On October 28, 2013, Judge Margaret Morrow of the Central District of California in Los Angeles approved a nationwide class settlement for over 1.2 million current and former owners of 2006-2007 Honda Civics and certain 2008 Honda Civic Hybrids. The plaintiffs alleged that these cars suffered from a suspension defect that caused irregular tire wear, requiring tires to be replaced more frequently and presenting a potential safety hazard.
Serving as co-lead counsel, Caddell & Chapman defeated a motion to dismiss and achieved a contested certification of a multi-state class. See Keegan v. Am. Honda Motor Co., 284 F.R.D. 504 (C.D. Cal. 2012). Following the Ninth Circuit’s denial of Honda’s Rule 23(f) interlocutory appeal to the Ninth Circuit, Honda agreed to a nationwide class settlement. The settlement provided replacement of allegedly defective control arms in the class vehicles, as well as partial reimbursement for tires replaced due to premature tire wear for class members who timely submitted claims. The claims period is now closed. The Court also awarded $2.8 million in attorneys’ fees, $303,197.14 in expenses, and service awards totaling $35,000 to the class representatives.
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