If You Own(ed) or Lease(d) a 2002-2006 Model Year Honda CR-V or a 2003-2006 Model Year Honda Element, Your Rights May Be Affected By A Class Action Settlement.
A class action settlement has been reached in four consolidated class action lawsuits pending against American Honda Motor Company, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division (captioned In re American Honda Motors Co., Inc. Oil Filter Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 06-1737-CAS, Lead Case No. 06-01305), alleging that model year 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Honda CR-V and model year 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Honda Element automobiles were defectively designed since the oil filters were located on the same side of the engine block as, and close to, the exhaust manifold so that leaks from the oil filters could spray oil onto a hot manifold, which could result in an under hood oil-fed engine fire, according to the class action lawsuit settlement notice.
The Honda CR-V & Honda Element Oil Filter & Exhaust Manifold class action settlement provides, among other things, that certain settlement class members can submit claims for reimbursement of Uninsured or Unreimbursed losses (i.e., actual expenses incurred by owners or lessees of the vehicles, such as insurance deductible payments, loss of personal property in a vehicle fire, or damage to buildings or property caused by vehicle fire, but not including claims for personal injury, “diminished value” of the vehicles, or perceived underpayment for the value of the vehicle following a fire) arising from an under-hood oil-fed engine fire in a 2002-2006 Honda CR-V and/or 2003-2006 Honda Element during the relevant time period.
The Honda CR-V & Honda Element Oil Filter class action settlement also reportedly provides that settlement class members should receive an owners manual insert for their 2002-2006 Honda CR-V and/or 2003-2006 Honda Element that reminds them of proper oil change procedures, which, if followed, should reduce the likelihood of under hood oil-fed engine fires. To avoid future oil change problems, Honda has reportedly changed the type of gasket used on both factory-installed and OEM replacement oil filters.
Settlement class members reportedly include residents of the U.S., D.C., Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam who purchase(d) or lease(d) a model year 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Honda CR-V and model year 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 Honda Element.
Settlement sub-class (the “Vehicle Fire Class”) members reportedly include members of the Honda settlement class who experience(d) an under hood oil-fed engine fire in a 2002-2006 Honda CR-V and/or 2003-2006 Honda Element and incur(red) “Uninsured or Unreimbursed Losses” as a result during the following time period(s):
2002 Honda CR-V: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2009
2003 Honda CR-V: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2010
2004 Honda CR-V: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2011
2005 Honda CR-V: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2012
2006 Honda CR-V: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2013
2003 Honda Element: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2010
2004 Honda Element: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2011
2005 Honda Element: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2012
2006 Honda Element: Vehicle Purchase/Lease date through 12/31/2013
To make a claim for an “uninsured or unreimbursed loss” under the class action settlement, settlement class members must timely send a valid claim form with any required documentation to:
Honda CR-V and Element Claims Processing
P.O. Box 2902
Torrance, CA 90501
The deadlines for submitting class action settlement claims is set forth in the settlement notice and the claims form, but generally are as follows:
- January 31, 2010 for Model Year 2002 CR-Vs;
- January 31, 2011, for Model Year 2003 CR-Vs and Elements;
- January 31, 2012 for Model Year 2004 CR-Vs and Elements;
- January 31, 2013 for Model Year 2005 CR-Vs and Elements; and
- January 31, 2014 for Model Year 2006 CR-Vs and Elements.
For more information on the Honda CR-V & Honda Element Oil Filter & Exhaust Manifold class action lawsuit settlement and potential settlement benefits, and/or for updates on the settlement, visit the Honda CR-V & Honda Element Oil Filter class action settlement website:
www.crvclassactionsettlement.com
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