On March 4, 2025, Judge Josephine Staton of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granted final approval to a significant settlement involving defective fuel pumps in certain Mazda vehicles. The settlement, valued at over $172 million, benefits over a million owners of nearly 631,000 Mazda vehicles produced between 2017 and 2020.
The settlement includes several benefits for affected vehicle owners. Free repairs and replacements are available for vehicles with defective fuel pumps, regardless of prior recalls. An extended warranty is provided, covering 15 years on fuel pumps for over 510,000 vehicles not previously recalled due to the defective Denso fuel pumps. Furthermore, a warranty extension up to 15 years or 150,000 miles is offered for the 120,000 vehicles that were recalled and had their fuel pumps replaced. During repairs, owners are entitled to free loaner vehicles and towing services if needed. There is also an uncapped reimbursement program for fuel-pump-related repairs, allowing owners to recover their out-of-pocket expenses.
The defect originates from fuel pumps manufactured by Denso, which contained a problematic impeller made of excessively porous material. This impeller can deform by absorbing too much fuel, potentially causing rough engine performance, starting difficulties, and stalling. These issues have led to dangerous driving conditions and near misses, as reported by drivers.
In 2020, Denso issued a recall for its defective fuel pumps found in over 2 million vehicles, including those from Subaru, Honda, Mazda, and Toyota. Mazda subsequently conducted its own recall in 2021 for nearly 120,000 vehicles but failed to cover others. This settlement aims to ensure comprehensive coverage for all affected Mazda vehicles.
This case is part of a series of class actions against auto manufacturers using Denso-made fuel pumps. Prior settlements have resulted in significant economic relief, with Toyota and Denso reaching an estimated $287 million agreement and Subaru and Denso providing $380 million. Litigation involving Honda and Denso is still in progress.