Interesting little snippet on the Honda website:
http://powersports.honda.com/the_story/press/release/?Year=2008&TargetURL=Press_Release/Press_20135.aspSeems that the frame cracking affected more than the claimed model VIN number range...
"Plaintiffs allege that Honda knowingly manufactured and sold Gold Wing GL-1800 motorcycles with a defect in its frame that under certain conditions caused frame welds to crack or fail, resulting in possible rear suspension collapse and/or lower cross member separation. Plaintiffs asserted various claims on behalf of all current Gold Wing GL-1800 owners, model years 2001-2004 including negligence, violations of the Unfair Business Practices Act (California Business & Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq.), violation of state consumer protection statutes, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. Honda denies the claims asserted by Plaintiffs and denies that it is liable in any way to Plaintiffs or the Settlement Class.
Plaintiffs, through the attorneys for the Settlement Class (“Class Counsel”) and their experts, completed a thorough investigation of the alleged defect in the frame (“Frame Weld Condition”), which included a review of thousands of pages of documents, interviews of Honda personnel and third parties, and extensive expert analysis. After extensive arm’s-length negotiations extending over one year, the parties entered into a final Settlement Agreement, executed on May 31, 2008. This Settlement was reached after Class Counsel weighed the risks and benefits to the Settlement Class of this Settlement compared with those of continuing the litigation. The factors that Class Counsel considered included the uncertainty and delay associated with continued litigation, a trial and appeals, and the uncertainty of various legal issues that have yet to be determined. Class Counsel balanced these and other substantial risks against the very substantial benefits provided by the Settlement in determining that the Settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate in light of all circumstances, and in the best interests of the Settlement Class Members. Honda has agreed to this Settlement because, although it denies the claims asserted by Plaintiffs, it wishes to avoid the uncertainty and expense of further protracted litigation and to put to rest a controversy with its valued customers."
