The Automotive Parts Litigation multi-district litigation (MDL) which arose after a DOJ investigation into the automotive industry resulted in numerous manufacturers pleading guilty to charges of price-fixing and bid-rigging. After that, the first civil suit was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan in 2012. Since then, this sprawling litigation grew to encompass hundreds of thousands of vehicles, parts and claimants.

Each lawsuit claims that the Defendants in that lawsuit agreed to unlawfully raise the price of a certain kind of vehicle component part. (For example, one lawsuit is called In re: Radiators, and the affected product is radiators.) As a result of the alleged agreements by Defendants, consumers and businesses who purchased or leased qualifying new vehicles (i.e., not for resale) containing those parts or who indirectly purchased qualifying replacement parts (again, not for resale) from the Defendants may have paid more than they should have. Although the Settling Defendants have agreed to settle, they do not agree that they engaged in any wrongdoing or are liable or owe any money or benefits to Plaintiffs.

Because of the size of the litigation, the settlements were split into five different rounds. The deadline for Rounds 1-4 Settlements was June 18, 2020. The deadline for Round 5 was January 23, 2023.

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The Round 5 Settlement cases proceeded as class actions seeking monetary recovery for consumers and businesses in 30 states and the District of Columbia and, except for Bosal, for nationwide injunctive relief to stop the Defendants’ alleged illegal behavior and prevent this behavior from happening in the future. Purchasers or lessees of qualifying new vehicles or indirect purchasers of any of the replacement parts listed below have been members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes entitled to monetary recovery.

Only those members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes who, during the relevant time periods listed above, purchased or leased a vehicle or purchased a replacement part while (1) residing or (2) as to businesses, having the principal place of business located, in the District of Columbia or the states listed below will be entitled to share in the monetary recovery.

Those states are: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. You may have seen a prior notice that indicated that members of the Settlement Classes may be entitled to monetary recovery if the purchase or lease transaction occurred in the District of Columbia or one of the listed states. Please note that the prior information as to the place of the purchase or lease transaction is superseded by this notice.

The Round 5 Settling Defendants are:

1. Bosal Industries Georgia, Inc. and Bosal USA,
2. Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch LLC,
3. ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp, ZF Friedrichshafen AG (the successor in interest into which TRW KFZ Ausrüstung GmbH merged), and Lucas Automotive GmbH (now known as ZF Active Safety GmbH).

^[1] Previously, TRW settled lawsuits related to Occupant Safety Restraint Systems.

^[2] Previously, Bosch settled lawsuits related to Windshield Wiper Systems, Starters, Fuel Injection Systems, and Spark Plugs, Standard Oxygen Sensors, and Air Fuel Ratio Sensors.

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Yes. The following companies previously agreed to the Round 1 Settlements in the lawsuits:

1. Autoliv, Inc.; Autoliv ASP, Inc.; Autoliv B.V. & Co. KG; Autoliv Safety Technology, Inc.; And Autoliv Japan Ltd. (collectively, “Autoliv”),
2. Fujikura, Ltd. and Fujikura Automotive America LLC (together, “Fujikura”),
3. Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. (“HIAMS”),
4. Kyungshin-Lear Sales and Engineering, LLC (“KL Sales”),
5. Lear Corporation (“Lear”),
6. Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.; N.S. International, Ltd.; and New Sabina Industries, Inc. (collectively, “Nippon Seiki”),
7. Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America (together, “Panasonic”),
8. Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. (incorporating K&S Wiring Systems, Inc.); and Sumitomo Wiring Systems (U.S.A.) Inc. (collectively, “Sumitomo”),
9. T.RAD Co., Ltd. and T.RAD North America, Inc. (together, “T.RAD”),
10. TRW Deutschland Holding GmbH and TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation (now known as “ZF TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.”) (together, “TRW”), and
11. Yazaki Corporation and Yazaki North America, Incorporated (together, “Yazaki”).

The following companies previously agreed to the Round 2 Settlements in the lawsuits:

1. Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. and Aisin Automotive Casting, LLC (together, “Aisin Seiki”),
2. DENSO Corporation; DENSO International America, Inc.; DENSO International Korea Corporation; DENSO Korea Automotive Corporation; DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH; ASMO Co., Ltd.; ASMO North America, LLC; ASMO Greenville of North Carolina, Inc.; and ASMO Manufacturing, Inc. (collectively, “DENSO”),
3. Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and American Furukawa, Inc. (together, “Furukawa”),
4. G.S. Electech, Inc.; G.S. Wiring Systems Inc.; and G.S.W. Manufacturing, Inc. (collectively, “G.S. Electech”),
5. LEONI Wiring Systems, Inc. and Leonische Holding Inc. (together, “LEONI”),
6. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Mitsubishi Electric US Holdings, Inc.; and Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America, Inc. (collectively, “MELCO”),
7. NSK Ltd.; NSK Americas, Inc.; NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.; and NSK Steering Systems America, Inc. (collectively, “NSK”),
8. Omron Automotive Electronics Co. Ltd. (“Omron”),
9. Schaeffler Group USA Inc. (“Schaeffler”),
10. Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. and DTR Industries, Inc. (together, “Sumitomo Riko”),
11. Tokai Rika Co., Ltd. and TRAM, Inc. d/b/a Tokai Rika U.S.A. Inc. (together, “Tokai Rika”), and
12. Valeo Japan Co., Ltd. on behalf of itself and Valeo Inc.; Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.; and Valeo Climate Control Corp. (collectively, “VALEO”).

The following companies previously agreed to the Round 3 Settlements in the lawsuits:

1. Aisan Industry Co., Ltd.; Franklin Precision Industry, Inc.; Aisan Corporation of America; and Hyundam Industrial Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Aisan”),
2. ALPHA Corporation and Alpha Technology Corporation (collectively, “ALPHA”),
3. Alps Electric Co., Ltd.; Alps Electric (North America), Inc.; and Alps Automotive Inc. (collectively, “Alps”),
4. Robert Bosch GmbH and Robert Bosch LLC (collectively, “Bosch”),
5. Bridgestone Corporation and Bridgestone APM Company (collectively, “Bridgestone”),
6. Calsonic Kansei Corporation and Calsonic Kansei North America, Inc. (collectively, “Calsonic”),
7. Chiyoda Manufacturing Corporation and Chiyoda USA Corporation (collectively, “Chiyoda”),
8. Continental Automotive Electronics LLC; Continental Automotive Korea Ltd; and Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (collectively, “Continental”),
9. Diamond Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd. and Diamond Electric Mfg. Corporation (collectively, “Diamond Electric”),
10. Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG and Eberspächer North America Inc. (collectively, “Eberspächer”),
11. Faurecia Abgastechnik GmbH; Faurecia Systèmes d’Échappement; Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC; and Faurecia Emissions Control Systems, N.A. LLC f/k/a Faurecia Exhaust Systems, Inc. (collectively, “Faurecia”),
12. Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. (“HIAMS”),
13. Hitachi Metals, Ltd.; Hitachi Cable America Inc.; and Hitachi Metals America, Ltd. (collectively, “Hitachi Metals”),
14. INOAC Corporation; INOAC Group North America, LLC; and INOAC USA Inc. (collectively, “INOAC”),
15. JTEKT Corporation; JTEKT Automotive North America, Inc.; and JTEKT North America Corp. (formerly d/b/a Koyo Corporation of U.S.A.) (collectively, “JTEKT”),
16. Kiekert AG and Kiekert U.S.A., Inc. (collectively, “Kiekert”),
17. Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and North American Lighting, Inc. (collectively, “KOITO”),
18. MAHLE Behr GmbH & Co. KG and MAHLE Behr USA Inc. (collectively, “MAHLE Behr”),
19. MITSUBA Corporation and American Mitsuba Corporation (collectively, “MITSUBA”),
20. Nachi-Fujikoshi Corp. and Nachi America Inc. (collectively, “Nachi”),
21. NGK Insulators, Ltd. and NGK Automotive Ceramics USA, Inc. (collectively, “NGK Insulators”),
22. NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. and NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.), Inc. (collectively, “NGK Spark Plugs”),
23. Nishikawa Rubber Company, Ltd. (“Nishikawa”),
24. NTN Corporation and NTN USA Corporation (collectively, “NTN”),
25. Sanden Automotive Components Corporation; Sanden Automotive Climate Systems Corporation; and Sanden International (U.S.A.) Inc. (collectively, “Sanden”),
26. SKF USA Inc. (“SKF”),
27. Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.; Stanley Electric U.S. Co., Inc.; and II Stanley Co., Inc. (collectively, “Stanley”);
28. Tenneco Inc.; Tenneco GmbH; and Tenneco Automotive Operating Co., Inc. (collectively, “Tenneco”),
29. Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd.; Toyo Tire North America OE Sales LLC; and Toyo Automotive Parts (U.S.A.), Inc. (collectively, “Toyo”),
30. Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. and Usui International Corporation (collectively, “Usui”),
31. Valeo S.A. (“Valeo”),
32. Yamada Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Yamada North America, Inc. (collectively, “Yamada”), and
33. Yamashita Rubber Co., Ltd. and YUSA Corporation (collectively, “YAMASHITA”).

The following companies previously agreed to the Round 4 Settlements in the lawsuits:

1. Brose SchlieBsysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft and Brose North America (together, “Brose”),
2. Corning International Kabushiki Kaisha and Corning Incorporated (together, “Corning”),
3. Delphi Technologies PLC and Delphi Powertrain Systems, LLC (together, “Delphi”),
4. Green Tokai Co., LTD. (“Green Tokai”),
5. Keihin Corporation and Keihin North America, Inc. (together, “Keihin”),
6. KYB Corporation (f/k/a Kayaba Industry Co. Ltd) and KYB Americas Corporation (together, “KYB”),
7. Maruyasu Industries Co., Ltd. and Curtis Maruyasu America, Inc. (together, “Maruyasu”),
8. Meritor, Inc. f/k/a ArvinMeritor, Inc. (“ArvinMeritor”),
9. Mikuni Corporation (“Mikuni”),
10. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Climate Control, Inc. (collectively, “Mitsubishi”),
11. Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America (together, “Panasonic”),^[1]
12. Sanoh Industrial Co., Ltd. and Sanoh America, Inc. (collectively, “Sanoh”),
13. Showa Corporation and American Showa, Inc. (collectively, “Showa”),
14. Reorganized TK Holdings Trust (“TKH”),
15. Tokai Rika Co., Ltd. and TRAM, Inc. d/b/a Tokai Rika U.S.A. Inc. (together, “Tokai Rika”),^[2]
16. Toyo Denso Co., Ltd. and Weastec, Inc. (together, “Toyo Denso”), and
17. Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.; Toyoda Gosei North America Corporation; TG Kentucky, LLC; TG Missouri Corp.; and TG Fluid Systems USA Corporation (collectively, “Toyoda Gosei”).

The Court has given final approval to the Round 1 Settlements. See Amended Opinion and Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 1 Settlements (August 9, 2016) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

The Court has also given final approval to the Round 2 Settlements. See Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 2 Settlements (July 10, 2017) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

The Court has given final approval to the Round 3 Settlements. See Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 3 Settlements (November 7, 2018) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

The Court has given final approval to the Round 4 Settlements. See Order Granting Final Approval to the Round 4 Settlements (September 23, 2020) (available on the Court Documents tab, in the “Final Approval” section).

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The Settlements generally include the vehicle component parts listed below. The specific definitions of the vehicle component parts are available in each Settlement Agreement. Each of those Settlement Agreements, and the related Complaints, are accessible on the Court Documents page.

You may also select from this drop down for further information on an individual part:

Parts Included in the Round 5 Settlements:

• Electronic Braking Systems prevent cars from skidding by providing electronic stability controls when braking (anti-lock braking system or “ABS”) or under all driving conditions (electronic stability control or “ESC”).
• Hydraulic Braking Systems consist of an actuation system and a foundation system. The actuation system is further made up of a brake booster and main brake cylinder, while the foundation system is further made up of a disc brake with saddle or drum brake and wheel brake cylinder.
• Exhaust Systems “Exhaust System” is a system of piping and other parts that conveys noxious exhaust gases away from the passenger compartment and reduces the level of pollutants and engine exhaust noise emitted. An Exhaust System includes one or more of the following components: manifold, flex pipes, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, isolator/gasket/clamps, resonator assemblies/pipe accessories, and muffler/muffler assemblies.

Parts Included in the Round 1 – 4 Settlements:

• Access Mechanisms are door and trunk handles, door keys and door locks, electrical steering column locks, and mechanical steering column locks.
• Air Conditioning Systems are systems that cool the interior environment of a vehicle and are part of a vehicle’s thermal system. Air Conditioning Systems, whether sold together or separately, include one or more of the following: automotive compressors, condensers, HVAC units (typically consisting of a blower motor, actuators, flaps, evaporator, heater core, and filter embedded in a plastic housing), control panels, sensors, and associated hoses and pipes.
• Air Flow Meters are used to measure the volume of air flowing into motor vehicle engines.
• Air Fuel Ratio Sensors are “wideband” oxygen sensors that enable more precise control of the air-to-fuel ratio injected into the engine. Air Fuel Ratio Sensors are a type of Oxygen Sensor.
• Alternators are electromechanical devices that generate an electric current while vehicle engines are in operation.
• Anti-Vibrational Rubber Parts are comprised primarily of rubber and metal and are installed in suspension systems and engine mounts, as well as other parts of a vehicle, to reduce engine and road vibration.
• Automatic Transmission Fluid Warmers are devices located in the engine compartment of a vehicle that warm the automatic transmission fluid.
• Automotive Bearings are devices in a vehicle used to position, hold, and guide moving parts, as well as to reduce friction between moving and fixed parts. Automotive Bearings are located throughout a vehicle. Automotive Bearings include the following devices used in vehicles: ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, roller bearings, mounted bearings, and parts and components for ball and roller bearings.
• Automotive Brake Hoses are flexible hoses that carry brake fluid through the hydraulic brake system of an automobile.
• Automotive Hoses are flexible tubes used to convey liquid and air in vehicles. Automotive Hoses include low-pressure rubber hoses used in automobile engine compartments and plastic and resin tubes used in vehicle engine compartments and fuel tank modules.
• Automotive Constant-Velocity-Joint Boot Products are composed of rubber or plastic, and are used to cover the constant-velocity-joints of an automobile to protect the joints from contaminants.
• Automotive Lamps include headlamps and rear combination lamps installed by automobile original equipment manufacturers. A headlamp is an Automotive Lamp installed in the front of an automobile, which consists of lights such as headlights, a clearance lamp, and turn signals. A rear combination lamp is an Automotive Lamp installed in the rear of an automobile, which consists of lights such as a backup lamp, stop lamp, tail lights, and turn signals.
• Automotive Steel Tubes are used in fuel distribution, braking, and other automotive systems. Automotive Steel Tubes are sometimes divided into two categories: chassis tubes and engine parts. Chassis tubes, such as brake and fuel tubes, tend to be located in the body of a vehicle. Engine parts, such as fuel injection rails, oil level tubes, and oil strainer tubes, are associated with the function of a vehicle’s engine.
• Automotive Wire Harness Systems are the electrical distribution systems used to direct and control electronic components, wiring, and circuit boards in vehicles. Automotive Wire Harness Systems include the following parts: automotive wire harnesses, automotive electrical wiring, lead wire assemblies, cable bond, automotive wiring connectors, automotive wiring terminals, electronic control units, fuse boxes, relay boxes, junction blocks, power distributors, high voltage wiring, and speed sensor wire assemblies.
• Body Sealing Products are automotive body sealing parts. They are typically made of rubber and trim the doors, hoods, and compartments of vehicles. Body Sealings keep noise, debris, rainwater, and wind from entering the vehicle and control vehicle vibration. In some instances, they also serve as a design element. Body Sealings include body-side opening seals, door-side weather-stripping, glass-run channels, trunk lids, and other rubber sealings.
• Ceramic Substrates are uncoated ceramic monoliths with fine honeycomb structures that, after coating with a mix of metal and other chemicals, are incorporated into automotive catalytic converters.
• Electric Powered Steering Assemblies which are defined to include electric power steering motors, provide electric power to assist the driver to more easily steer the automobile. Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies link the steering wheel to the tires, and include the column, intermediate shaft, electronic control unit, but do not include the steering wheel or tires. “Pinion-Assist Type Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies” provide power to the steering gear pinion shaft from electric motors to assist the driver to more easily steer the automobile. Pinion-Assist Type Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies include an electronic control unit and link the steering wheel to the tires, but do not include the column, intermediate shaft, steering wheel or tires. Electronic Powered Steering Assemblies include Pinion-Assist Type Electronic Powered Steering.
• Electronic Throttle Bodies control the amount of air flowing into a motor vehicle’s engine.
• Fan Motors are small electric motors used to turn radiator cooling fans.
• Fuel Injection Systems admit fuel or a fuel/air mixture into vehicle engine cylinders. Fuel Injection Systems can also be sold as part of a broader system, such as an engine management system, or as separate components. Fuel Injection Systems include one or more of the following parts: injectors; high pressure pumps; rail assemblies; feed lines; engine electronic control units; fuel pumps and fuel pump modules; manifold absolute pressure sensors; pressure regulators; pulsation dampers; purge control valves; air flow meters; and electronic throttle bodies.
• Heater Control Panels are either mechanical or electrical devices that control the temperature of the interior environment of a vehicle. Heater Control Panels can be either manual (referred to as low-grade) or automatic (referred to as high-grade) and are located in the center console, back seat, or rear cabin of an automobile.
• Fuel Senders are devices located inside the fuel tank of vehicles that measure the amount of fuel in the tank.
• High Intensity Discharge (“HID”) Ballasts are electrical devices that limit the amount of electrical current flowing to a High Intensity Discharge Ballast headlamp.
• Ignition Coils release electric energy to ignite the fuel/air mixture in cylinders.
• Instrument Panel Clusters are the mounted instruments and gauges housed in front of the driver of a vehicle. Instrument Panel Clusters are also known as meters.
• Interior Trim Products are automotive plastic interior trim parts. They do not include the main bodies of instrument panels and typically consist of molded trim parts made from plastics, polymers, elastomers, and/or resins manufactured and/or sold for installation in automobile interiors, including console boxes, assist grips, registers, center cluster panels, glove boxes, and glove box doors, meter cluster hoods, switch hole covers, and lower panel covers and boxes.
• Inverters convert direct current electricity to alternating current electricity.
• Motor Generators are electric motors used to power electric drive systems that can also capture and regenerate energy.
• Occupant Safety Restraint Systems are comprised of the parts in an automotive vehicle that protect drivers and passengers from bodily harm. Occupant Safety Restraint Systems include one or more of the following: seat belts, air bags, steering wheels or steering systems, and safety electronic systems.
• Oil Coolers are devices located in the engine compartment of a vehicle that remove surplus heat from the engine oil. (This part does not have its own separate lawsuit. Claims relating to Oil Coolers are brought in the Automatic Transmission Fluid Warmers case.)
• Power Window Motors are small electric motors used to raise and lower vehicle windows.
• Power Window Switches are switches that raise or lower a vehicle’s electric windows.
• Radiators are heat exchangers or other devices that help prevent vehicle engines from overheating or otherwise regulate the temperature of the engine compartment of a vehicle and the fluids passing through it, including all devices physically attached to and sold as part of a radiator.
• Shock Absorbers are part of the suspension system on automobiles. They absorb and dissipate energy to help cushion vehicles on uneven roads, leading to improved ride quality and vehicle handling. Shock Absorbers are also called “dampers.”
• Side Door Latches secure an automotive door to a vehicle body and may be locked to prevent unauthorized access to a vehicle. A “Latch Minimodule” includes the Side Door Latch and all of the related mechanical operating components, including the electric lock function.
• Spark Plugs are located in the engine and deliver high electric voltage from the ignition system to the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.
• Standard Oxygen Sensors are located in the exhaust system and measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust.
• Starters are devices that power a vehicle’s battery to “turn over” and start when the driver turns the ignition switch.
• Steering Angle Sensors detect the angle of the vehicle’s direction and send signals to a vehicle computer, which in turn controls the vehicle stability during turns. Steering Angle Sensors are installed on the steering column of a vehicle and may be connected to part of a combination switch.
• Switches include one or more of the following: steering wheel switch (installed in the steering wheel), used to control functions within the vehicle; turn switch (installed behind the steering wheel), used to signal a left or right turn and control hi/lo beam selection; wiper switch (installed behind the steering wheel), used to activate the vehicle’s windshield wipers; combination switch, a combination of the turn and wiper switches as one unit, sold together as a pair; and door courtesy switch (installed in the door frame), which activates the light inside the vehicle when the door opens.
• Valve Timing Control Devices (also called Variable Timing Devices and/or Variable Timing Control Devices), control the timing of engine valve operation and include the Variable Timing Control actuator or solenoid valve. Some valve timing control devices may also contain an oil control valve.
• Windshield Washer Systems include one or more of the following: pump, hoses, nozzle, and tank necessary to deliver washer fluid to vehicle windows.
• Windshield Wiper Systems include one or more of the following: motor, linkage, arm, and blade necessary to clear water or snow from vehicle windows.

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In class actions, one or more individuals or companies called the “class representatives” sue on behalf of themselves and other people with similar claims in the specific class action. All of these individuals or companies together are the “Class” or “Class members.” In these class actions, there are more than fifty class representatives. In a class action, one court may resolve the issues for all class members, except for those who exclude themselves from the class.

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A separate Settlement Class has been approved or preliminarily approved by the Court in each of the following cases settled by the Settling Defendants and their affiliates. The time period covered by the Settlements for each of the Settlement Classes is provided below:

Round 1 Settling Defendants

Round 2 Settling Defendants

Round 3 Settling Defendants

Round 4 Settling Defendants

Round 5 Settling Defendants

Payments to members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes only will be made if the Court approves the Round 5 Settlements and after any appeals from such approval are resolved and in accordance with the proposed revised Plan of Allocation to distribute the Round 5 Net Settlement Funds (see Question 10).

The Round 5 Settlement cases are proceeding as class actions seeking monetary recovery for consumers and businesses in 30 states and the District of Columbia and, except for Bosal, for nationwide injunctive relief to stop the Defendants’ alleged illegal behavior and prevent this behavior from happening in the future.

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Generally, you may be included in one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes if, at any time from 2002 to 2018, you: (1) bought or leased a qualifying new vehicle in the U.S. (not for resale), or (2) paid to replace one or more of the qualifying vehicle parts listed in Question 4 above (not for resale). In general, qualifying vehicles include new four-wheeled passenger automobiles, vans, sports utility vehicles, crossovers, and pickup trucks. The specific definition of the vehicles, as well as the definition of who is included in the Settlement Classes, is set forth in each Settlement Agreement. Each of those Settlement Agreements, and the related Complaints, are accessible on the Court Documents page.

No claims submitted after June 18, 2020 in connection with the Rounds 1-4 Settlements were accepted.

No claims submitted after shall be accepted.

You will also be able to obtain additional information to learn whether you are a member of one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes by referencing the eligible vehicles listed in the “Vehicles Included in Round 5 Settlements” tab on the home page, calling 1-877-940-5043, or sending an email to info@AutoPartsClass.com.

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The Settlement Classes do not include:

• Any of the Defendants, their parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates;
• Any co-conspirators;
• Federal government entities and instrumentalities;
• States and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities; and
• All persons who purchased their vehicle parts directly from the Defendants or for resale.

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The Round 5 Settlements totaling approximately $3.154 million are now being presented to the Court for approval. The Court has already approved the Round 1 Settlements, totaling approximately $225 million; the Round 2 Settlements, totaling approximately $379 million; the Round 3 Settlements, totaling approximately $433 million; and Round 4 Settlements, totaling approximately $184 million. Together, the Round 1 through 5 Settlement Funds total approximately $1.2 billion. After deduction of attorneys’ fees, incentive awards, notice and claims administration costs, and litigation expenses, as approved by the Court, the Net Settlement Funds will be available for distribution to members of the Settlement Classes who timely file valid claims.

The Settlements also include non-monetary relief (see Question 12), including cooperation (with the exception of TKH and Delphi with respect to the Round 4 Settlements), as well as, agreements by these Settling Defendants (the exception of Eberspächer, Hitachi Metals, MAHLE Behr, NGK Spark Plugs, NTN, with respect to the Round 3 Settlements; Toyoda Gosei and TKH with respect to the Round 4 Settlements; and Bosal with respect to the Round 5 Settlements) not to engage in the conduct that is the subject of the lawsuits, as more fully described in the proposed Final Judgments located on the Court Documents page.

The Settlement Funds are allocated to the relevant vehicle component cases as follows:

Auto Parts Round 1 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Auto Parts Round 2 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Auto Parts Round 3 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Auto Parts Round 4 Settlements and Settlement Funds

Auto Parts Round 5 Settlements and Settlement Funds

*Class Members have a $53,200,000 authorized claim against TKH in bankruptcy proceeding, but they can expect to receive only a small fraction of this amount for distribution to the Class. For this reason, the authorized claim amount is not included in the Round 4 total settlement amount listed above. The Class representatives have also reached a settlement with Takata Corp. in Japanese insolvency proceedings. The settlement provides for a payment of 25,000,000 Japanese Yen (equivalent to approximately $220,000). This settlement as a formal matter is with the Class representatives only, but the proceeds of the settlement will be paid to the same group of purchasers included in the Settlement Class agreed to based on the settlement agreement with Takata Corp.’s U.S. subsidiary, TKH.

Any interest earned will be added to each of the Settlement Funds. More details about the Settlements are provided in the Settlement Agreements, available on the Court Documents page of this website.

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No. Once the Round 5 Settlements become final you will have given up your right to sue these Settling Defendants on your own for the claims described in the Settlement Agreements unless you exclude yourself from one or more of the Settlement Classes. You also will be bound by any decisions by the Court relating to any Round 5 Settlements from which you do not exclude yourself.

In return for paying the Settlement amounts and providing the non-monetary benefits, the Round 5 Settling Defendants (and certain related entities defined in the Settlement Agreements) will be released from claims relating to the alleged conduct involving the vehicle parts identified in the Settlement Agreements. The Round 5 Settlement Agreements describe the released claims in detail, so read them carefully since those releases will be binding on you when the Court approves these Settlements. If you have any questions, you can talk to Class Counsel listed in Question 17 for free, or you can, of course, talk to your own lawyer (at your own expense ).

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No. If you had objections to or comments about any aspect of (a) one or more of the Round 5 Settlements, (b) the proposed Plan of Allocation as it applies to members of any of the Settlement Classes (in Round 5), or (c) the future motion by Settlement Class Counsel for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses as it applies to members of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, then you were given the opportunity to share your views to the Court. To object to or comment on a Round 5 Settlement or the proposed Plan of Allocation, or the future motion for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses, you must have done so in writing and included the following information:

• Your name, address, and telephone number;
• Documents reflecting your purchase or lease of a qualifying new vehicle and/or indirect purchase of the applicable qualifying replacement part (not for resale):
  • Purchase or lease documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase or lease, (b) the make and model year of the new vehicle, and (c) the state where you resided when the new vehicle was purchased or leased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business;
  • Replacement part documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase, (b) type of replacement part purchased, and (c) the state where you resided when the replacement part was purchased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business;
• The name of the Settling Defendant whose Settlement you are objecting to or commenting on;
• The vehicle part case, including the case name and case number, that is the subject of your objections or comments. (You can find the case numbers in the Class Action Complaints on the Court Documents page.);
• The reasons you object to the Settlement, proposed Plan of Allocation, and/or motion for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses, along with any supporting materials; and
• Your signature.

Note that you could only object to or comment on these matters if you did not exclude yourself from the applicable Settlement Class or Classes. Furthermore, claimants must have filed their objection letter referencing the case file (or docket) of the specific automotive parts case or cases that are the subject of your objection or comments (e.g., In re Exhaust Systems, No. 2:16-cv-03703). Objections or comments filed only in In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation (the Master Docket, 2:12-md-02311) would not satisfy this requirement. Furthermore, your objection letter must hve been received by both the Clerk of the Court and the Notice Administrator no later than December 20, 2022.

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No. The deadline to exclude yourself from the Round 5 Settlements has passed. To exclude yourself from one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, you must have sent a letter by mail stating that you want to be excluded from In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation and specifying from which Settlement Class or Classes (including the specific automotive part case) you wish to be excluded. You could have only requested to be excluded from the Settlement Classes for the Round 5 Settlements.

Your letter must have included:

• Your name, address, and telephone number;
• Documents reflecting your purchase or lease of a qualifying new vehicle and/or indirect purchase of the applicable qualifying replacement part (not for resale):
  • Purchase or lease documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase or lease, (b) the make, model, and model year of the new vehicle, and (c) the state where you resided when the qualifying new vehicle was purchased or leased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business when the qualifying new vehicle was purchased or leased;
  • Replacement part documentation should include: (a) the date and place of purchase, (b) type of qualifying replacement part purchased, and (c) the state where you resided when the qualifying replacement part was purchased, or as to businesses, the principal place of business when the qualifying replacement part was purchased; and
• Your signature.

NOTE: If you were seeking to exclude yourself from one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, you were also requested (but not required) to state in your letter the number of qualifying new vehicles you purchased from January 1, 2002, to June 5, 2018. Any request for exclusion must have been mailed to the address immediately below, and must have been received no later than December 20, 2022:

Automotive Parts Indirect Exclusions
P.O. Box 2017
Portland, OR 97208-2017

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No. Unless you excluded yourself, you will give up any right to sue the Round 5 Settling Defendants for the claims being released in this litigation.

In return for paying the Settlement amounts and providing the non-monetary benefits, the Round 5 Settling Defendants (and certain related entities defined in the Settlement Agreements) will be released from claims relating to the alleged conduct involving the vehicle parts identified in the Settlement Agreements. Once the Round 5 Settlements became final, you gave up right to sue these Settling Defendants on your own for the claims described in the Settlement Agreements unless you excluded yourself from one or more of the Settlement Classes. You also will be bound by any decisions by the Court relating to any Round 5 Settlements from which you do not exclude yourself.

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If you excluded yourself from the Settlement Classes in any of the Round 5 Settlements, you will not get any money as a result of the Settlement in that case. However, if you excluded yourself from one or more of the Settlement Classes for any of the Round 5 Settlements but remained in the Settlement Classes for other Round 5 Settlements, you may receive money from the Round 5 Settlements for the Settlement Classes in which you remain a Class member.

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If you exclude yourself from one or more of the Round 5 Settlement Classes, you are telling the Court that you do not want to participate in the Round 5 Settlement(s) from which you exclude yourself. Therefore, you will not be eligible to receive any payment from those Round 5 Settlement(s), and you will not be able to object to them.

Objecting to a Round 5 Settlement simply means telling the Court that you do not like something about the Settlement. Objecting does not make you ineligible to receive payment. Furthermore, If you sent an objection or comment on the Round 5 Settlements or proposed Plan of Allocation, you were given the right to speak at the Final Fairness Hearing as determined by the Court. If your objection letter was not received in a timely fashion, or if you excluded yourself from that specific Settlement Class, you did not have the right to speak The Final Fairness Hearing.

The deadline to exclude yourself or object passed on December 20, 2022.

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If a claim had at least one eligible vehicle or part claimed, it was determined to be payable. If your claim was denied, it was likely for one of the following reasons: did not include any purchase details, had no eligible vehicles, had listed parts that were unsupported by purchase documents or failure to provide necessary defect documentation.

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Emails regarding digital payments for this matter commenced on 12/24/2024 and digital payments will be available to claim through March 24, 2025. During that window, Epiq digital payment emails will be sent from noreply@Epiqpay.com to individuals eligible for payments containing a link to claim their payment. This is normal. If you claim a payment, you will also receive one or more follow-up emails from our payment partner, Tremendous, confirming where your payment is in the process. If you do not immediately claim your payment, you may also receive one or more reminder emails. Upon making your selection the payment portal will inform you when you should expect to receive your payment confirmation email from Tremendous. You should rely on the follow-up email you receive from Tremendous to inform you of the timing of your payment.

Due to variability in individual recipient email account SPAM and junk security settings, users are encouraged to review their junk and SPAM folders in case the digital payment emails went to those locations. Furthermore, due to variability in individual recipient email account SPAM and junk security settings, users are encouraged to review their junk and SPAM folders in case the digital payment emails went to those locations. If so, please move the emails to your inbox and marked the sender as “Trusted” so the mistake is unlikely to happen again.

If you have any questions about the EpiqPay email you received, please provide us with your full name and current email address so we can look up your file. If a tracking number was listed at the bottom of your EpiqPay emails, please provide to us that as well.

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Digital payments are processed quickly, typically-5 business days for the value of the award to reach end user cards or accounts. Upon making your selection, you will start to receive a series of emails from EpiqPay and our digital payment partners, which will keep you apprised of the progress of your payment.

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Claiming your EpiqPay payment is simple and easy. All EpiqPay payment and reminder emails contain a ‘Claim Payment’ link. As long as you click the ‘Claim Payment’ link before the payment expiry date listed in your email, the link will take you to a payment dashboard where you can choose your preferred method of payment. Then click your preferred payment method. Depending on the method of payment you choose, you may be asked to confirm your selection or provide one or two pieces of information so your payment can be processed. After that, you will receive a small number of interim notifications from our payment partner rewards@tremendous.com letting you know your payment is ‘in process’, and eventually you will receive a link to your payment card, if you chose that as your option. Contact information for our payment partner is available on these notifications, in case you experience any issues using your card.

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No. The digital payment options presented to you when you click ‘Claim Payment’ in your EpiqPay email are the only options available to you under this settlement. If none of the options presented to you on the selection screen are of interest to you, a paper check option may be available for this settlement. Please note that the paper check reissue process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.

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After you make your payment selection from the EpiqPay payment portal, within one to three days you will receive a small number of interim notifications from our payment partner rewards@tremendous.com letting you know your payment is ‘in process’, and eventually you will receive a link to your payment card, if you chose that as your option. Please note that the follow-up email will include details on the actual date your payment will be delivered to your account or email.

Due to variability in individual user email account security settings, emails can sometimes go to junk or SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you find any follow up emails there, move them to your inbox and/or mark the email as from a ‘trusted sender’, so that future emails regarding this settlement do not end up in those folders.

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If you already received an email confirming that your payment has been processed, when you contact them reference your claim ID listed above the EpiqPay logo on your post-selection notification email.

For questions about the timing of the delivery of your EpiqPay payment, please provide us with your full name and current email address so we can look up your file. If a tracking number was listed at the bottom of your EpiqPay emails, please provide to us that as well.

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No. Once you have made your choice to redeem your payment digitally, Epiq can no longer convert your payment into a check. If you are having any issues receiving or using your chosen digital payment, please contact our payment partner at help@tremendous.com.

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Don’t! If you unsubscribe from any of the payment emails you receive on this matter, you will no longer be able to claim your payment digitally. If you unsubscribed from receiving digital payment notifications from EpiqPay, but would like to explore a paper check reissue, please let us know.

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If you did not claim your payment by the expiry date listed in your EpiqPay emails, the link will expire, and you will no longer be able to claim your payment digitally.

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We are sorry you did not receive your initial email, but, since you have asked for the payment email to be resent to the same email address we already have on file, we can set your payment email to be resent in the next 3-5 business days. Please be on the lookout for an email from noreply@Epiqpay.com.

If you would like your payment to be reissued, pleases submit a reissue request, Include your name, old and new email addresses, and your current mailing address information. Reissues can take up to 6 weeks to process after receiving your written request, so please be patient while we complete the reissue process. Please note that it is possible you may receive an EpiqPay reminder email to claim your payment even after submitting your reissue request. You are free to disregard this email. You are of course welcome to contact us any time to confirm the status of your reissue request.

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EpiqPay requires that Epiq as administrator has a valid and current email address on file to complete your payment. Given the circumstances with your current email, we can offer to reissue your payment via physical check and mail your check to the address on file. You can email your reissue request to [insert email] or mail to [physical mailing address]. Payment conversion reissue requests take up to six weeks to process, so please be patient while we process your request.

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Those selecting the check tile option on the EpiqPay payment wall will generally receive a physical check 4-6 weeks after making their selection. Please be patient while we process your request. Processing and postal delivery times for checks may vary.

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Those selecting the check tile option on the EpiqPay payment wall will have their check mailed to the address on file. If you are unsure what address Epiq has on file, please provide us with your full name and current email address so we can look up your file. If a tracking number was listed at the bottom of your EpiqPay emails, please provide to us that as well. Please allow 48-72 hours for us to respond to your request.

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According to our records, you are a class member eligible to receive a settlement payment In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation and you filed a claim wherein you elected to receive your payment digitally. Therefore, you are being sent your payment digitally based on a selection you made when submitting your claim

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Epiq is required to distribute payments digitally to eligible class members. Your payment was required to be sent to you automatically and did not require any action on your part. The emails you may have received from noreply@Epiqpay.com provide you the opportunity to claim your settlement award quickly and securely

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EpiqPay is the official digital payment platform for Epiq Class Action and Claims Solutions. EpiqPay offers individuals who are eligible to receive payments in mass actions an easy, convenient, fast, and secure way to claim their payments. General information about EpiqPay is available at https://www.epiqglobal.com/en-us/technologies/epiq-pay.

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The email address you received your payment notification at, as well as the name listed in your emails, is based on information we received as part of a complete and approved claim submission or provided to Epiq by one or more of the Parties in the Settlement pursuant to a Court Order.

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If you have any questions about the EpiqPay email you received, please provide us with your full name and current email address so we can look up your file. If a tracking number was listed at the bottom of your EpiqPay emails, please provide to us that as well.

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The Court has appointed the following law firms as Settlement Class Counsel to represent you and all other members of the Classes:

You will not be charged for contacting these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you may hire one at your own expense.

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On May 9, 2025, Settlement Class Counsel filed a motion to ask the Court for an award of attorneys' fees and reimbursement of costs and expenses for all of their services to be paid from the total Settlement Amounts established by the Rounds 1 through 5 Settlements, including any interest earned. The total amount of fees requested, combined with all fees previously awarded by the Court, will not exceed 30 percent of the total Settlement Amounts of all of the Rounds 1 through 5 Settlements, including any interest earned.

Settlement Class Counsel's application for fees, costs and expenses to be awarded is available on this website, and Settlement Class Members who provided their email addresses to the Claims Administrator were sent an email. Otherwise, Rounds 1 through 5 Settlements Class Members will receive no further notice when this application is filed or the deadline to submit objections about this application. Any comment or objection to the Attorneys' Fee motion must be in writing and be received by both the Clerk of the Court and the Notice Administrator no later than June 6, 2025.

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These FAQs summarize the Round 5 Settlements. More details are in the Round 5 Settlement Agreements. You can get copies of the Settlement Agreements and more information about the Settlements on the Court Documents page of this website. In addition, the full proposed revised Plan of Allocation is available here. You also may write with questions to Auto Parts Settlements, P.O. Box 2017, Portland, OR 97208-2017, send an email to info@AutoPartsClass.com, or call the toll-free number, 1-877-940-5043. If you file a claim, you will be notified of any future information concerning these cases.

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