NYCshopper
01-20-2006, 05:47 PM
Nissan to pay $325,000 to settle stolen headlights case
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--nissan-stolenhead0119jan19,0,4946485.story
NEWARK, N.J. -- Owners of Nissan Maximas whose headlights were stolen between December 2002 and November 2003 will share in part of a $325,000 payment the company is making to New Jersey to settle a lawsuit the state brought over the thefts.
In March 2004, the state sued Nissan North America alleging the automaker failed to warn customers that the super-bright xenon headlights on its Maximas were hot targets for thieves.
More than 750 car owners were victimized by thieves trying to steal the moon-blue lights from 2002 or 2003 Maximas.
That lawsuit was dismissed, but the state appealed.
The settlement announced Thursday will end the state's appeal, and provide for a $325,000 payment to the state Division of Consumer Affairs. Part of the money will be used to reimburse the state's investigative costs, with the rest going to consumers who had their lights stolen, said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's office.
He could not estimate how much individual vehicle owners might receive. The headlights typically cost about $1,800 to replace _ not counting repair costs for other damage done by thieves, which can bring the total to $4,000 or more.
"This is a fair resolution that takes into account Nissan's collaborative efforts to resolve an issue of importance to its customers," said Assistant Attorney General Michael Shipp.
The state noted that the company began a theft deterrent program in November 2003 that included free installation of a theft-deterrent bracket for the lights.
But in its 2004 lawsuit, the state claimed Nissan knew that its lights were being targeted by thieves for a year before telling customers about it.
A message left with the company's media relations office was not immediately returned Thursday.
The state's lawsuit alleges that on Sept. 26, 2002, the company issued a bulletin to its service technicians stating that a replacement connector kit was available for the headlights damaged by theft.
Two months later, the lawsuit alleged, Nissan sent another bulletin to service reps informing them that a $175 theft-deterrent kit was available "if a customer requests" and "for customer pay only."
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--nissan-stolenhead0119jan19,0,4946485.story
NEWARK, N.J. -- Owners of Nissan Maximas whose headlights were stolen between December 2002 and November 2003 will share in part of a $325,000 payment the company is making to New Jersey to settle a lawsuit the state brought over the thefts.
In March 2004, the state sued Nissan North America alleging the automaker failed to warn customers that the super-bright xenon headlights on its Maximas were hot targets for thieves.
More than 750 car owners were victimized by thieves trying to steal the moon-blue lights from 2002 or 2003 Maximas.
That lawsuit was dismissed, but the state appealed.
The settlement announced Thursday will end the state's appeal, and provide for a $325,000 payment to the state Division of Consumer Affairs. Part of the money will be used to reimburse the state's investigative costs, with the rest going to consumers who had their lights stolen, said Peter Aseltine, a spokesman for the state Attorney General's office.
He could not estimate how much individual vehicle owners might receive. The headlights typically cost about $1,800 to replace _ not counting repair costs for other damage done by thieves, which can bring the total to $4,000 or more.
"This is a fair resolution that takes into account Nissan's collaborative efforts to resolve an issue of importance to its customers," said Assistant Attorney General Michael Shipp.
The state noted that the company began a theft deterrent program in November 2003 that included free installation of a theft-deterrent bracket for the lights.
But in its 2004 lawsuit, the state claimed Nissan knew that its lights were being targeted by thieves for a year before telling customers about it.
A message left with the company's media relations office was not immediately returned Thursday.
The state's lawsuit alleges that on Sept. 26, 2002, the company issued a bulletin to its service technicians stating that a replacement connector kit was available for the headlights damaged by theft.
Two months later, the lawsuit alleged, Nissan sent another bulletin to service reps informing them that a $175 theft-deterrent kit was available "if a customer requests" and "for customer pay only."