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Case ID: 3474 | Automotive | 03/15/2006
A class action has been filed against Shell Oil Company, Motiva Enterprises, LLC, and several other affiliated companies on behalf of persons who purchased sulfur-tainted gasoline from Florida gas stations that were supplied by Shell Oil or Motiva during May 2004. The action seeks an order to force the companies to inspect affected vehicles for up to a year and cover the cost of any repairs up front.
Just before the heavy-driving Memorial Day weekend, Shell Oil Company stopped the sale of gasoline at more than 500 of its stations in the New Orleans area, Miami, and other parts of Florida because of fuel containing excessive levels of sulfur. A small number of stations with other brand names, Sunoco and Hess among them, also may have received the bad gas because Shell and Motiva have exchange agreements with other suppliers. No gasoline stations are named as defendants in the action. The gasoline has already damaged the fuel gauges of thousands of automobiles, and experts fear that unknown future damages to engine components may result from the use of the tainted fuel. Shell officials have said the sulfur-tainted fuel isn't known to cause engine damage, but it can corrode the silver sensors in fuel gauges. The corrosion causes vehicle fuel gauges to become stuck-- besides getting the false notion that their vehicles have more fuel than they do, drivers who use the gas may have to replace their fuel gauges -- a repair that can easily run from $400 to $600. As of June 1, 2004, Shell said it received about 15,000 calls from consumers in Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana about the tainted gas. About 9,000 claims have been filed to fix faulty gas gauges in the three states. They have admitted that problem fuel has turned up in shipments to Miami, Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Lauderdale. The stations in Tampa reopened for business Friday, May 28. Shell officials have suggested that customers experiencing unusual gas gauge readings monitor their mileage or keep fuel tanks filled in order to prevent run-outs. Persons experiencing problems may contact Shell at 1-877-825-2467. Apparently the company is trying to forestall legal liability by mailing out checks to cover fuel gauge repairs-- banking on their assertion that the sulfur will have no future negative effect on autos.
At Lawcash.com, it is our goal to keep you informed about important legal cases, class actions and settlements. Our lawyers offer free legal evaluations in tort cases, class actions, personal injury, and other lawsuits because we are dedicated to helping you resolve your legal complaints. Other Automotive Cases of Interest Sometimes, class actions provide the only means of curbing companies' fraudulent behavior in the arena of consumer services. The parties have reached a tentative $7.35 million settlement in a class action against Sears, Roebuck and Company on behalf of all persons throughout the United States who purchased the Sears AccuBalance tire balancing service between May 1, 1989, and June 30, 1994. Proof of claims forms must be postmarked no later than November 1, 2003, to be considered valid.
Federal antitrust law allows triple punitive damages against entities that are found guilty of unlawfully tampering with the free enterprise system. 63 different class actions have been filed against automotive paint manufacturers on behalf of all persons and businesses purchased automotive paint from January 1, 1993 to at least December 31, 2000. The action alleges that the companies conspired together in violation of U.S. antitrust laws to fix automotive paint prices across the U.S. If you own a Class A or Class C Fleetwood Enterprises recreational vehicle, you may need a supplemental braking system if you tow loads approaching 3,500 pounds. The parties have reached a settlement apparently valued at $8.55 million in an action filed against recreational vehicle manufacturer Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. on behalf of original owners of 1994-2000 Fleetwood Class A or Class C motor homes who still own their RVs. Claim forms must be postmarked by April 18, 2004 to be considered valid. Value added taxes can increase the cost of goods and services considerably. The parties have reached a tentative settlement apparently valued at $300,000 in a class action against car rental booking agency Auto Europe, LLC on behalf of all persons who rented cars for use in Europe either directly from the company or through a travel agent, during the period July 1, 1998, through June 30, 2001. To participate in the settlement, claimants must submit a proof of claim form on or before January 13, 2004. The theory of diminished value asserts that buyers choosing between two otherwise equal vehicles will select one that has not been previously damaged and repaired, even where the repairs to the other vehicle were first-rate. The parties have reached a tentative $1.725 million settlement in an action filed against Southern General Insurance Company on behalf all persons insured under an automobile insurance policy issued in Georgia by the company who made a claim for damage to their vehicle under their collision or comprehensive coverage for a loss that occurred between June 12, 1997, and February 13, 2002, or under their uninsured motorist coverage for a loss that occurred between June 12, 1999, and February 13, 2002. Though there is no claims deadline at this time, persons eligible to take part in the settlement who have not received a notification letter should act as soon as possible to alert the company of their eligibility.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Marco Roldan approved a $33 million dollar settlement, which endeds four years of contentious litigation with Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., DaimlerChrysler Corp. and DaimlerChrysler Motors Co. LLC of Delaware.
The lawsuits alleged that the the car manufacturers knew that 17-inch rims on four of their models tended to bend under normal driving conditions, causing tire deflation, flats and blowouts. The suits charged that the defendants failed to disclose that information to consumers. |
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