Mazda Reaches Settlement in Connect Lawsuit, Four Drivers Receive Up to $4,000, Attorneys Earn $1.9 Million | Carscoops

      The lead plaintiff is set to receive $4,000, while the other three plaintiffs will each get $2,500. Mazda, however, did not admit that the infotainment system was indeed faulty.

      The lawsuit alleges that infotainment systems experience freezing, stuck boot loops, or complete failures. The affected models include the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-5, CX-9, and MX-5. Despite the settlement, Mazda denies any faults with the system.

      Mazda owners facing issues with malfunctioning infotainment screens may finally find some relief. However, as is often the case, the substantial payout will primarily benefit the attorneys leading the lawsuit rather than the impacted drivers. A U.S. court has given preliminary approval for a settlement in a class action lawsuit against Mazda, initiated last year regarding widespread problems with the infotainment system. This case, initiated by four plaintiffs, focuses on the Mazda Connect system and its consistent malfunctions.

      Initially filed in Kentucky in July 2024, the lawsuit encompasses various Mazda models that feature the previous-generation Connect system, spanning the years 2016-2022 for the Mazda2, 2014-2018 for the Mazda3, and 2016-2021 for the Mazda6, along with 2016-2021 for the CX-3, 2016-2020 for the CX-5, 2016-2020 for the CX-9, and 2016-2023 for the MX-5. The complaint states that the infotainment screens in these vehicles "continuously reboot, freeze, become non-responsive, get stuck in an endless boot loop, or otherwise malfunction."

      The Cause of the Issue

      The issues are claimed to stem from defective SD cards used in the navigation system, coupled with software that fails to manage several critical infotainment functions.

      Catherine Duffy, one of the plaintiffs, bought her 2018 Mazda3 in October 2018. Just a year later, her infotainment system started shutting off, rebooting, and freezing, sometimes every few minutes. By September 2020, the system was entirely unresponsive. A visit to the dealership confirmed her unfortunate situation: her vehicle was out of warranty, and she had to pay $50 for a replacement screen, which also had its own problems.

      Mazda’s Stance and the Settlement

      In connection with the settlement, the Japanese automaker has refuted all claims and allegations regarding faults with the Mazda Connect system. Nevertheless, the company will extend a two-year limited warranty to affected vehicles, covering software updates and hardware repair or replacement when necessary. Vehicle owners may also file claims for reimbursement if they previously paid for screen repairs, with a cap of $1,750.

      Catherine Duffy, the lead plaintiff, will receive $4,000, while the other three plaintiffs will each get $2,500. Ultimately, the real beneficiaries are the lawyers representing these four plaintiffs, expected to receive a substantial $1.9 million for their work.