Money Set Aside for Class-Action Suit

Question: I have not heard anything in many months about the class-action suit against Chrysler regarding the cars that were driven by company executives and then sold as new. My last notice from the company came about a year ago. I thought the company was going to pay us $500 each. Could you please advise me? --M.G.

Answer: Chrysler admitted in 1986 to findings of a government investigation that the company had disconnected odometers in its cars and allowed executives to drive them in a so-called “overnight evaluation program.”

The cars typically were driven 40 miles (although some had several hundred miles put on them) and then were sold as new cars after the odometers were hooked up again. Chrysler Chairman Lee A. Iacocca admitted that the practice was “dumb.”

Criminal charges against two Chrysler officials were dropped, and the company pleaded no contest to charges in 1987. It also settled a class-action civil suit and set aside $16 million to be distributed to owners of the cars that had the unrecorded mileage.

Letters were sent in April and July of this year to owners whom Chrysler could identify, advising them to provide proof of ownership of the cars. Under the civil suit settlement, those owners are entitled to $500 or more, depending on how many seek a share of the $16 million. Chrysler has notified 43,000 purchasers of its cars, going back to 1982. If fewer than 21,000 submit claims, then the checks will be even larger than $500 each.

Motorists have only 90 days to submit their claims, so if you have not yet received notice, contact Chrysler’s owners’ relations department at (800) 992-1997.

Q: I have a 1985 Honda Accord hatchback that I have had serviced at the regular recommended intervals. At 15,000 and now again at 33,000 miles I have had to replace the clutch at a cost of $325 each time. The Honda customer representative will do nothing about this, even though the dealership mechanic says it is incredible to have so many problems. What do I do now?

A: Undoubtedly you have had premature clutch failure, but without knowing your driving habits, I could not say whether you are at fault or whether there is a problem with the mechanic or clutch design. Typically, such clutch problems are blamed on the driver, because it is possible, with improper usage, to destroy a clutch in only several hundred miles, let alone 15,000.

If you are kind to your clutch and still have had these problems, then there are a few potential maintenance items that may have caused your problem. Generally, Honda Accords do not have a basic clutch flaw. The potential service problem that caused the failure is that the clutch-pedal free play has been repeatedly adjusted improperly. But this is unlikely. Another possibility is that the release or throw-out bearing is not returning fully, allowing the clutch to slip while it is supposed to be engaged. A good mechanic should be able to determine whether the clutch has a service problem or an owner problem.

Q: I recently purchased a Ford Aerostar and the seat belt was soiled with ice cream. What would be the best method of cleaning it? --M.P.

A: I feel like Heloise giving advice like this, but have you tried soap and water? If that doesn’t work because there is a grease stain, try WD-40. It’s supposed to be a lubricant, but it’s really a better spot cleaner.