Canadian courts approve settlment for alleged auto parts price-fixing

Canadian courts have approved distributing settlements totaling about $50 million from nine class action lawsuits relating to the alleged price-fixing of certain automotive parts. 

This will be the third and final distribution of settlements that are part of 45 class actions alleging the unlawful conspiracy to fix prices of auto parts for installation in new vehicles, states a press release from law firms representing the class plaintiffs. The defendants have admitted no wrongdoing or liability, it says. 

The release claims that there have been “extensive criminal investigations” worldwide related to alleged price-fixing of automotive parts and that these cases make up the largest anti-trust investigation in history in terms of the number of affected parts, implicated parties, and fines imposed. 

“In Canada, price-fixing conspiracies are prohibited by the Competition Act. The Canadian auto parts class actions allege that the defendants conspired to fix prices for certain automotive parts, causing Canadian businesses and consumers to overpay for vehicles containing those parts,” explained Linda Visser, a partner at Siskinds in London, in the release. “The settlements seek to redress that alleged harm.”

Courts in Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec approved the settlements and protocols for distributing funds to purchasers of vehicles affected by the alleged conspiracy, the release says. It adds that the affected brands and time periods vary from case to case. 

The following vehicles do not overlap with previous distributions and are eligible for new settlement fund claims, the release says: 

• • BMW/Mini Cooper (newly-purchased or leased between Dec. 5, 2014 to May 31, 2017)
  • Ford/Lincoln/Mercury (newly-purchased or leased between Aug. 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017)
  • Hyundai/Kia (newly-purchased or leased between Jan. 1, 2007 to May 31, 2016)
  • Mercedes-Benz/Smart (newly-purchased or leased between Nov. 29, 2004 to May 31, 2017)
  • Mitsubishi (newly-purchased or leased between July 1, 1998 to July 31, 2015)
  • Suzuki (newly-purchased or leased between July 1, 1998 to May 31, 2016)

Consumers, dealerships, and businesses must file a claim to be considered for compensation.

Applications for settlement benefits can be filed online at autopartssettlement.ca on or before May 12, 2026. 

“No wrongdoing is alleged against the automakers,” the release says. “They are not defendants in the class actions. The class actions were brought against the parts manufacturers who allegedly price-fixed those products.”

Between three distributions, more than $185.5 million has been recovered for the benefit of Canadians in the auto parts class actions. 

“We are proud to have recovered a significant amount of money for Canadian consumers and businesses,” said Michelle Segal, BC counsel at CFM, in the release. 

For more information call 1-866-474-4331.

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