Nissan, Drivers Win Final Approval of Transmission Defect Deal

Nissan North America Inc. and drivers who alleged their cars had flawed transmissions secured a federal judge’s final approval for a class deal that includes warranty extensions the plaintiffs say could be worth more than $250 million.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys were awarded their requested $3.5 million in fees and costs Thursday by Judge Eli J. Richardson of the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Minerva Martinez and others alleged a design defect makes the continuous variable transmission in their vehicles shudder and hesitate, and causes a failure to accelerate and abrupt deceleration. The drivers say they had ...