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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Short answer: Spotify did offer a voluntary refund process after announcing that Car Thing would stop working, but it was not an automatic payment to every owner. Customers generally had to contact Spotify support and show proof of purchase. The reported deadline for requesting a refund was January 14, 2025. As of August 18, 2026, the available case information does not establish a class-action settlement, court-ordered payout, or open company-wide refund program.
What Spotify Car Thing was—and why it stopped working
Car Thing was a Spotify-branded in-car controller with physical controls, a display and voice commands. It connected to a phone and Spotify; it was not a standalone cellular music player. Spotify officially launched it in the United States on February 22, 2022, as described in its launch announcement.
Spotify stopped selling Car Thing in July 2022 but initially indicated that existing units would continue receiving support. On May 23, 2024, it announced that the devices would stop functioning on December 9, 2024. The company reportedly told users to reset the device and dispose of it through local electronic-waste channels; see the customer notice and complaint materials.
The lawsuit described the shutdown as a forced software or firmware change that would leave owners with an unusable product. That is a claim made in the complaint, not a court finding.
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The timeline: announcement, lawsuit and refund offer
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 22, 2022 | Car Thing became officially available in the U.S. |
| May 23, 2024 | Spotify announced that Car Thing would stop working after December 9, 2024. |
| May 28, 2024 | A proposed class action was filed in the Southern District of New York, case 1:24-cv-04077-KPF. |
| May 30, 2024 | Spotify confirmed a support-based refund process for customers who could prove their purchase. |
| December 9, 2024 | Car Thing units were disabled. |
| January 14, 2025 | Contemporary reporting identified this as the deadline to contact Spotify for a refund. |
The refund announcement came shortly after the filing and amid strong customer criticism. That chronology does not prove Spotify admitted liability or that the lawsuit legally compelled the payments.
How Spotify’s refund process worked
The reported process required the owner to initiate contact with Spotify customer support rather than submit a universal automated claim. The support route reported at the time was Spotify’s U.S. contact page.
Proof Spotify reportedly accepted
- An emailed invoice;
- An order-confirmation email;
- Comparable documentation identifying the purchase.
Before contacting support, gather the order number, purchase date, amount paid, the Spotify account or email used, any serial number, and evidence of the original payment method. A serial number by itself was not identified as a guaranteed substitute for a receipt.
Why owners reported different outcomes
Contemporary accounts described inconsistent early support responses. Some customers were refused, offered Premium subscription credit, or escalated to another agent. Those reports are anecdotal and do not establish a universal Spotify policy. The sources support a refund process, but not a promise that every customer received cash or the original manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
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What the proposed class action alleged
The complaint alleged that Spotify marketed Car Thing for driving without adequately disclosing that it could later be disabled, sold a product that would become unusable after a relatively short period, and violated consumer-protection and related laws. It sought class certification, actual and statutory damages, potentially punitive damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, attorney fees and a refund at the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. The filing is available at Digital Music News.
A complaint contains allegations and requested remedies. It does not prove the claims, certify a class, or create a payment fund.
Was there a settlement or court-ordered payout?
Not on the evidence currently available. ClassAction.org’s case page says its investigation is complete and notes that at least one lawsuit was filed, but it does not report a settlement distribution, final judgment or universal payment program.
- The lawsuit did: put legal demands before a court and add pressure for refunds and other relief.
- It did not establish: automatic entitlement for every owner.
- It did not prove: that Spotify admitted wrongdoing or that a judge ordered refunds.
- It was separate from: Spotify’s customer-support refund process.
Can you still request money in 2026?
The reported January 14, 2025 deadline has passed, so do not assume Spotify must accept a new claim. You can nevertheless ask whether an exception or unresolved case remains:
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- Use only Spotify’s official support page.
- State that the request concerns a Car Thing bought from Spotify.
- Attach the invoice, order confirmation or equivalent proof.
- Include the order number, date, price and serial number if available.
- Ask specifically whether a late-claim exception or archived refund process exists.
- Keep the ticket number, transcript and screenshots; request a written reason if denied.
These steps are practical requests, not a guarantee of payment. Do not send your password, full card number or unnecessary bank credentials to an unverified account.
Common complications
- An expired card or closed account can affect how any approved refund is delivered.
- PayPal or another payment intermediary may require a different route.
- A changed Spotify account or missing email can make the transaction harder to locate.
- Gift recipients and secondhand buyers may not have the original purchaser’s documentation.
Ask support how an approved reimbursement would be issued. Do not assume Premium credit is the standard remedy, and do not confuse a subscription refund with reimbursement for hardware. Spotify’s ordinary refund-policy page mainly covers subscriptions, audiobooks, podcasts, gift cards and partner payments; it is not a clear replacement for the special Car Thing process.
Legal considerations before escalating
Spotify’s U.S. terms contain arbitration and class-action-waiver language, subject to the terms’ exceptions and applicable law. Whether those provisions apply to a particular hardware claim depends on the purchase terms, account relationship, governing law and specific claims. The terms are at Spotify’s legal page. This is not individualized legal advice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a Car Thing refund?
The ordinary reported deadline was January 14, 2025. In 2026, you can ask official support about an exception, but no open, universal program is established by the available information.
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What if I lost my receipt?
Ask Spotify to search by account, email or order details and provide any order number, payment record or confirmation you still have. Approval is not guaranteed without purchase evidence.
What if I bought the device secondhand?
Eligibility may be difficult because the reported process centered on proof that the claimant purchased the device from Spotify. Contact support with the records you possess, but do not assume resale ownership qualifies.
Was the lawsuit settled?
The available case update does not report a settlement, final judgment or settlement checks. A filed complaint should not be treated as a completed class action.
Can I use or sell Car Thing now?
Spotify disabled the service on December 9, 2024, so the device no longer performs its intended Spotify function. A resale listing should clearly disclose that shutdown.
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Does contacting Spotify waive my legal rights?
That depends on the terms of any resolution and applicable law. Read any release or settlement language before accepting an offer and seek qualified legal advice for a dispute-specific assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get a Car Thing refund in 2026?
The reported January 14, 2025 deadline has passed. You may ask official Spotify support about an exception, but there is no established company-wide late-claim program.
Was the Car Thing class action settled?
The available case update does not report a settlement, final judgment or universal payout.
What proof of purchase should I provide?
Use an invoice, order-confirmation email or comparable record, plus the order number, date, amount and account information.
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The Bottom Line
Spotify did create a conditional, support-based refund path for documented Car Thing purchases after the shutdown announcement and lawsuit filing. It was not an automatic refund, the reported deadline expired January 14, 2025, and the available information does not establish a settlement or court-ordered payout. Owners can still make a documented inquiry through official Spotify support, but should treat success as uncertain.
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