Top Class Actions  |  August 15, 2019

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!

brand new cars in dealership

Several settlements have been reached in a consolidated auto parts antitrust class action to benefit direct purchasers. The settlements resolve claims that several manufacturers engaged in antitrust actions to fix the cost of various auto parts.

Direct purchasers, meaning consumers or companies who purchased the auto parts directly from the manufacturers can benefit from the settlements.

Each type of auto part is subject to its own deadlines and terms. The settlements include compensation for air conditioning systems, alternators, bearings, fuel injection systems, heater control panels, instrument panel clusters, occupant safety systems, power window motors, radiators, small bearings, starters, windshield washer systems, windshield wiper systems, and wire harness products.

Air Conditioning Systems

Calsonic, DENSO, MAHLE Behr, Panasonic, and VALEO have agreed to settle claims that their antitrust actions artificially fixed the price of air conditioning systems. Calsonic will pay $7.92 million, DENSO will pay $100,000, MAHLE Behr will pay $5.5 million, Panasonic will pay $650,000, and VALEO will pay $9.5 million.

The air conditioning systems auto parts class action settlement will benefit consumers who purchased air conditioning systems directly from Calsonic, MAHLE Behr, Panasonic, DENSO, VALEO, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2001 and Feb. 14, 2017.

Full details of settlement payments are not yet available, but settlement counsel will be submitting a plan for compensation for the court’s approval. The deadline for exclusion and objection is Sept. 27, 2019. The final approval hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2019.

Alternators

Mitsubishi, Hitachi, and DENSO have agreed to an auto parts settlement that will resolve claims that their antitrust conspiracy fixed the price of alternators. Mitsubishi has agreed to pay $7,295,825, HIAMS will pay $2,210,769, and DENSO will pay $100,000.

These settlements benefit consumers who purchased alternators directly from Mitsubishi, Hitachi, DENSO, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and March 12, 2018. Documentation of purchases may be needed to validate claims.

In order to receive payment from the settlement, consumers need to file a valid Claim Form by Oct. 11, 2019. The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 16, 2019. The settlement’s final approval hearing is Oct. 3, 2019.

Bearings

Schaeffler has agreed to pay $16,540,647 to resolve claims that they artificially increased the price of automotive and industrial bearings.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased bearings from Schaeffler and/or its subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and March 21, 2017.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was Oct. 2, 2017. The final approval hearing for the settlement was approved by the court on Nov. 15, 2017.

Fuel Injection Systems

Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Mitsuba, and DENSO have agreed to settle antitrust price-fixing claims against them in relation to fuel injection systems. Mitsubishi will pay $2,123,810, HIAMSi will pay $7,356,923, DENSO will pay a total of $100,000, and Mitsuba will pay $529,716.

The fuel injection settlement will benefit all consumers who purchased fuel injection systems directly from Mitsubishi, HIAMS, Mitsuba, DENSO, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and March 12, 2018.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 16, 2019. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2019.

Heater Control Panels

A settlement has been reached between heater control panel customers and Sumitomo, Alps, and Tokia Rika to resolve antitrust class action claims. A total of $5,704,000 will be paid into the settlement fund with Sumitomo paying $579,000, Alps paying $3,250,000, and Tokai Rika paying $1,875,000.

The settlements will benefit consumers who purchased heater control panels directly from Sumitomo, Alps, Tokia Rika, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 13, 2016.

In order to receive payment from the settlement, consumers needed to file a valid claim from by Nov. 21, 2018. The deadline for exclusion and objection was Oct. 5, 2018. The settlement’s final approval hearing was scheduled for Nov. 8, 2018.

Instrument Panel Clusters

Nippon Seiki and Yazaki have agreed to pay $5.25 million and $2.5 million, respectively, to resolve antitrust claims that they conspired together to increase and fix the prices of instrument panel clusters for cars.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased instrument panel clusters directly from Nippon Seiki, Yazaki, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 1998 and Dec. 27, 2016.

In order to receive payment from the settlement, consumers needed to submit a valid claim by Nov. 28, 2018. The deadline for exclusion and objection was Feb. 5, 2018. The settlement’s final approval hearing was scheduled for March 12, 2018.

Occupant Safety Systems

Toyoda Gosei and Tokai Rika have agreed to pay $34 million and $4 million, respectively to resolve price-fixing class action claims regarding their occupant safety systems. Previous multi-million dollar direct purchaser settlements have also been reached with other companies such as Autoliv and TRW.

The settlements benefit consumers who purchased occupant safety systems (seat belts, airbags, etc.) directly from Toyoda Gosei, Tokai Rika, and/or any subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2003 and Feb. 25, 2015.

In order to receive payment, consumers needed to submit a valid Claim Form by Aug. 17, 2018. The deadline for exclusion and objection was July 11, 2018. The final approval hearing for the settlement was Sept. 26, 2018.

Power Window Motors

Mitsuba and DENSO have agreed to settle claims that their antitrust actions resulted in artificially high prices for power window motors. Mitsuba has agreed to pay $3,060,761 and DENSO has agreed to pay $100,000.

The settlement will benefit individuals who purchased power window motors from Mitsuba, DENSO, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and July 19, 2018.

In order to receive payment from the settlement, consumers need to file a valid claim by Nov. 19, 2019. The deadline for exclusion and objection is Sept. 27, 2019. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2019.

Radiators

Mitsuba, DENSO, Calsonic, and T.RAD have agreed to settlement terms that will resolve claims that the companies wrongfully fixed the prices of car radiators. Mitsuba will pay $2,060,956, DENSO will pay $100,000, Calsonic will pay $1.98 million, and T.RAD will pay $2.1 million.

The settlements will benefit consumers who purchased radiators directly from Mitsuba, DENSO, Calsonic, T.RAD, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 1998 and Aug. 14, 2018.

In order to receive payment from the settlement, consumers need to file a valid Claim Form by Oct. 18, 2019. The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 16, 2019. The final approval hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2019.

Small Bearings

Minebea has agreed to pay $9.75 million to resolve claims that they conspired to fix the price of their small bearings at an artificially high level.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased small bearings from Minebea and/or any of their subsidiaries between June 1, 2003 and Feb. 15, 2017.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was Jan. 8, 2018. The settlement’s final approval hearing was held on March 12, 2018.

Starters

Mitsubishi, Hitachi, DENSO, and Mitsuba have agreed to resolve antitrust class action allegations regarding their auto starter products. Mitsubishi will pay $6,754,285, Hitachi will pay $1,368,462, DENSO will pay $100,000, and Mitsuba will pay $2,642,257.

The settlements benefit consumers who purchased starters directly from Mitsubishi, Hitachi, DENSO, Mitsuba, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and March 12, 2018.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 16, 2019. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 3, 2019.

Windshield Washer Systems

Mitsuba and DENSO have agreed to pay $590,134 and $100,000, respectively, to resolve claims that they fixed the prices of their windshield washer systems.

The settlements will benefit consumers who purchased windshield washer systems from Mitsuba, DENSO, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and Aug. 14, 2018.

In order to receive payment from the settlement, Class Members need to file a valid claim by Nov. 12, 2019. The deadline for objection and exclusion is Sept. 27, 2019. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2019.

Windshield Wiper Systems

Mitsuba and DENSO have also agreed to settle claims regarding their windshield wiper systems. Mitsuba will pay $6,116,176 and DENSO will pay $100,000.

These settlements will benefit all consumers who purchased windshield wiper systems directly from Mitsuba, DENSO, and/or any of their subsidiaries between Jan. 1, 2000 and Aug. 14, 2018.

In order to benefit from the settlement, consumers must submit a valid claim by Nov. 26, 2019. The deadline for exclusion and objection is Sept. 27, 2019. The final approval hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2019.

Wire Harness Products

Chiyoda, Fujikura, Furukawa, G.S. Electech, Lear, LEONI, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Tokai Rika, and Yazaki have all agreed to pay into a settlement fund that will resolve claims that their wire harnesses were sold at artificially high prices due to a price fixing conspiracy. In total, the defendants will pay $122,416,560.10.

The settlement benefits consumers who purchased wire harness products directly from Fujikura, Furukawa, G.S. Electech, Lear, LEONI, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Tokai Rika, and Yazaki between Jan. 1, 2000 and Dec. 13, 2016.

In order to benefit from the settlement, consumers needed to submit a valid claim form by Nov. 14, 2018. The deadline for exclusion and objection was Oct. 5, 2018. The final approval hearing was held on Nov. 8, 2018.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who purchased air conditioning systems, alternators, bearings, fuel injection systems, heater control panels, instrument panel clusters, occupant safety systems, power window motors, radiators, small bearings, starters, windshield washer systems, windshield wiper systems, and wire harness products directly from manufacturers during certain time periods.

Potential Award

Payments will vary depending on the individual settlement terms, the number of claims filed, and the amount purchased by each claimant.

Proof of Purchase

Documentation of purchases may be required to validate claims. Federal taxpayer information may also be required.

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

For the alternators auto parts class action settlement: 10/11/2019

For the power window motors auto parts class action settlement: 11/19/2019

For the radiators auto parts class action settlement: 10/18/2019

For the windshield washer systems auto parts class action settlement: 11/12/2019

For the windshield wiper systems auto parts class action settlement: 11/26/2019

 

Passed Deadlines:

  • Wire harness products – 11/14/2018
  • Heater control panels – 11/21/2018
  • Instrument panel clusters – 11/28/2018
  • Occupant safety systems – 8/17/2018
Case Name

In re: Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 12-MD-02311, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Final Hearing

For the air conditioning systems auto parts class action settlement: 11/5/2019

For the alternators auto parts class action settlement: 10/3/2019

For the fuel injection systems auto parts class action settlement: 10/3/2019

For the power window motors auto parts class action settlement: 11/5/2019

For the radiators auto parts class action settlement: 10/3/2019

For the starters auto parts class action settlement: 10/3/2019

For the windshield washer systems auto parts class action settlement: 11/5/2019

For the windshield wiper systems auto parts class action settlement: 11/5/2019

 

Passed Hearings:

  • Wire harness products – 11/8/2018
  • Small bearings – 2/28/2018
  • Heater control panels – 11/8/2018
  • Instrument panel clusters – 11/8/2018
  • Occupant safety systems – 9/26/2018
Claims Administrator

Air Conditioning Systems Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 2530
Portland, OR 97208-2530
888-737-9549

Alternators Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 6727
Portland, OR 97228-6727
888-526-1272

Bearings Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 4230
Portland, OR 97208-4230
888-737-9578

Fuel Injection Systems Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3656
Portland, OR 97208-3656
888-266-9280

Heater Control Panels Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3518
Portland, OR 97208-3518
888-721-6285

Instrument Panel Clusters Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 5110
Portland, OR 97208-5110
800-574-2375

Occupant Safety Systems Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 5110
Portland, OR 97208-5110
877-797-6093

Power Window Motors Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 6389
Portland, OR 97228-6389
877-440-0634

Radiators Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 5270
Portland, OR 97208-5270
877-670-0866

Small Bearings Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3560
Portland, OR 97208-3560
888-396-9607

Starters Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3076
Portland, OR 97208-3076
877-670-0867

Windshield Washer Systems Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 2995
Portland, OR 97208-2995
877-670-0869

Windshield Wiper Systems Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 2838
Portland, OR 97208-2838
877-670-0952

Wire Harness Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 5110
Portland, OR 97208-5110
877-845-2749

Class Counsel

Steven A. Kanner
FREED KANNER LONDON & MILLEN LLC

Gregory P. Hansel
PRETI FLAHERTY BELIVEAU & PACHIOS LLP

Joseph C. Kohn
KOHN SWIFT & GRAF PC

Eugene A. Spector
SPECTOR ROSEMAN & KODROFF PC

Defense Counsel

For Alps:
Anita F. Stork
COVINGTON & BURLING LLP

For Calsonic:
Steven Reiss
WEIL GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP

For Chiyoda:
Michael Martinez
K&L GATES LLP

For DENSO:
Steven F. Cherry
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP

For Fujikura:
James L. Cooper
ARNOLD & PORTER LLP

For Furukawa:
Jack E. Pace III
John H. Chung
David H. Suggs
Demetra Frawley
WHITE & CASE

Larry S. Gangnes
Heidi B. Bradley
Kenneth R. Davis II
Darin M. Sands
Masayuki Yamaguchi
Peter D. Hawkes
LANE POWELL PC

For Hitachi:
Craig P. Seebald
VINSON & ELKINS LLP

For LEONI:
Michael F. Tubach
O’MELVENY & MYERS LLP

For MAHLE Behr:
Michael F. Tubach
O’MELVENY & MYERS LLP

For Minebea:
James L. Cooper
ARNOLD & PORTER KAYE SCHOLER LLP

For Mitsuba:
Rachel S. Brass
GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

For Mitsubishi:
Terrence J. Truax
Charles B. Sklarsky
Michael T. Brody
Gabriel A. Fuentes
Daniel T. Fenske
JENNER & BLOCK LLP

For Nippon Seiki:
A. Paul Victor
WINSTON & STRAWN LLP

For Panasonic:
Jeffery J. Amato
WINSTON & STRAWRN LLP

For Schaeffler:
Mark A. Ford
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE & DORR LLP

For Sumitomo:
Marguerite M. Sullivan
LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

For T.RAD:
Peter L. Simmons
FRIED FRANK HARRIS SHRIVER & JACOBSON LLP

For Tokia Rika:
W. Todd Miller
BAKER & MILLER PLLC

For Toyoda Gosei:
Randall J. Turk
John Taladay
Mark Miller
Heather Souder Choi
BAKER BOTTS LLP

For VALEO:
Brian Byrne
CLEARLY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP

For Yazaki:
John M. Majoras
JONES DAY

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17 thoughts onAuto Parts Antitrust Direct Purchaser Class Action Settlement

  1. Day says:

    Any update on any of these parts

    1. Brian says:

      I have something coming today for power windows part of the settlement. Couldn’t be sure if it’s a check?

      1. Big Mama says:

        Was it a check Brian ? Thank you in advance

  2. Rod says:

    Something coming today for Radiator in unforced delivery not sure what itvis

    1. M.King says:

      Was it a check or deficiency letter? I’m wondering because I’m getting something today too.

    2. Serena says:

      Was it a check and how much? I see something coming today and it appears to be a check.

  3. J.C. says:

    Please add me to this class action lawsuit.

  4. Kari says:

    It was a deficiency letter asking me to finish filing my claim before the deadline.

  5. TIMOTHY MILLS says:

    Please add me

  6. Kari says:

    Something coming in the mail today in IL, will update once received.

  7. Amy Beaulieu says:

    Please add me.

  8. curious says:

    Anyone receive something in the mail today regarding the alternator class action?

    1. Thankful says:

      I am getting something today in Informed Delivery .. Will update when it comes. Hope its a nice one .. Its almost Christmas ;-]

      1. No so thankful now lol says:

        It was a deficient letter booooooooooooooo

        1. Curious says:

          What did it say exactly? Not enough info provided, or?

  9. MARIE WILCOX says:

    add me

  10. Jenny Spratz says:

    Add Me

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.