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Canadian car owners claim that Kobe Steel and other metal companies misled automobile manufacturers about the durability of the steel they produced.
Plaintiff Danielle Dallarie brings her Canada steel class action lawsuit against Kobe Steel and its subsidaries or affiliates Shinko Wire and Nippon Koshuha Steel.
She claims that from 1977 until 2018, the defendants misrepresented to automobile manufacturers that their steel met certain material and technical standards. The result was allegedly poorly made auto parts and undervalued vehicles.
“Through this suit, Québec indirect purchasers seek to hold the Defendants accountable for this unlawful conduct and to recover damages and the overcharge,” the Canada steel class action lawsuit states.
The plaintiff claims that Kobe Steel supplied metal to numerous vehicle manufacturers, such as Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Subaru Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Hyundai Motor Corporation and Kia Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Corporation, General Motors Company and Ford Motor Company.
The class action lawsuit states that the automobile manufacturers require that the metal used for their products meet certain quality standards including minimal tensile strength and durability ratings.
“Ultimately, the standards are intended to ensure the safety of consumers who use products containing Automotive Metal, as well as the durability of products containing Automotive Metal,” the Canada metal class action lawsuit states.
The plaintiff claims that in October 2017, Kobe Steel revealed that it had altered its quality control certifications, including those that are sent to automobile manufacturers and other businesses. Dallarie notes that these changes made it look like the products had met certain standards set by the automobile industry when, in fact, they didn’t.
The Canada steel class action lawsuit states that the metal created by Kobe Steel is used by vehicle manufacturers to produce doors, hatches, hoods, tubes, and safety wires. The plaintiff states that, because of the acts of the defendants, the auto parts are not safe or durable and are not fit for their intended purpose.
The Kobe Steel class action lawsuit also claims that the “Automotive Metal does not have the necessary characteristics to ensure the safety of passengers, or the durability of parts, in vehicles containing elements made from it.”
In addition, the Kobe Steel class action lawsuit states that the defendant started to make unauthorized alterations in 2007 and perhaps even as early as 1977. Dallarie says Kobe Steel hid these alterations from the automobile manufacturers.
The Kobe Steel class action lawsuit states that, because of the actions by the defendants, the plaintiff and the proposed Class Members were overcharged for their cars because the parts manufactured by the defendants did not meet the standards set by automobile manufacturers.
The plaintiff maintains that the poor quality associated with vehicles made from subpar metal products will result in a faster depreciation of the affected vehicles. In addition to financial injury, the plaintiff claims that she has suffered a loss of enjoyment of her vehicle.
Potential Class Members include: “All Québec residents who (1) purchased or leased a new or used vehicle manufactured by Toyota (including Lexus), Honda (including Acura), Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan (including Infiniti), Kia, Hyundai, Tesla or GM, or (2) purchased parts or replacement parts containing automotive metal manufactured by the Defendants, between 2002 and 2018.”
Did you purchase one of the vehicles or auto parts mentioned in this article? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Klein Avocats Plaideurs Inc.
The Kobe Steel Metal Class Action Lawsuit is Dallaire v. Kobe Steel Ltd, et al., Case No. 500-06-001027-198, in the Quebec Superior Court, Canada.
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6 thoughts onCanada Class Action Says Metal In Cars Isn’t Durable Enough
We have leased two Subaru’s in Ontario during this time period.
Pleaseadd me
I purchased 2 Brand New vehicles that are affected in this lawsuit and would appreciate being included. 1 a GM Product, a Toyota. The GM product never felt solid for sure .
Manitoba here. Why is this limited to Quebec? I have a 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid that has had thousands in frame work done.
Why is it just quebec? I live in Ontario and have a Suzuki. Two of them in fact! Why isn’t the rest of Canada included?
Can people from new brunswick join in this case? I have a good working 2007 Nissan that I’m afraid to drive due to a weak subframe.
…a 2008 mazda that I’ve had to have the frame rewelded, and a 2009 uplander van that has major metal defects.
The chev alero that i had previously was the scaryest ….when the front subframe broke, it allowed both front wheels to steer in different directions.