Nissan North America $1.5M Data Breach Settlement 2026, 53,000 Employees’ SSNs Exposed, File Your Claim by May 26, 2026

Nissan North America agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to protect employees’ private information from a November 2023 data breach. The breach exposed names and Social Security numbers of over 53,000 current and former employees after a threat actor gained access through Nissan’s external VPN. The settlement received preliminary approval on January 22, 2026. The claim deadline is May 26, 2026. File at NNADataSettlement.com.

At a Glance

Quick Facts

• Lawsuit type: Data breach class action
• Defendant: Nissan North America, Inc.
• Status: Preliminarily approved — claim period open
• Who may be affected: All individuals who received notice from Nissan that their private information may have been compromised as a result of the breach that began on or around November 7, 2023
• Max payout: Up to $4,500 (extraordinary losses) · Up to $450 (ordinary losses) · ~$100 pro-rata (no documentation)
• Claim deadline: May 26, 2026
• Settlement website: NNADataSettlement.com

What Happened

In November 2023, Nissan North America fell victim to a cyberattack. The breach affected the company’s external VPN, enabling threat actors to access internal systems. Once inside, the attackers shut down some Nissan IT systems in an effort to force the automaker to pay a ransom.

An initial investigation showed the files potentially accessed only contained business information. However, in late February 2024, Nissan determined the compromised files did include personal information — mainly related to current and former employees, including names and Social Security numbers.

Nissan told employees about the incident during a Town Hall meeting in December 2023. The company said its investigation found that affected individuals did not have their financial information exposed.

What Data Was Exposed

The private information that may have been compromised includes names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth. Nissan confirmed no financial account information was exposed in this incident.

Your Three Payment Options

You must choose one of the following options:

Option 1 — Extraordinary Documented Losses (up to $4,500) For identity theft or fraud directly caused by the breach. Requires third-party documentation plus a police report or insurance claim.

Option 2 — Ordinary Documented Losses (up to $450) For out-of-pocket expenses such as credit monitoring costs, bank fees, or time spent resolving breach-related issues. Requires supporting documentation — receipts, bills, or statements.

Option 3 — Pro-Rata Cash Payment (estimated ~$100) No documentation required. A pro-rata share of remaining funds after deductions. Available to all eligible class members.

Related Article: T-Mobile $200 Gift Card Lawsuit 2026, Class Action Filed Over Unfulfilled Promotional Promise

How to File Your Claim

1. Visit NNADataSettlement.com — the only official, court-authorized settlement website
2. Enter your class member ID from your mailed settlement notice
3. Select your compensation option and submit documentation if applicable
4. Choose payment method — check or electronic payment
5. Submit online or by mail postmarked by May 26, 2026

Mail claims to: Nissan North America Data Breach Settlement c/o Settlement Administrator [Address listed on NNADataSettlement.com]

Key Dates

What Nissan Has Done Since the Breach

Nissan has implemented several cybersecurity enhancements since the November 2023 data breach, including tougher firewall policies, VPN logins, expanded response detection, extended security operations support, enhanced monitoring, and enhanced security training for employees. Nissan denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs of continued litigation.

FAQs

Who can file a claim?

 All individuals who received a data breach notification from Nissan North America about the November 7, 2023 incident — covering current and former employees whose names and Social Security numbers were compromised.

What is the official settlement website?

 NNADataSettlement.com  the only court-authorized site. File your claim, check your class member ID, and download forms there.

Do I need documentation to file?

 Only for Options 1 and 2. Ordinary documented losses require receipts, bills, or statements. Extraordinary losses require third-party documentation plus a police report or insurance claim. The pro-rata cash option requires no documentation.

When will I get paid?

 Payments distribute after the court grants final approval at the June 1, 2026 hearing and any appeals are resolved — estimated late 2026.

Can I opt out and sue Nissan separately? 

Yes — but you must submit your written opt-out request postmarked by April 24, 2026. Opting out forfeits your settlement benefits but preserves your right to file an individual lawsuit.

Is this the same as Nissan’s other data breaches?

 No. This settlement is specifically for the November 7, 2023 VPN attack affecting 53,038 U.S. employees. It is separate from the January 2023 customer breach affecting 17,988 individuals and the Nissan Oceania breach affecting 100,000 customers in Australia and New Zealand.

For similar employee SSN breach settlements currently accepting claims, see AllAboutLawyer.com’s coverage of the $2.45M Panda Restaurant Group Data Breach Settlement — where 240,000 employees had their Social Security numbers exposed with claims open until April 10, 2026 — and our reporting on the Nissan Rogue recall — a separate 2026 safety campaign affecting 642,000 Rogue owners that is unrelated to this settlement.

By AllAboutLawyer.com Staff | Last Updated: March 5, 2026

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.

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.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah