Here’s what you need to know:
For the past 15 years, thousands of Honda Civic and Acura CSX cars sold in North America have had a paint defect. In Quebec, the problem has been recognized for several years by Honda Canada. In 2019, two law firms obtained authorization to start a class action on behalf of the owners of Honda Civic, produced between 2006 and 2013 inclusive, and Acura CSX, built between 2006 and 2011 inclusive.
On April 25, lawyers from CBL & Associés and BG Avocats reached an agreement with Honda Canada to put an end to the class action. Thus, owners could share up to $27 million, or a maximum of $2,675 per eligible owner.
Judge Martin F. Sheehan will examine the agreement during a hearing at the end of June.
Who will be able to take advantage of the agreement?
If the judge ratifies the agreement, owners who bought a 2006-2013 Honda Civic or a 2006-2011 Acura CSX in Quebec will be able to submit a claim. Their vehicle will have to present problems of delamination or degradation of paint. These owners will have to provide supporting documents, the details of which will be revealed next fall.
It is estimated that between 15,000 and 30,000 owners in Quebec will be able to benefit from this agreement. It concerns both current owners and former owners.
Indeed, even if you have sold your vehicle, you are automatically included in this settlement.
However, if you purchased a used Honda Civic or Acura CSX vehicle when it already had delamination issues, you are not covered by this agreement. It is assumed that the price of the vehicle has been revised downwards, as a result of these known defects.
However, you could submit a claim if, at the time of purchase, the vehicle was free from defects. You will need to demonstrate that the paint problems started to show up after purchase.
If you are affected by the problem and wish to take advantage of the settlement, you have nothing to do or no one to contact in the coming months.
Don’t want to be part of this deal? You can exclude yourself from the agreement or oppose it. You will have to do it no later than June 17th. Forms will be available on the Administrator’s website www.civiccsxactioncollectivepeinture.ca (New window) by May 16, 2022.
If you chose to exclude yourself from the agreement, you can present your case before the Small Claims Court.
How much can you claim?
Once again, if the judge ratifies the agreement, you may first receive an amount of $125 for the omission of a material fact relating to the sale. For this claim, Honda Canada must have sold the vehicle to you. You could also receive an additional amount, which is decreasing according to your situation and the model and year of your vehicle.
Three main scenarios:
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You can receive up to $2,550 to have your vehicle repainted. You will be entitled to this amount whether you still own the vehicle or have since sold it. About a hundred coachbuilders in Quebec are authorized to carry out the work.
To not forget
By May 16, the 150,000 Honda Civic (2006-2013) and Acura CSX (2006-2011) owners will be notified personally by email about the existence of this agreement.
If the judge approves the draft agreement, a claims period will open in the fall of 2022. It will last six months. An advertising campaign will detail the terms of the claim, such as how to route the claim, the evidence accepted, etc.
Even if you opted out of the class action, you can still reinstate yourself in the class action. In the short term, you don’t need to contact anyone. You will need to report to the Administrator by filing a claim in the fall.
If all goes as planned, the distribution of compensation could begin in the summer of 2023.
The bill will continue to follow the file.
The show The bill airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. on ICI Télé.
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Journalist Nancy Desjardins and director Martin Jolicoeur brought this situation to light.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca