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Federal credit and banking laws prohibit credit providers from discriminating based on ethnicity, national origin, or race. The parties have reached a tentative settlement in a nationwide action filed against General Motors Acceptance Corporation on behalf of African Americans who allege that, as a result of company policies, dealers routinely charged black consumers higher interest rates on auto loans than whites with similar financial histories in violation of the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Persons eligible to take part in the settlement should contact attorneys for the class for more information.

A U.S. district judge recently certified a national class-action lawsuit brought by a Detroit businessman against Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc. over diesel engines the company makes for large yachts.

A class action has been filed against the Banc One Acceptance Corporation on behalf of all Florida residents who leased cars from Banc One between October 16, 1998, and October 16, 2003, and who paid "taxes" on itemized fees for wear and tear, excessive mileage and disposition of the vehicles at the end of their lease. The lessees claim that these "taxes" were merely hidden fees and that Banc One either pocketed the "tax" money, or benefited from it prior to forwarding it to the Department of Revenue.

A class action has been filed against the Washington state Department of Licensing on behalf of state drivers whose licenses were suspended through the mail, who allege that their right to due process of law has been violated since they have no opportunity to contest potential errors. The action seeks unspecified compensatory damages.

Alton, Illinois plaintiff’s attorney Lanny Darr filed suit July 11, 2005 against Affirmative Insurance Company because it would only reimburse him $18.90 per day for a rental vehicle. Darr claims he was involved in an auto accident Feb. 14, 2005 with a driver, who was negligent and insured by Affirmative. “Affirmative refused to lease a vehicle for Darr and failed to reimburse for an amount greater than $18.90 per day, which is illegal under Illinois law,” the complaint states. Darr claims he could not drive his Ford Explorer for several days while it was being repaired.

A class action has been filed against BMW of North America, LLC, on behalf of thousands of 2001-2004 BMW X5 owners nationwide, who allege that the sport utility vehicles have defective air bags which can deploy for no reason, and that the company requires owners to sign confidentiality agreements before performing free repairs. The suit further claims that the confidentiality form violates Florida's 1990 Sunshine in Litigation Act barring secrecy about public hazards.

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