An estimated one million Canadian vehicle owners could be sitting on unclaimed settlement money. A major class-action lawsuit over automotive parts price-fixing has resulted in roughly $50 million in compensation funds, and eligible claimants are being urged to act quickly before the deadline passes.
If you purchased or leased a new vehicle in Canada between 1998 and 2017, you may qualify for a payment — with eligible claimants receiving a minimum of $25.
What Parts Were Affected?
The settlement stems from allegations that major suppliers conspired to fix prices on critical automotive components. The affected parts include:
- Air conditioning systems
- Door latches
- Braking systems
- Shock absorbers
These price-fixing schemes triggered legal action and criminal investigations across North America and Europe, involving some of the world's largest automakers and parts manufacturers.
Who Is Eligible?
The good news: automakers themselves are not accused of wrongdoing and are not defendants in these cases. The lawsuits target the parts suppliers alleged to have engaged in price-fixing.
To qualify, you must have purchased or leased a new vehicle in Canada during the 1998-2017 window. Proof of purchase documents will strengthen your claim.
Time Is Running Out
Settlement administrators emphasize that the deadline to file a claim is approaching fast. Many eligible Canadians remain unaware of their potential compensation, meaning significant portions of the fund could go unclaimed.
For Alberta and Calgary residents with vehicles from this era, this represents a straightforward opportunity to recover some of the hidden costs embedded in vehicle purchases decades ago. Even modest claims add up when combined across hundreds of thousands of eligible claimants.
Check your purchase documents and file your claim before the deadline expires. The process is typically straightforward, requiring vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and proof of purchase.
This article is based on reporting from the National Post. For additional details on the settlement and claim procedures, visit the official class-action settlement administrator's website.