Apr 16, 2026
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If you bought or leased a new vehicle between 1998 and 2017, there's a decent chance you overpaid — and a class-action settlement is offering some of that money back.
A final disbursement of approximately $50 million is now available through a series of Canadian class-action lawsuits tied to allegations of illegal price-fixing on auto parts. The scheme allegedly inflated the cost of roughly 45 components installed in new vehicles — including air conditioning systems, door latches and shock absorbers — a scheme that lasted nearly two decades (1).
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"It is one of the largest conspiracies in history in terms of scope and fines imposed by regulators around the globe," explained Linda J. Visser, a partner at Siskinds LLP, one of the Canadian law firms involved in the class actions, in a recent interview (2).
But the deadline to claim a portion of the settlement is fast approaching — and set for May 12, 2026. Here's what you need to know.
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What was the price-fixing scheme?
The alleged wrongdoing happened at the parts manufacturing level, not with the automakers themselves. Parts suppliers are accused of coordinating to keep prices artificially high on components that went into new vehicles sold across Canada.
"To be clear, no wrongdoing is alleged by the auto manufacturers, and they had no knowledge of the wrongdoing," Visser explained. "The alleged wrongful conduct is at the parts manufacturing level."
As part of the settlement, parts manufacturers were able to avoid formally admitting wrongdoing or liability. That is standard in class-action resolutions of this kind, but it does not affect eligibility for consumers to collect funds.
"In Canada, price-fixing conspiracies are prohibited by the Competition Act. The Canadian auto parts class actions allege that the defendants conspired to fix prices for certain automotive parts, causing Canadian businesses and consumers to overpay for vehicles containing those parts", explained Visser (3). "The settlements seek to redress that alleged harm."
In total, $104 million has already been distributed through earlier disbursements covering vehicles from Volkswagen, Chrysler, General Motors (NYSE: GM), Honda (NYSE: HMC), Nissan, Mazda and Toyota. The deadline to file for those earlier rounds has passed.
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Who is eligible for the final $50 million?
The newly included vehicles cover six automakers and their brands, for specific date ranges (4):
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- BMW/Mini Cooper — December 5, 2014 to May 31, 2017
- Ford (NYSE: F)/Lincoln/Mercury — August 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017
- Hyundai, Kia — January 1, 2007 to May 31, 2016
- Mercedes-Benz/Smart — November 29, 2004 to May 31, 2017
- Mitsubishi — July 1, 1998 to July 31, 2015
- Suzuki — July 1, 1998 to May 31, 2016
Visser says more than 900,000 notices have already been emailed to settlement class members, which means more than one million Canadians could ultimately qualify for settlement funds.
Anyone eligible will receive a minimum settlement of $25. Auto dealers and those with large vehicle fleets can expect significantly more, but should consult with a legal advisor about maximizing a claim.
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You do not need to have kept your car or your purchase records to file a claim, although having your vehicle identification number (VIN) will help confirm eligibility.
Why this matters beyond a $25 cheque
"Price-fixing conspiracies are harmful to the Canadian economy," Visser said. "They cause businesses and consumers to pay artificially enhanced prices. This class action sought to and did get money back into the hands of the victims of conspiracy."
For most individual claimants, the payout will be modest. But the broader principle — that coordinated price manipulation on widely-used consumer goods carries real legal consequences — is worth understanding. Class actions are one of the few practical tools that allow individuals to hold large corporations accountable without bearing legal costs themselves.
How to file before the May 12 deadline
Claims must be submitted online. The settlement administrator's website — accessible through the Siskinds LLP settlement page (5) — allows claimants to search eligible vehicles by make and model year, then submit a claim.
The process is free and does not require a lawyer. You will need to confirm your purchase or lease of a qualifying vehicle during the applicable window. Claimants who previously filed for an earlier disbursement are not automatically enrolled in this final round — a new submission is required if your vehicle falls in one of the newly eligible categories.
If you received an email notice about the settlement, that notice should include a claim ID and a direct link. If you believe you are eligible but did not receive notice, you can still submit directly through the claims portal.
Article sources
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
CP24 (1, 2); Newswire (3, 4); Siskinds LLP (5)
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Romana King is the Senior Editor at Money.ca. She writes for various publications, and her book -- House Poor No More: 9 Steps That Grow the Value of Your Home and Net Worth -- continues to be an Amazon bestseller. Since its publication in November 2021, this book has won five awards, including the New York CPA Society's Excellence in Financial Journalism (EFJ) Book Award in 2022.
