Case Background: Facts in the Backdrop of the Incident
Townsend Vance of Texas owned a 2018 Mazda CX-5. Zachary Haines of California owned a 2018 Mazda 3 Touring. Both reviewed Mazda’s marketing materials promoting safety and reliability before purchasing. They later joined a class-action lawsuit against Mazda Motor of America, Mazda Motor Corporation, FCA US LLC, Denso Corporation, and Denso International America. The suit alleged the defendants knowingly exposed vehicle owners to a dangerous fuel pump defect. The pumps, supplied by Denso, were installed in various Mazda and FCA vehicles.
Cause: Events Leading to the Legal Dispute
The defect involved a plastic impeller in the low-pressure fuel pump. Excessive fuel absorption caused it to deform. Manufacturing issues, such as lower resin density and longer solvent drying times, led to surface cracks. Denso’s analysis linked low-density material to field failures. The defect could cause engine stalling or shutdown. Denso recalled pumps made between September 2017 and October 2018, later expanding the recall to include Mazda and FCA. Plaintiffs alleged the companies knew of the danger but delayed disclosure.
Injury: Plaintiff’s Injuries and Their Impact
The faulty pumps caused operational problems. Vehicles hesitated, stalled, or failed to start. Drivers reported losing acceleration at high speeds and seeing the check engine light. These issues increased the risk of collisions. Plaintiffs claimed the defect created ongoing safety concerns. They viewed their vehicles as unsafe for regular use.
Damages: Claimed Damages
Plaintiffs argued the defect reduced vehicle value. They claimed they overpaid for unsafe and unreliable cars. They criticized recall repairs, which replaced only the fuel pump motor, not the entire module. They alleged this left the defect unresolved and sometimes caused additional damage. They sought compensation for financial losses and the risk of harm.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Townsend Vance | Zachary Haines (individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated)
Counsel for Plaintiff: Timothy G. Blood | Craig Wallace Straub | Demet Basar | Dylan T. Martin | H. Clay Barnett III | James Mitchell Williams | Jeffrey S. Hurst | Jennifer L. MacPherson | Paula R. Brown | Rebecca D. Gilliland | W. Daniel Miles III
Defendant(s): Mazda Motor of America, Inc. d/b/a Mazda North American Operations | Mazda Motor Corporation | Denso Corporation | Denso International America Inc | FCA US LLC
Counsel for Defendants: Marion V. Mauch | Mike H. Madokoro | Robert L. Wise | Vincent Galvin Jr | Daniel R. W. Rustmann | Raymond H. Hua | Sheldon H. Klein | Ryan E. Cosgrove | Alexander Michael Carnevale | Scott H. Morgan | Stephen A. D’Aunoy | Thomas L. Azar
Claims: Claims Against the Defendants
Count 1 – Breach of express and implied warranty.
Count 2 – Strict liability.
Count 3 – Negligent undertaking.
Count 4 – Fraudulent omission.
The lawsuit accused Mazda and FCA of falsely marketing vehicles as safe and dependable while concealing the defect. Denso was accused of promoting safety and quality while producing defective pumps. Plaintiffs sought damages, injunctive relief, and a jury trial.
Judgement
On April 15, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered final judgment in the class action Vance & Haines v. Mazda Motor of America, Inc., et al.
The judgment followed the Court’s March 4, 2025 order granting final approval of the class settlement and awarding attorneys’ fees, expenses, and service awards. Under the settlement, all class members (except those who opted out) released all claims related to the lawsuit, the covered vehicles’ fuel pumps, and associated parts. The release covered known and unknown claims under federal, state, or local law, except for personal injury, wrongful death, or physical property damage unrelated to the fuel pump itself.
The action was dismissed with prejudice. Class counsel must file a post-distribution status report within 21 days after distributing the final reimbursement checks for out-of-pocket fuel pump expenses.
Court Documents
Court documents are available for purchase upon request at Jurimatic@exlitem.com