Settlement Reached in Class Action Lawsuit Involving Trane and American Standard Air Conditioners
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Extended warranties and enhanced warranties offered to certain customers
A settlement has been reached on behalf of nearly 500,000 current and former owners of Trane and American Standard air conditioners manufactured with an unapproved rust inhibitor that caused many units to fail. The plaintiffs in the class action suit were represented by James C. Shah of Shepherd Finkleman Miller & Shah, LLP and Timothy N. Mathews, Esq. and Zachary P. Beatty, Esq. of Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith, LLP.
To get extended and enhanced Compressor Warranty Coverage, claimants must submit a Claim Form postmarked by Friday, September 25, 2020, unless you received a notice specifically stating that they do not need to.
Lawsuit allegations
The lawsuit alleges that in certain air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured by the defendants, sticky deposits would form on the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). When the air conditioners failed due to this problem, Trane instructed service personal to inject an acidic additive into the TXV rather than replace the valve, potentially threatening the compressor’s long-term reliability.
Manufacturer denies wrongdoing
Trane denies any wrongdoing, and the Court did not decide in favor of either Trane or the plaintiffs. Both sides, however, agreed to the settlement and consumers affected have the opportunity to obtain compensation. The settlement provides substantial relief for the class members, including reimbursement of past repair expenses, an approved additive that can help prevent future problems with the air conditioner (and a labor allowance to inject the additive), and an extended and enhanced warranty for certain units.
Who is included in the Settlement?
All current and former owners of Trane or American Standard 1.5- to 5-ton air conditioners and heat pumps with serial numbers listed on Exhibit I to the Settlement who live in the United States are included in this Settlement.
Most of the affected units were manufactured from November 2013 through September 2014, with some manufactured as late as 2017. The manufacture date and serial number are listed on the data plate on the outdoor unit of your air conditioner or heat pump. A list of serial numbers included in the Settlement is available at www.AirConditionerSettlement.com or by calling 800-528-7199.
The following benefits are available in the settlement:
1. Cash reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs that you incurred for certain repairs. Max. of $575 for a valve replacement and $250 for an Additive injection (total of $825 for both, if applicable).
2. A free "light" Additive, which has been shown to be effective at preventing deposits without causing risk to the compressor, and up to $50 for a qualified person to inject it.
3. Extended and enhanced Compressor Warranty Coverage if your air conditioner or heat pump was injected with a full-strength Additive on or before September 30, 2018.
The deadline for affected consumers to either file a claim or exclude themselves from the class is September 25, 2020. To ascertain whether or not your air conditioner is included in the class and to obtain instructions on filing a claim, visit www.airconditionersettlement.com.
A copy of the complaint can be found here.
A copy of the settlement can be found here.
Read more at Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah, LLP
Source: https://www.sfmslaw.com
I am purchasing a Train XR14 01/09/2024. Is there any type of problems with this unit Thank you, R Tichy
I didn’t get claim information on lawsuit and I own 2006 Xb13 model.
I would recommend you have a back up cooling plan if you’ve purchased a Trane AC. Had a new system installed in 2020 and it’s failed. Part is on back order so maybe will have ac by the end of July. Oh and it’s only the part. They don’t want to cover the labor for their shoddy product. 10/10 will not buy Trane again.
I purchased two trane units on Oct. 2018 since then Ive spent over 8000 in repairs, all they want to offer me is 600 which doesnt cover my costs, can I sue
I purchased a 5 ton Trane, split unit in September of 2019. Today the evaporator coil failed and the unit is not working. I am being told the coil is not available for 3-6 weeks. Its August in PHX This is unacceptable. It is forecast to be 111 tomorrow.
I purchased 2 Trane units in December 2018. Ive had 2 repairs, each over 2.000. The repair technician stated these repairs are becoming increasing common with Trane air conditioners. The warrantee covers only the part, but the biggest cost is the labor and replacing refrigerant. Buyer beware, do NOT purchase a Trane air conditioner Any current class action litigation
I purchased a Trane HVAC system nov. 2023 and have to replace the TXV Valve that is sticking. The heat pump is the XL17i unit. I must cover the cost of the coolant that is not covered on the TRANE warranty, The cost is 1224.00 for 12 lbs. of 410A refrigerant @ 102.00 a lb. The system is less than 2 years old and I do not think that I should be paying for it. They will not replace the coolant that they retrieve because they said that it could have contaniments in it.
I bought a Trane XR , 4Ton , split system heat pump in February of 2018 and it has failed several times, this time it needs an evaporator The contractor tells me that is covered under warranty but the labor is sill going to be outrageous I don’t have money to repair and he said that might not fix the problem completely
I purchase two Trane Systems XL201 three ton heat pumps for my home on or about April 4, 2013. In 2022 two compressors were replaced under warranty. In Jan/Feb 2025 two compressors went bad in the same XL201 system. Kohl Heating in cranberry, Pa was and is the Trane supplier on both occasions. I have never received notice of the class action. Do you have any knowledge of about the time the 2013 installed compressors were manufactured. Do you have any knowledge of when the replacement compressors in 2025 were manufactured. Are the 2025 compressors painted correctly