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CONSUMER FRAUD -- CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENTS -- AUTOMOBILE WINDOWS

09-2-0479 Lewin, etc., et al. v. Volkswagen of America, Inc.; Stone, et al., Objectors, App. Div. (per curiam) (11 pp.) In this putative class action lawsuit asserting defects in electric window regulators in some of defendant's vehicles, and knowing concealment of these defects, the trial court aptly concluded that the terms of the settlement -- inter alia, extending the warranties and offering repairs and replacements -- were fair and reasonable; the panel rejects the objecting appellants' contentions that notice of the settlement was inadequate and incorrect; that the $520,000 attorney's fee award was not reasonable; and that class counsel's representation was inadequate.

April

Here is what I did find:

"Window-regulator lawsuit

A suit was filed against Volkswagen for allegedly selling cars with defective window regulators. The affected models include the Jetta, GTI, Golf and Beetle, model years 1995 to the present. More information can be found at Big Class Action.

On December 9, 2003, I received an e-mail stating that the class action suit about the front window regulators was settled:


Dear Consumers:
Â
Thank you for your inquiry concerning the VW Front Window Regulator Class Action. We are happy to inform you that the lawsuit has resulted in a significant settlement to all class members. The class action settlement details are as follows:
Â
a)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The settlement applies to owners and leasees of VW Jetta, GTI and Golf vehicles model years 1999-2002 and VW New Beatle vehicles model years 1998-2002;
b)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â VW has agreed to replace any broken front window regulators on the above-noted vehicles with new re-designed parts at no charge to the consumer;
c)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â VW has agreed to extend the warranty on these window regulator parts to 7 years from the date of manufacture of your vehicle; and
d)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â VW has agreed to fully reimburse every consumer who has had to spend any out of pocket money to repair or replace any front broken window regulator.
Â
If you have any broken or inoperative front window regulators on the subject vehicles, simply take your vehicle to your local authorized VW dealership for repairs and replacements at no cost to you. If you have receipts for any reimbursement requests for monies you may have spent to repair or replace broken window regulators, please mail your request and copies of your receipts to:
Â
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Customer Care Center
Window Reimbursement Request
3499 West Hamlin Road
Rochester Hills ,MI Â 48309
Â
If you have any problems receiving the benefits noted above, please feel free to contact us.


A few months later I received a check for $500. I believe now that the lawsuit has been settled, no payouts will be made to people who werenâ€^TMt plaintiffs in it. However, if your Volkswagen had a problem with the window regulators, you should probably contact the law firm to make sure. The contact information is

Kate Matlock
Stueve Helder Siegel LLP
330 W. 47 th Street
Kansas City, MO Â 64112
800-714-0360 tel
816-714-7101 fax "

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Thanks - I've had two window regulators repaired under warranty, just wondering