FCA – Fiat 500 Door Handles Quebec Class Action

Date of Initial Application: January 26, 2018

FIAT 500 DOOR HANDLES – QUEBEC CLASS ACTION

NOTICE OF APPROVED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT

You do not have to pay anything in order to participate in the class action settlement.

This notice concerns all persons in Quebec who have purchased or leased
a Fiat 500 vehicle, model years 2012 to 2019.

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS. THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS CLASS ACTION HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COURT.

WHAT IS THIS CLASS ACTION ABOUT?

 

By way of judgment dated April 29, 2024 (as rectified on May 7, 2024), the Superior Court of Quebec authorized the institution of a class action against FCA Canada Inc. (“FCA”) in the matter of Paciucci et al. v. FCA Canada Inc. (Court File No.: 500-06-000905-188).

The lawsuit alleged that the door handle and/or door locking mechanisms of Fiat 500 vehicles (model years 2012 to 2019) are affected by a defect which cause the door handles to jam and, in some cases, break or detach from the vehicle (the “Door Handle Issue”). The lawsuit claimed, on behalf of class members, compensatory damages including the reimbursement or reduction of the purchase or lease price, repair costs and other disbursements incurred by class members, compensation for loss of time, inconvenience and class members’ loss of use of their vehicles. The lawsuit also claimed punitive damages.

FCA denies any wrongdoing, and no court has concluded that there has been any wrongdoing by FCA. The parties have instead decided to settle the lawsuit.

The settlement of the lawsuit was approved by the Superior Court of Quebec on February 25, 2026.

This notice provides important information on how class members can now benefit from the extended warranty program. Please read this notice carefully.

 

AM I A CLASS MEMBER?

 

You are a class member if you purchased or leased a Fiat 500 vehicle (model years 2012 to 2019) with any trim line.

 

WHAT IS THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT?

 

You have nothing to pay in order to participate in the settlement.

Without any admission of liability, the parties have reached an agreement to settle the class action (the “Settlement Agreement”), which was approved by the Superior Court of Quebec.

A copy of the Settlement Agreement and other related documentation are available online at fiat500doorhandlesettlement.ca.

FCA will provide an extended warranty program, which will cover issues originating with the door handle and/or door locking mechanism of covered Fiat 500 vehicles that causes the door handles to jam and, in some cases, break or detach from the vehicle. The extended warranty program includes:

 

• Door Handle Repair Program

• FCA will provide coverage to repair or replace free of charge the door handles of any vehicles affected by the Door Handle Issue at the time of their inspection.
• The door handle repair program will not cover preventative inspections or repairs.
• This coverage will be available for ten (10) years from the in-service date of the vehicle or, for a vehicle whose in-service date is already more than ten (10) years old when the present notices have been sent out, this coverage will be available until June 11, 2027 (the “Coverage Period”).
• There will be no per member limit on the number of claims that can be submitted during the Coverage Period.

 

• Reimbursement Payments

• FCA will reimburse the costs previously incurred by class members to repair or replace the door handles of their vehicles, including the costs of parts, labour and taxes, as a result of the Door Handle Issue, irrespective of the repair facility where these repairs were conducted.
• Claims for reimbursement must be submitted by no later than June 11, 2027, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
• There will be no limit on the amounts the class members may claim for reimbursement of any door handle repair costs already incurred.
• The Fonds d’aide aux actions collectives is entitled to withhold a percentage of each claim brought by Québec residents pursuant to the Regulation respecting the percentage withheld by the Fonds d’aide aux actions collectives.

 

You have nothing to pay in order to participate in the class action settlement.

 

DO I HAVE A LAWYER IN THIS CASE?

 

Yes. The lawyers representing the class members are the law firm Lex Group Inc. You will not be charged by this law firm for its work on the case. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you can hire one at your own expense.

 

HOW DO I BENEFIT FROM THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM?

 

The process to follow in order to benefit from the Extended Warranty Program will depend on whether you are seeking to have a door handle repaired or whether you are seeking the reimbursement of costs already paid to repair the door handle of your vehicle.

You can participate in the Door Handle Repair Program and also seek reimbursement for any costs you have already paid to repair or replace a door handle. Applying for one does not affect your right to apply for the other.

 

Door Handle Repair Program

 

How can I benefit from the Door Handle Repair Program? If one of the door handles of your vehicle is not working properly, schedule an appointment at an FCA dealership to have your vehicle inspected before the Coverage Period ends to determine if it is eligible for a repair. The FCA dealership will inspect your vehicle to determine if it is eligible for a repair and, if it qualifies, will fix it at no cost to you. You can find a list of FCA dealerships in Quebec at ca.

 

What if I do not live near an FCA dealership? If the nearest FCA dealership is more than 150 km from where you live, you may be able to have your vehicle repaired at another third-party repair shop within 150 km of your home. Before doing so, you must contact the Claims Administrator for approval. The Claims Administrator will explain how to get reimbursed for these costs. The Claims Administrator’s contact information is below.

 

Reimbursement Payments

 

What costs can I be reimbursed for? If you already paid any costs to repair or replace your door handles because of the Door Handle Issue, you can submit a claim for reimbursement of these costs. It does not matter where the repairs were done. You must submit your claim before June 11, 2027.

 

How do I claim a Reimbursement Payment? You can submit a claim either online at ca or by mail at the address indicated on the last page of this notice. A paper copy of the claim form can be obtained from the claims administrator.

 

When is the deadline to submit a claim? All claims must be submitted by June 11, 2027.

 

What information do I need to include in my claim? Your claim must include:

 

• Your vehicle’s VIN and model year;
• your personal information and contact details;
• the approximate date (month/year) when the Door Handle Issue first occurred;
• proof that the repair work was performed to correct a Door Handle Issue and proof of payment for the costs incurred for such repair work, including parts, labor, and taxes (the “Supporting Documentation”);
• If you are missing any of the Supporting Documentation, additional details such as the location where the repairs were performed, the approximate date of the repair, the specific door handle involved and other relevant information (the “Additional Information”);
• A sworn statement, in the form of an online or written attestation, confirming that the repair costs or expenses have not already been reimbursed by FCA;
• The information required to process payment by Interac e-transfer or a request for payment by cheque.

 

What if I am unable to provide the VIN of my vehicle or the Supporting Documentation when submitting a claim? If you cannot provide the VIN of your vehicle or the Supporting Documentation when you submit a claim, you can ask that your claim be put on hold for up to 30 days to find these documents before your claim is reviewed.

What if the required documentation is missing and/or cannot be provided? If you cannot find the Supporting Documentation, you can ask the claims administrator to assist in locating the documents. The claims administrator will check whether FCA’s records or the records of an FCA dealership show any repairs were done at an FCA dealership.

Is there a limit for the Reimbursement Payment? There is no maximum amount for a single repair, and there is no limit on the number of repairs or handle replacement parts for which you can seek reimbursement.

 

Can I be reimbursed for repairs done at a repair facility that is not an FCA dealership? Yes, so long as you have the required Supporting Documentation.

 

What if my claim is considered deficient by the claims administrator? If something is missing or incorrect in your claim, the claims administrator will contact you by email (or by regular mail if you did not provide an email address). You will have 30 days to fix the problem. After that, the claims administrator will make a final decision on your claim.

How and when will I be paid? After the one-year claims period ends, the Claims Administrator will pay each class member whose claim was approved. Payments will be sent by Interac e-Transfer (by email) or by cheque (by mail) if you requested a cheque.

 

HOW DO I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?

 

For further information or details about the Settlement Agreement or about submitting a Claim, you can contact the claims administrator:

 

Concilia Services Inc.

Attn: Fiat500

5900 Andover Ave. Suite 1

Montreal, Quebec H4T 1H5

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 1-888-552-5770

 

You can also visit the settlement website at fiat500doorhandlesettlement.ca for copies of all relevant documents, agreements, notices and judgments.

 

Please do not contact FCA or the Judges of the Superior Court of Quebec.

 

THE PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE TO CLASS MEMBERS HAS BEEN APPROVED AND ORDERED BY THE SUPERIOR COURT OF QUEBEC.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

FIAT 500 DOOR HANDLES – QUEBEC CLASS ACTION

NOTICE OF AUTHORIZATION OF A CLASS ACTION AND
PRE-APPROVAL NOTICE OF A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT

You do not have to do anything and you do not have to pay anything in order to participate in the class action or the proposed settlement

This notice concerns all persons in Quebec who have purchased or leased
a Fiat 500 vehicle, model years 2012 to 2019

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS. THIS CLASS ACTION HAS BEEN SETTLED, SUBJECT TO COURT APPROVAL.

WHAT IS THIS CLASS ACTION ABOUT?

By way of judgment dated April 29, 2024 (as rectified on May 7, 2024), the Superior Court of Quebec authorized the institution of a class action against FCA Canada Inc. (“FCA”) in the matter of Paciucci et al. v. FCA Canada Inc. (Court File No.: 500-06-000905-188).

The lawsuit alleges that the door handle and/or door locking mechanisms of Fiat 500 vehicles (model years 2012 to 2019) are affected by defects which cause the door handles to jam and, in some cases, break or detach from the vehicle (the “Door Handle Issue”). The lawsuit claims, on behalf of class members, compensatory damages including the reimbursement or reduction of the purchase or lease price, repair costs and other disbursements incurred by class members, compensation for loss of time, inconvenience and class members’ loss of use of their vehicles. The lawsuit also claims punitive damages.

FCA denies any wrongdoing, and no court has concluded that there has been any wrongdoing by FCA. The parties have instead decided to settle the lawsuit.

 

AM I A CLASS MEMBER?

 

You are a class member if you purchased or leased a Fiat 500 vehicle (model years 2012 to 2019) with any trim line.

 

PROPOSED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

You have nothing to pay in order to participate in the settlement.

Without any admission of liability, the parties have reached a proposed agreement to settle the class action (the “Settlement Agreement”), subject to its approval by the Superior Court of Quebec.

A copy of the Settlement Agreement and other related documentation are available online at www.fiat500doorhandlesettlement.ca.

If the Settlement Agreement is approved, FCA will provide an extended warranty program, which will cover issues originating with the door handle and/or door locking mechanism of covered Fiat 500 vehicles that causes the door handles to jam and, in some cases, break or detach from the vehicle. The extended warranty program will include:

 

• Door Handle Repair Program

 

• FCA will provide coverage to repair or replace free of charge the door handles of any vehicles affected by the Door Handle Issue at the time of their inspection.

 

• The door handle repair program will not cover preventative inspections or repairs.

 

• This coverage will be available for ten (10) years from the in-service date of the vehicle or, for a vehicle whose in-service date is already more than ten (10) years old when the notices are disseminated advising class members that the settlement has been approved have been sent out, an extra one (1) year of coverage following this date.

 

• There will be no per member limit on the number of claims that can be submitted during the warranty period.

 

• Reimbursement Payments

 

• FCA will reimburse the costs previous incurred by class members to repair or replace the door handles of their vehicles as a result of the Door Handle Issue, irrespective of the repair facility where these repairs were conducted.

 

• Claims for reimbursement must be submitted within one (1) year of the first date on which the notices advising class members that the settlement has been approved have been sent out.

 

• There will be no limit on the amounts the class members may claim for reimbursement of any door handle repair costs already incurred.

 

In addition to the Extended Warranty Program, FCA will also pay the administration expenses, notice costs, and class counsel’s fees in the amount of $425,000, plus GST and PST, as well as disbursements of $3,500. You therefore have nothing to pay in order to participate in the class action and proposed settlement.

 

DO I HAVE A LAWYER IN THIS CASE?

Yes. The lawyers representing the class members are the law firm Lex Group Inc. You will not be charged by this law firm for its work on the case. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer, you can hire one at your own expense.

SETTLEMENT APPROVAL HEARING

 

The Superior Court of Quebec must approve the Settlement Agreement in order to become effective. The approval hearing will be held on February 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m., at the Montreal Courthouse located at 1 Notre-Dame Street East, Montreal, Quebec, in room 17.09, or via a Microsoft Teams link. This date may be changed by the Court without further notice to the class members. Any updates will be provided through a notice posted on the settlement website www.fiat500doorhandlesettlement.ca.

 

CAN I EXCLUDE MYSELF FROM THE CLASS ACTION?

 

If you wish to be included in the class action, you have no action to take at this stage (and nothing to pay).

 

If you wish to exclude yourself (opt out) from the class action, you will have no further right to participate in the class action, or to benefit from the Settlement Agreement.

 

To exclude yourself, you must send a notice no later than February 4, 2026, by mail to the following address:

 

Clerk of the Superior Court of Quebec

File: 500-06-000905-188

Paciucci et al. v. FCA Canada Inc.

Montreal Courthouse

1 Notre-Dame Street East, Suite 1.120, Montreal (Quebec) H2Y 1B6

 

With copy to the claims administrator by email or mail at the following address:

 

Concilia Services Inc.

5900 Andover Ave. Suite 1, Montreal, Quebec H4T 1H5

Email: [email protected]

 

You must state that you wish to exclude yourself from the class action Paciucci et al. v. FCA Canada Inc. (case n^o 500-06-000905-188). This notice must include your full name, current address, email address and telephone number.

 

WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT?

 

If you disagree with the proposed Settlement Agreement, but you do not wish to exclude yourself from the class action, you can object to or comment on it by submitting a written objection form no later than February 6, 2026 or by presenting such objection(s) or comment(s) at the settlement approval hearing

 

Your written objection form must include: (a) a heading that refers to the class action, including the relevant Court file number; (b) your full name, address, telephone number and email address and, if you are represented by counsel, their name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address; (c) a statement as to whether you intend to appear at the approval hearing on your own behalf or through counsel; (d) a declaration that you consider yourself to be included in the class, as applicable, including the make, model, year and VIN(s) of the vehicles owned and/or leased; (e) a statement of the objection and the grounds supporting the objection; (f) copies of any papers, briefs or other documents upon which the objection is based; and (g) your dated signature. If any testimony is proposed to be given, the name(s) of all person(s) who will testify must be set forth in written submission.

 

You must send your letter to the Court by mail at the address mentioned above with copy to the claims administrator at:

 

Concilia Services Inc.

5900 Andover Ave. Suite 1, Montreal, Quebec H4T 1H5

Email: [email protected]

 

 

If you do not oppose the proposed Settlement Agreement, you do not need to appear at any hearing and you do not need to take any other action to indicate your desire to support the proposed Settlement Agreement. You may make a claim at a later date, if the settlement is approved by the Court.

 

If the Settlement Agreement is approved, another notice to class members will be sent explaining the procedure to benefit from the Extended Warranty Program, including the Door Handle Repair Program and the Reimbursement Payments.

 

HOW DO I OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION?

 

For further information or details about the proposed Settlement Agreement, you can contact the claims administrator (contact information above) or class counsel:

 

Mtre David Assor

Lex Group Inc.

4101 Sherbrooke Street West

Westmount, Quebec, H3Z 1A7

Tel: (514) 451-5500 #101

   E-mail: [email protected]

 

You can also visit the settlement website at www.fiat500doorhandlesettlement.ca for copies of all relevant documents, agreements, notices and Judgments.

 

Please do not contact FCA or the Judges of the Superior Court of Quebec.

 

THE PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE TO CLASS MEMBERS HAS BEEN APPROVED AND ORDERED BY THE SUPERIOR COURT OF QUEBEC.

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________-

 

LEX GROUP INC. has launched a class action lawsuit against FCA CANADA INC. (hereinafter “Fiat Canada”), on behalf of all persons in Quebec who have purchased and/or leased and/or or own one of the following Fiat vehicles:

• 2012 to 2019 Fiat 500

• 2012 to 2019 Fiat 500, Abarth trim line

(hereinafter collectively the “Fiat Vehicles”)

It is alleged in the action that the Fiat Vehicles have defective car door handles (on both the driver and passenger sides), which frequently jam or break off, thus blocking that car door shut.

This class action alleges that Fiat Canada leased and sold the Fiat Vehicles whereas their car door handles were not adequately designed and/or manufactured, which constitutes an important design defect. Since the car doors are prone to jam shut with little notice, this renders the vehicles unsafe for the occupants, who cannot exit in a timely fashion in case of a emergency or should an accident occur.

Accordingly, if you are in Quebec and you have purchased and/or leased and/or own a Fiat vehicle, including without limitation the Fiat 500, Fiat 500C, Fiat 500L, Fiat 500X, Fiat 500 Abarth or another Fiat 500 model (all from the years 2011 onward), then you may be part of the proposed Class defined by the class action initiated by our office.

Should you be defined as a member of the class, you may be entitled to compensation should the Court authorize and grant the class action on the merits, or should a settlement be reached (and approved by the Court).

Please fill out the form below if you wish to be kept informed of the progress of this case.

If you wish to be kept informed and/or receive notification of major judgments rendered or notices in this case, please complete the form below.  Please note that providing your information in the form below creates no financial obligation for you and it does not create a lawyer/client relationship between yourself and Lex Group Inc. (or any of its attorneys).  You will not be charged any fees or costs for signing up to this class action since our firm is only paid on a contingency basis from the potential compensation recovered in this file, if the class action is successful by way of final judgment or settlement approved by the Court.

Please be advised that the group definition of the people to be included in this class action may be changed or modified in the future by Court decision or by way of amendment filed by our firm.  We will not inform you or other members of the public if and when the group definition is changed.  It is therefore your sole responsibility to ensure that your own personal rights and recourses are being protected at all times during the course of these proceedings.  You may therefore wish to seek independent legal counsel in order to determine whether it would be in your best interest to pursue independent litigation in this matter (or any other matter), and to determine if you can potentially be included in this case if a final judgment is rendered or if a settlement is reached and approved by the Court.

By signing up to this class action, you are merely asking our firm to include you in our list of potential members in this class action but our firm is not agreeing to represent your personal interests.  If a final judgment is rendered in this case, or if a settlement is reached (and approved by the Court), an e-mail may be sent to you and the relevant information may be posted on this website.  The Court will determine the manner and extent of any future notifications to class members.

Be advised that the information you provide will be included in our list of potential class members for this case, which list may be shared with and disclosed to the Courts and/or other parties in this action (at our discretion).  Rest assured that any such disclosure will be done in such a manner as to protect your personal information and confidentiality from unauthorized use, disclosure or publication.

Finally, be advised that the above-description and summary of the case is being posted on this website for your convenience.  However, in case of conflict between the information on this website and the actual proceedings, documents, and/or judgments in the Court record of this case, the official Court record documents will prevail.  We have for your convenience posted on this webpage certain scanned copies of the several relevant documents from the Court record, including the initial application for authorization to institute a class action which describes the case in much more detail.  You should therefore consult these documents as well as consult this website periodically in order to be kept informed.