Los Angeles Times - Top Ten Auto Product Verdicts

Here are the largest verdicts in defective-product lawsuits against automakers. Many of the awards were later reduced by the trial judge or on appeal.

RankAward
(millions)
YearLocationCase Description
1$4,900.01999CaliforniaAnderson vs. General Motors; Malibu gas tank rupture; award was later reduced and case settled
2368.62004CaliforniaBuell-Wilson vs. Ford; Explorer rollover; awaiting post-trial motions
3296.21999CaliforniaRomo vs. Ford; Bronco II rollover; punitive damages reduced, paid
4262.51997South CarolinaJiminez vs. Chrysler; minivan rear-door latch failure; reversed, settled
5225.02002TexasBenavides vs. Ford; Ford F-150 door latch design; settled
6153.21998NevadaWhite vs. Ford; Ford F-350 parking brake; punitives reversed, retried
7150.01996AlabamaHardy vs. General Motors; Chevrolet S-10 Blazer door latch; settled
8144.81998MississippiRobinson vs. Ford; Ranger rollover; settled
9128.51978CaliforniaGrimshaw vs. Ford; Pinto rear-end collision fire; reduced, paid
10122.02002AlabamaJernigan vs. General Motors; Oldsmobile Delta 88 door beams; reversed, settled

The results in the cases portrayed on this website were dependent on the facts of each individual case, and the results in any case will differ if based on different facts or law.