frustration and a total waste of time.

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