In this week’s Suits & Settlements, you’ll find the following reports: - Class Action Targets Subaru for Repeated Battery Failures - Judge Throws Out Nissan Leaf EV Fire Risk Lawsuit - Goodyear Seeks FCC Waiver for Next-Generation Smart Tires - GM Pays $12.75 Million in California OnStar Privacy Settlement Class Action Targets Subaru for Repeated Battery Failures. Subaru is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in New Jersey federal court alleging the automaker sold hundreds of thousands of vehicles with defective electrical systems that prematurely drain batteries, according to Law360. Plaintiffs claim the defect causes batteries to fail unexpectedly, forcing owners to repeatedly replace batteries and, in some cases, leaving drivers stranded when vehicles will not start. The lawsuit alleges Subaru knew or should have known about the issue through warranty claims, customer complaints and dealership service records but failed to adequately correct the problem or warn consumers. The complaint seeks damages along with broader remedies that could include a recall, reimbursement for battery replacements or even vehicle buybacks for affected owners. While battery drain complaints have surfaced periodically across the industry as vehicles become increasingly dependent on complex electronics and always-on systems, the suit argues Subaru’s alleged defect goes beyond ordinary wear and tear and represents a systemic design problem. Subaru has not publicly responded to the lawsuit or admitted wrongdoing. The case adds to a growing number of automotive class actions centered on electrical systems, software management and parasitic battery drain issues as modern vehicles rely more heavily on connected technology, sensors and power-hungry convenience features that continue operating even when the vehicle is turned off. Judge Throws Out Nissan Leaf EV Fire Risk Lawsuit. A California federal judge has dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Nissan of selling Leaf electric vehicles with defective batteries that plaintiffs claimed created