Details: The Honda air conditioning settlement will resolve a class action lawsuit, entitled Alin v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., that alleges certain Honda Odyssey, Honda CR-V and Acura TSX vehicles contain problems with the air conditioning condensers or compressors. The lawsuit alleges that the Odyssey is unduly prone to damage to the condenser from road debris, and that the CR-V and TSX suffer excessive failures of compressors.
 
Honda denies these allegations, but has agreed to a nearly $40 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve the litigation.
 
Class Members of the Honda air condenser/compressor class action settlement include all persons who purchased or leased (including initial and subsequent owners and lessees) a 2005-2007 Honda Odyssey, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V, or 2004 Acura TSX.
 
As a Class Member, you can receive one of the following benefits from the Honda air conditioning class action lawsuit settlement:
 
Odyssey Sub-Class: Odyssey Settlement Members may receive 100% reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses made to repair "Condenser Road Debris Damage," where the repairs were or are performed within the original 3-year/36,000 mile warranty period. This damage is defined as damage to the condenser that was caused as a result of rocks, pebbles or other road debris striking the condenser.
 
Honda will also make available a screen that will protect the air conditioning condenser in Class Members' Odyssey from road debris damage. Honda will reimburse Odyssey Sub-Class Members for the purchase price of the screen (up to $35.06) as well as reimburse $20 of the labor costs associated with installing the screen if it is purchased and professionally installed on an Odyssey Sub-Class Vehicle.
 
CR-V Sub-Class:  CR-V Settlement Members may receive reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses they incurred within 8 years/96,000 miles from the date of purchase for "Compressor Damage," which is defined as damage to the compressor and associated air conditioning system parts as a result of the failure of the internal components of the compressor and/or the compressor clutch.
 
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses will be based on the following scale:
 
1) Year 3/36,000 miles: 100% reimbursement
2) Year 4/48,000 miles: 80% reimbursement
3) Year 5/60,000 miles: 60% reimbursement
4) Year 6/72,000 miles: 30% reimbursement
5) Year 7/84,000 miles: 15% reimbursement
6) Year 8/96,000 miles: 15% reimbursement
 
TSX Sub-Class: TSX Settlement Members may receive reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred within 8 years/96,000 miles from the date of purchase for "Compressor Damage," which is defined as damage to the compressor and associated air conditioning system parts as a result of the failure of the internal components of the compressor and/or the compressor clutch.
 
Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses will be based on the following scale:
 
1) Year 4/50,000 miles: 100% reimbursement
2) Year 5/60,000 miles: 60% reimbursement
3) Year 6/72,000 miles: 30% reimbursement
4) Year 7/72,000 miles: 15% reimbursement
5) Year 8/96,000 miles: 15% reimbursement
 
How to make a claim under the class action lawsuit settlement:
 
To receive any of these settlement benefits, you must file a claim form and submit any supporting documents showing proof of repair and cost to the Alin Litigation Settlement Administrator postmarked 90 days from the Effective Date. The Effective Date has not been announced yet, but the earliest the claim deadline would be is August 16, 2012.
 
Claim forms and more information on your rights in the Honda Air Conditioning/Compressor Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found at www.AlinLitigation.com.