DRIVERS in four states may be eligible for a one-off payment, but the deadline to claim it is fast approaching.
A class action lawsuit filed in California in September 2022 was resolved after both parties reached a preliminary settlement.
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O complaint launched against Acura, Honda’s luxury vehicle brand, alleged that the company “failed to disclose a defect in the hands-free calling system, HandsFreeLink.”
In agreeing to a settlement, Acura admits no wrongdoing and vehemently denies the claims, but wishes to put an end to the litigation.
The system would supposedly stay stuck “even after the car’s ignition key was turned off,” which created “a constant
and substantial parasitic electrical drain on the electrical system,” according to the claim.
As a result, drivers quickly experienced dead batteries, repeatedly needed battery replacements and experienced “premature failure of other critical electrical components such as alternators,” he added.
Acura owners would then have the option to spend a lot, replacing the defective unit that cost more than $1,000 and have no guarantee that the replacement would work.
The other option was to disable the system, which meant the unit they paid for was unusable.
Now, under the terms of the settlement, eligible class members can receive compensation for damages.
A payment of up to $500 can be received if Acura owners have to replace the HandFreeLink system within 10 years or $120,000 of the new vehicle purchase.
To be entitled to this payment, drivers must present documentation proving the link between the replacement and excess parasitic drainage.
Those who disable the system within the first 10 years of 120,000 miles are eligible for a $350 payment and no evidence of a link to excessive drainage is required.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, drivers must have purchased one of the following vehicles in California, Kansas, New York or Washington.
- 2004-2008 Acura TL
- 2005-2008 Acura MDX
- 2007-2009 Acura RDX
Owners of these vehicles are only eligible for payments if they were purchased before they were 10 years old or had fewer than 190,000 miles.
However, class members only have a few days to file a complaint and action must be taken.
The deadline for eligible application forms is May 30, 2024.
Claims can be submitted here.
What is a class action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or “classes,” a way to come together in court.
These lawsuits are often filed by one or a few people who allege that a company or other entity has harmed a large group of people.
When a lawsuit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar claims to those who filed the lawsuit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue legal action by accepting money.
These payment agreements often include statements from the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination or false advertising are some examples of what can lead to a class action lawsuit at a company’s door.
However, the deadline for objecting to or opting out of the agreement has now expired, meaning that legal rights have now been affected.
The deadline for eligible members to opt out of the deal was April 18.
This ensures that members maintain the right to sue Acura for the same claims made in the lawsuit.
If eligible members do not self-exclude or submit a complaint form, they will not receive any compensation and their legal rights to legal proceedings will be lost.
A final approval hearing for the agreement is scheduled for August 15.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
