Spark plugs, oxygen sensors price-fixing $1.4M class action settlement

Two auto parts manufacturers agreed to pay $1.4 million as part of a price-fixing settlement to resolve claims they worked to raise the price of spark plugs and oxygen sensors.

The settlement benefits consumers and businesses who purchased spark plugs or oxygen sensors directly from NGK Spark Plugs or DENSO Automotive between Jan. 1, 2000, and Feb. 4, 2019. Indirect purchasers are not covered by this settlement.

The defendants sold spark plugs under a number of names: NGK Spark Plug Co. Ltd.; NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Holding Inc.; NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc.; NTK Technologies Inc.; DENSO Corp.; DENSO International America Inc.; DENSO Korea Corp.; DENSO International Korea Corp.; DENSO Korea Automotive Corp.; DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH; DENSO Products & Services Americas Inc.; ASMO Co. Ltd.; ASMO North America LLC; ASMO Greenville of North Carolina Inc.; and ASMO Manufacturing Inc.

Spark plugs are a small but vital component in vehicles that allows engines to ignite fuel and operate through combustion, according to Firestone. Oxygen sensors are installed before and after an exhaust’s catalytic converter to determine the amount of oxygen in a car’s exhaust. These components allow the vehicle’s computer to make changes to the amount of fuel injected into the engine.

According to an antitrust multidistrict litigation, two auto parts manufacturers may have worked together to overcharge purchasers for these essential components. 

Plaintiffs in the spark plugs price-fixing case say NGK and DENSO worked together to suppress and eliminate competitor products. These actions allegedly allowed the companies to control the spark plug and oxygen sensor markets — empowering them to fix the price of automotive components. 

As a result of this alleged scheme, direct purchasers were allegedly forced to pay a higher price for spark plugs and oxygen sensors than they otherwise would have in a healthy market.

NGK and DENSO haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay a combined $1.4 million to resolve these allegations. NGK will pay $1.2 million, while DENSO will contribute $200,000 to the settlement fund. Half of the settlement fund will be used for spark plug claims, and the other half will be used for oxygen sensor claims.

Under the terms of the settlements, class members can collect a cash payment based on their direct purchases of spark plugs or oxygen sensors. Class members who paid more for these products will be eligible for a larger share of the settlement fund. Exact payment estimates are not available.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Aug. 8, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the spark plugs and oxygen sensors price-fixing settlement is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2022. 

In order to receive a payment from the price-fixing settlement, class members must submit a valid claim form by Sept. 30, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits consumers and businesses who purchased spark plugs or oxygen sensors directly from NGK Spark Plugs or DENSO Automotive between Jan. 1, 2000 and Feb. 4, 2019. Indirect purchasers are not covered by this settlement.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

May, at a later time, be required to provide copies of some or all of the underlying documentation supporting your claim (e.g., invoices, purchase journals, accounts payable journals, 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

09/30/2022

Case Name

In re: Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation, Master File No. 12-md-02311, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division

Final Hearing

09/15/2022

Settlement Website

AutoPartsAntitrustLitigation.com/SparkPlugs

AutoPartsAntitrustLitigation.com/OxygenSensors/

Claims Administrator

Spark Plugs Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
P.O. Box 4655
Portland, OR 97208- 4655
info@AutoPartsAntitrustLitigation-SP.com
877-890-8078

Oxygen Sensors Direct Purchaser Antitrust Litigation
P.O. Box 4234
Portland, OR 97208-4234
877-890-8128

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

Steven F. Cherry
WILMER CTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP

Steven M. Zarowny
GENERAL COUNSEL
DENSO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA INC