Subaru Class Action Lawsuit 2025, EyeSight Settlement Gets Final Approval—Payments Expected May 2026, Plus Completed Windshield Settlement Details

The Subaru EyeSight class action lawsuit received final court approval on November 5, 2025, with the settlement becoming effective December 10, 2025, after a 30-day appeals period. Reimbursement checks for eligible class members are expected to be issued within 150 days of the effective date—approximately May 10, 2026. This settlement resolves allegations that certain 2013-2024 Subaru vehicles equipped with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology have defects in pre-collision braking, rear automatic braking, and lane-keeping assist features. Eligible owners can receive 75% reimbursement for qualifying repairs plus an automatic warranty extension covering 75% of future repair costs.

The case, Sampson, et al. v. Subaru of America, Inc. (Case No. 1:21-cv-10284-ESK-SAK), was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on April 27, 2021. After four years of litigation, Subaru agreed to settle without admitting wrongdoing, committing an undisclosed sum to resolve claims from approximately millions of affected vehicle owners nationwide.

What Is the Subaru EyeSight Class Action Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit alleged that Subaru failed to warn consumers that the EyeSight system features suffer from software calibration and integration issues and do not function as advertised. Plaintiffs claimed the defective features increase collision risk and present serious safety hazards to motorists and pedestrians.

The specific allegations centered on three critical safety features:

• Pre-Collision Braking: System fails to activate when obstacles are present or activates unexpectedly with no obstacles
• Rear Automatic Braking: Reverse braking system malfunctions or fails to engage
• Lane Keep Assist: Lane-keeping technology performs inconsistently or fails entirely

Six plaintiffs claimed they likely would not have purchased their Subaru vehicles if they had known the safety systems were faulty. The lawsuit argued these defects resulted from faulty EyeSight system camera assemblies or rear sonar sensors.

Legal Claims in the Subaru Lawsuit

The class action included claims under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, New York General Business Law, Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.

Plaintiffs sought:

• Disclosure that EyeSight systems were defective
• Full reimbursement for repair costs
• Complete restitution for vehicle purchases
• Surrender of “ill-gotten profits” from selling defective systems

Subaru denied all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid prolonged litigation costs.

Which Subaru Vehicles Are Covered?

The settlement covers owners or lessees of 2013-2022 Subaru Legacy, 2013-2022 Subaru Outback, 2015-2023 Subaru Impreza, 2015-2023 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014-2021 Subaru Forester, 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent, 2016-2021 Subaru WRX, and 2022-2024 Subaru BRZ equipped with Pre-Collision Braking, Rear Automatic Braking, and/or Lane Keep Assist features.

Not every vehicle is included because eligibility depends on the specific vehicle identification number (VIN). EyeSight Version 4 systems are specifically excluded from the settlement. Vehicle owners must verify eligibility using the VIN lookup tool at the official settlement website.

Settlement Benefits: What Eligible Owners Receive

Automatic Warranty Extension (No Claim Required)

All eligible vehicle owners automatically receive an extended warranty covering 75% of qualifying repair costs at authorized Subaru dealers. The extension lasts four years or 48,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever comes first.

If a vehicle’s warranty period already expired before July 29, 2025, the extension lasts four months from that date. This limitation significantly impacts older models—vehicles dating back to 2013 may have already exceeded the four-year/48,000-mile threshold before the settlement was finalized.

The warranty extension covers:

• Diagnosed and confirmed malfunctions of pre-collision braking
• Reverse automatic braking failures
• Lane Keep Assist system defects resulting from faulty camera assemblies or rear sonar sensors

The extended warranty does not cover damage from accidents, misuse, modifications, weather, or other outside factors.

Cash Reimbursement (Claim Required)

Class members who paid for qualifying repairs prior to July 29, 2025, and within four years or 48,000 miles of their vehicle’s in-service date can receive reimbursement for 75% of one repair’s paid invoice expense.

If any portion of the repair was already covered by Subaru, insurance, or another source, the reimbursement amount will be reduced accordingly. Only one reimbursement per vehicle is allowed.

Required documentation for reimbursement claims:

• Original or legible copy of repair invoice showing date, vehicle VIN, description of repair, and total cost
• Proof of payment (receipt or credit card statement)
• Proof of ownership or lease documents if not the original notice recipient

Settlement Distribution and Attorney Fees

The eight plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit will each receive $5,000, while the attorneys representing customers will receive $2,500,000. Settlement benefits for class members (warranty extensions and repair reimbursements) are provided directly by Subaru and not deducted from the attorney fee fund.

Critical Deadlines and Timeline

Reimbursement checks are to be issued within 150 days of the December 10, 2025 effective date, making May 10, 2026 the expected payment distribution date.

Current Status: What Happens Next?

The claim deadline passed on September 27, 2025. No new claims can be filed. Class members who submitted timely claims before the deadline should expect payment by May 10, 2026.

If you filed a claim and have questions about status, contact the Settlement Administrator:

• Phone: 866-287-0742
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: Subaru EyeSight Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91063, Seattle, WA 98111

All eligible vehicles automatically received the warranty extension—no claim filing was required for this benefit.

Subaru Windshield Class Action Settlement (Completed)

A separate Subaru class action lawsuit addressing windshield defects reached final approval on April 21, 2025. This settlement covered approximately 1.4 million vehicles.

Windshield Settlement Coverage

The settlement covered 2019-2022 Subaru Ascent, 2019-2022 Subaru Forester, 2020-2022 Subaru Legacy, and 2020-2022 Subaru Outback vehicles. The lawsuit, Powell, et al., v. Subaru of America, Inc. (Case No. 1:19-cv-19114-MJS), alleged these windshields could spontaneously crack, chip, or break without significant impact.

Windshield Settlement Benefits

The settlement provided two forms of relief:

Cash Reimbursement: Eligible owners could receive between 100-200% reimbursement for out-of-pocket windshield repair or replacement costs, depending on documentation provided. Tier 1 class members with proof of repair expenses and contemporaneous photographs of qualifying cracks received 100% reimbursement.

Claimants without contemporaneous photographs used a dynamic website to select photos resembling their windshield crack from six randomly displayed images. Those selecting photos depicting a “Qualifying Crack” received 100% cost recovery.

Extended Warranty: The settlement provided a one-time windshield replacement warranty for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurred first, performed at Subaru dealerships.

Windshield Settlement Timeline

The windshield lawsuit was filed in October 2019 and consolidated with two similar cases in January 2020. The claim deadline was January 31, 2025, and final approval was granted April 21, 2025. The four plaintiffs who filed the class action received $5,000 each, and attorneys received $7,200,000.

Criticism of Subaru Settlements

After four years in court, the EyeSight settlement resulted in plaintiffs receiving $5,000 each while attorneys collected $2.5 million in fees, with many vehicle owners receiving limited benefits due to the 48-month/48,000-mile coverage restrictions.

Critics note that vehicles dating back to model year 2013 had already exceeded warranty periods before the settlement finalized, leaving many owners with only a four-month extension window. The 75% reimbursement rate also means owners still bear 25% of repair costs despite alleged manufacturing defects.

How This Compares to Similar Automotive Class Actions

The Subaru settlements join numerous automotive safety class actions:

Unlike some automotive settlements that provide full refunds or buybacks for severe defects, the Subaru settlements offer partial reimbursement and warranty extensions, reflecting the ongoing debate about adequate compensation for safety system failures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Subaru class action lawsuit about?

The primary Subaru class action lawsuit alleges that EyeSight Driver Assist Technology systems in certain 2013-2024 Subaru vehicles have defects causing pre-collision braking, rear automatic braking, and lane-keeping assist features to malfunction or fail entirely, creating safety hazards.

What was the defect in Subaru vehicles?

The lawsuits claimed two main defects: (1) EyeSight system camera assemblies and rear sonar sensors that cause safety features to activate unexpectedly or fail to activate when needed, and (2) windshields in 2019-2022 models that spontaneously crack without significant impact.

How much is the Subaru settlement?

Subaru agreed to an undisclosed settlement amount. Attorneys received $2.5 million for the EyeSight case and $7.2 million for the windshield case. Individual class members receive 75% reimbursement for one qualifying repair (EyeSight) or up to 200% reimbursement for windshield repairs, plus warranty extensions.

Am I eligible for the Subaru settlement?

For the EyeSight settlement, you were eligible if you owned or leased a covered 2013-2024 Subaru vehicle with EyeSight features and your specific VIN qualified. The claim deadline passed September 27, 2025. For the windshield settlement covering 2019-2022 models, the claim deadline passed January 31, 2025.

How much compensation can I receive from the Subaru settlement?

EyeSight settlement claimants receive 75% reimbursement for one qualifying repair performed before July 29, 2025, plus automatic warranty extension covering 75% of future repair costs. Windshield settlement claimants received 100-200% reimbursement for documented repairs.

What is the deadline to claim the Subaru settlement?

The EyeSight settlement claim deadline was September 27, 2025 (passed). The windshield settlement claim deadline was January 31, 2025 (passed). No new claims can be filed for either settlement.

When will I receive my Subaru settlement payment?

EyeSight settlement reimbursement checks are expected to be mailed within 150 days of the December 10, 2025 effective date—approximately May 10, 2026. If you filed a claim and have questions, contact the Settlement Administrator at 866-287-0742.

What court approved the Subaru settlement?

The EyeSight settlement was approved in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The windshield settlement was also approved in the same court. Both cases involved different judges overseeing the proceedings.

Contact Information

Subaru EyeSight Settlement Administrator:

• Website: www.eyesightsettlement.com
• Phone: 866-287-0742
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: Subaru EyeSight Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, P.O. Box 91063, Seattle, WA 98111

Class Counsel:

• Russell D. Paul, Berger Montague P.C.
• Homer B. Ramsey, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP

For questions about claim status, contact the Settlement Administrator directly. Do not contact Subaru dealerships about settlement claims.

Related Automotive Class Actions

Concerned about automotive defects and consumer rights? Learn more about similar cases:

• Toyota Camry Class Action Lawsuit: $9M HVAC Settlement Approved—Claim Your Reimbursement Before May 2026 Deadline
• Progressive Class Action Lawsuit: Multiple Settlements Totaling Over $200 Million Impact Thousands of Policyholders
• Walmart Class Action Lawsuit October: Just Started Mailing Checks—Did You Miss the $45M Settlement Deadline?

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Settlement details, eligibility criteria, and compensation amounts may change. Consult official settlement claim portals at www.eyesightsettlement.com and www.subaruwindshieldsettlement.com, review current case filings independently, and contact an attorney for specific questions about these lawsuits or your eligibility. For the most current information, contact the Settlement Administrator at 866-287-0742.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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