About this case...
In early 2011, New York Consumer Protection law firm, Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP, together with national class action firm Roddy, Klein & Ryan of Boston, MA and Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP filed a class action lawsuit against Porsche Cars North America, Inc. ("Porsche"), regarding defective coolant pipes in Porsche Cayenne model vehicles. The lawsuits allege, generally, that Porsche knowingly manufactured Cayenne models with plastic coolant tubes that degrade and fracture causing engine coolant to leak into the engine, leading to signficant engine damage, and hid its knowldge of the defect from Cayenne owners. When the plastic coolant tubes fail, Cayenne owners are forced to purchase and install a costly "update kit" from Porsche which contains aluminum coolant pipes. Thsi website will assist those that are facing similar porblems in understanding the current litigation and how a potential class member may get involved.
Similar lawsuits have been filed in several states around the country. All of these lawsuits have now been consolidated with one judge, the Honorable Gregory Frost, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Judge Frost has appointed four law firms, including Roddy, Klein & Ryan and Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP to serve as interim co-lead counsel for Plaintiffs. Judge Frost also appointed Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP, to serve on Plaintiffs' executive committee.
If the lawsuits are successful, Porsche will be required to issue a recall and pay money damages.
For more information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did these lawsuits originate?
Who are the attorneys bringing this case?
Am I a member of the class represented in this case?
I am a "class member," now what?
Whoa are the attorneys bringing this case?
What will class members get if Porsche loses or settles?
What is this lawsuit about?
Several Porsche Cayenne owners from across the country have filed class action lawsuits against Porsche Cars North America, Inc, alleging that Porsche knowingly manufactured Cayenne model vehicles with plastic coolant tubes that degrade and fracture causing engine coolant to leak into the engine, potentially leading to significant engine damage. Porsche has known about this defect and failed to make consumers aware of the potential failure despite the risk to the owner’s safety and pocketbook.
When and where did these lawsuits originate?
The New York Consumer Protection law firm, Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP, together with national class action firm Roddy, Klein & Ryan of Boston, MA filed an initial class action lawsuit in New York Federal Court against Porsche Cars North America, Inc., on January 5, 2011 on behalf of Porsche Cayenne owner Dane McIntosh and all others similarly situated in that state. The two law firms filed a similar case on January 14, 2011 in United States District Court, District of New Jersey on behalf of Porsche Cayenne owner Nicholas Spagnoletti and all others similarly situated in the state of New Jersey.
On February 2, 2011, the two law firms, along with Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP, of Burlingame, California, filed a similar case in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California on behalf of Porsche Cayenne Owners David Graas and Sean Krider. On February 8, 2011, the Ohio law firm of Isaac, Brant, Ledman & Teetor, LLP, filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Plaintiff Douglas J. Suter in the Southern District of Ohio as well as in the Middle District of Florida on behalf of Plaintiff Joseph Dudley. The law firm of Wolf, Haldenstein, Adler, Freeman & Herz, LLC filed their class action lawsuit on April 18, 2011 in the Northern District of Georgia. Similar lawsuits were also filed subsequently in the Central District of California and the Northern District of Texas by the law firm of Bailey Perrin Bailey.
On May 23, 2011, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated the existing lawsuits to the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio to be heard before the Honorable Gregory Frost as a Multi-District Litigation proceeding. Judge Frost issued an order permitting Plaintiffs to file a consolidated complaint on behalf of a potential national class as well as individual state classes.
What is a class action?
A class action is a lawsuit brought by individuals on behalf of a larger group of people with the same basic legal claims. A judge must decide if the case meets the requirements for a class action. If these requirements are met, class members are automatically covered by the suit, unless they ask to be excluded.
Who are the attorneys bringing this case?
Several law firms with an extensive range of class action experience are working together on this case:
Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP
1025 Westchester Ave., Suite 108
White Plains, NY 10604-800-685-2580
Ph: 1-800-685-2580
www.NewYorkConsumerProtection.com
Roddy, Klein & Ryan
727 Atlantic Ave., Suite 200
Boston, MA 02111
Ph: (617) 357-5500
www.roddykleinryan.com
Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP
840 Malcolm Road
Burlingame, CA 94402
Ph: (650) 697-6000
www.cpmlegal.com
The law firms of Isaac, Brant, Ledman & Teetor, LLP; Wolf, Haldenstein, Adler, Freeman & Herz, LLC; and Bailey Perrin Bailey also represent Plaintiffs in this case.
Together, these firms have extensive consumer protection and class action experience.
Click here to learn more about Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP.
Click here to learn more about Roddy, Klein & Ryan.
Click here to learn more about Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP.
Am I a member of the class represented in this litigation?
If you own or purchased a 2003-2008 Porsche Cayenne model vehicle with plastic coolant pipes, you are a member of the putative class represented in this litigation. This litigation is in the early stages and a judge has not yet certified the class.
If you meet the above definition, you do not have to do anything at this time to be included in the class. At some point in the future, you may be asked if you want to exclude yourself from the class, and you might be asked to file a claim form if you wish to share in any settlement. But for now, you needn't do anything. We nevertheless would like to hear from you if you have experienced problems with the plastic coolant tubes in your Porsche Cayenne. To contact us, click here.
I am a "class member," now what?
If you meet the above definition, you do not have to do anything at this time to be included in the class. At some point in the future, you may be asked if you want to exclude yourself from the class, and you might be asked to file a claim form if you wish to share in any settlement. For now; however, you needn't do anything except hold on to any documentation you may have regarding your Porsche Cayenne vehicle.
Alternatively, if you have experienced an acute failure or have dealt directly with Porsche regarding the replacement of faulty coolant pipes, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us here or fill out our online submission form here.
What will class members get if Porsche loses or settles?
Plaintiffs are seeking an order requiring Porsche to recall all Cayennes with plastic coolant tubes and fix the problem by replacing them with aluminum tubes (or a stronger alternative). In addition, Plaintiffs are seeking money damages to compensate affected Porsche Cayenne owners.
How can I find out more?
You can keep track of this case by periodically checking this website. We will post major developments, pleadings, and press releases. Alternatively, if you have submitted your information via our online submission form, we will contact you directly via e-mail with any significant developments. If you would like to speak to one of our attorneys, please call 1-800-685-2580 or any one of the law firms listed above.
Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP 1025 Westchester Ave., Ste. 108 White Plains, NY 10604 Phone: 800.685.2580
© 2011 Schlanger & Schlanger, LLP. All Rights Reserved.
Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in the future.