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 comp