A preliminary approval has been granted by the U.S. District Court in a breach of warranty class action lawsuit that was filed against the American Suzuki Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation over damages that were allegedly caused by a defective design in the 2005 and 2006 Suzuki GSX-R motorcycles.
The settlement has been negotiated on behalf of a class including more than 26,000 members after investigations, motion practice and mediation occurred between Suzuki, its U.S. and Japanese Counsel and the counsel for the class.
The lawsuit claimed that a threaded screw hole that was drilled into anon weld location on the frame of the motorcycle created an innate structural instability which increased the potential for a crack or break in the frame while being ridden. Suzuki issued a voluntary safety recall of the motorcycles after the lawsuit was filed.
While Suzuki denies any liability or wrong doing in the manufacture and marketing of the motorcycle, the company has agreed to settle the matter. At this time the preliminary approval leads all involved to believe that the case will be closed when the hearing is held in April.
As dangerous as motorcycles can be to drive and ride, it is important that the manufacturers take every possible precaution to make sure that their products won’t inadvertently cause an accident, damage or death. Even though Suzuki doesn’t admit to any liability in the case, the settlement is designed to appease all parties and the voluntary recall shows that Suzuki aims to provide safe products.