Emily Sortor  |  February 19, 2020

Category: Auto News

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NissanA new settlement could provide repair benefits to Nissan drivers whose vehicles are equipped with what customers say is a defective engine.

Nissan agreed to settle the engine defect class action lawsuit instead of taking it to court in an effort to avoid the costs and risks of further litigation.

Though the settlement presents less risk, court documents indicate that the repair benefits offered to Class Members will cost Nissan around $6 million in total. 

In October 2016, drivers filed the class action lawsuit alleging that certain vehicles possess a defective engine. Allegedly, there are defective parts in the timing chain systems in the engines that can cause the engine valves to have too much slack. This problem then in turn causes the chains to hit other parts of the engine and damage them, according to drivers.

The plaintiffs say that the defect can cause a range of problems, including loud noises, and even catastrophic engine failure that can put drivers and others in danger.

Customers argue that the company violated both federal and Massachusetts consumer protection laws by selling defective vehicles. Allegedly, the company knew of the problem but did not attempt to warn customers or fix the issue.

The plaintiffs also said that the company had breached its contract and express warranty, and was unjustly enriched by the sale of the defective vehicles.

Nissan tried to fight these claims, and moved to dismiss in May 2017. This motion was rejected in 2018, but some claims were trimmed from the engine defect class action lawsuit.

Drivers filed for Class certification in late 2018. Class Members include consumers in Oregon, Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Florida, and New Jersey who purchased certain Nissan vehicles produced in the middle to later end of the last decade. Vehicles included in the proposed Class are the Altima, Quest, Pathfinder, Xterra, and Frontier vehicles.

These consumers may be able to benefit from the proposed Nissan class action settlement. The settlement will not only cover this class action lawsuit, but a separate one filed in the Eastern District of New York over similar issues.

The company has agreed to extend the vehicle warranties from 60,000 miles to 120,000 miles for affected vehicles, along with providing repair reimbursements. Though the total amount of the settlement was not stated, estimates indicate that the total value of repairs and reimbursements for repairs already performed is around $6 million, with each repair or reimbursement worth around $1,500.

Do you drive a Nissan vehicle? How did you choose your vehicle? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.

The Nissan drivers are represented by Adam M. Stewart of Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP, Gary S. Graifman and Jay I. Brody of Kantrowitz Goldhamer & Graifman PC, and Howard Longman and Patrick Slyne of Stull Stull & Brody.

The Nissan Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuits are Duncan, et al. v. Nissan North America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:16-cv-12120, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts; and Chiarelli v. Nissan North America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-04327, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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89 thoughts onNissan Engine Defect Class Action Settlement Reached

  1. Noha Hamayel says:

    Please add me, I have an 09 quest and I’ve spent over $5,000 into it. My transmission shop usually has a lifetime warranty, he told me the transmission was abnormal and not to come back!!

  2. Chauncy says:

    I have Nissan Murano 2017. I’ve sunk a ton of money in it. How do I get more information about this class action.

  3. Princess Graves says:

    I had to get rid of my 2013 Nissan Altima due to engine issues. Wasn’t able to afford getting it fixed.

  4. Dorothy A Bowman says:

    I had to replace the engine in my 2007 Nissan Maxima.

  5. Dorothy A Bowman says:

    I had to replace the engine in my 2007 Nissan Maxima. A new engine costed me close to $4000 bucks. I need to join in this lawsuit.

  6. Kayleen Gillespie says:

    I have a 2015 pathfinder we bought brand new. Is it covered in this?

  7. Nicole says:

    I have a 2005 Nissan Maxima that’s now a paperweight. Thanks Nissan!

  8. Nina Williams says:

    I purchased a 2012 Nissan Altima and have experienced this vehicle cutting off on expressway and constant ticking noise and minimum smoke which I had repaired

  9. Lydia Rodriguez says:

    I purchased a brand new 2013 Nissan Altima in October of 2012. About a year or so later some how the engine froze. Even though I bought the extended warranty Nissan would not help me and I could not buy new engine because it cost $7000

  10. S. Wilson says:

    My transmission is going out I got a claim no. with Nissan but they are telling me they will only cover 80% and depending on this settlement outcome they will reimburse me for the 20%. I want to know the outcome because of they have to cover the repair 100% then I do not want to pay out of pocket and lose the money.

    1. Lanise Harris says:

      I have a 2015 Nissan Sentra how would i find out if i qualify for this. Nissan repair shops have no idea about the transmission recall on my car.

    2. Hannah C. says:

      Owned my vehicle for one year….

      2017 Nissan Altima 68,000 miles CVT needs to be replaced at $4,020.

      Nissan offered 70% of the total cost, leaving me the 30% due.

      Not to mention the tow bill, plus my rental car.

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