GM Class Action Says Diesel Vehicles are ‘Ticking Time Bombs’

GM engines are prone to catastrophic failure due to a fuel injection pump defect, according to a recent GM class action lawsuit.

The General Motors class action claims that the problem stems from a Bosch-supplied CP4 high pressure fuel injection pump.

The CP4 pump allegedly worked successfully in vehicles in Europe, leading GM to use the pump in their American cars.

However, the plaintiffs say this pump is not compatible with American diesel fuel standards. Because of this, the CP4 pump allegedly fails to withstand U.S. diesel fuels in terms of lubrication or water content, meaning that it struggles to lift the volume of fuel necessary to lubricate itself.

According to the GM diesel class action lawsuit, the pump runs without lubrication and destroys itself as its metal components rub on each other. This friction allegedly generates metal debris which are then deposited throughout the fuel injection system and engine.

The plaintiffs say once this problem manifests, the engine “suddenly and cataclysmically fails without warning.” Allegedly, sudden catastrophic engine failure can even occur while the vehicle is in operation, putting vehicle owners and other drivers at risk.

The GM diesel defect class action lawsuit states that fixing the issue can reportedly cost anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 per vehicle.

These high repair costs are in addition to the higher price paid for diesel vehicles, the plaintiffs say. The GM class action claims consumers are willing to pay a higher price for diesel vehicles due to their long life expectancy, more power, and lower fuel intake. However, GM’s engine defect allegedly cuts the life of these durable vehicles short.

“Put simply, Plaintiffs and all members of the proposed Class paid a premium for their diesel vehicles, and were harmed by being sold vehicles with a defective fuel injection pump that is substandard for American fuel,” the GM class action lawsuit claims.

The General Motors engine class action argues that GM knew or should have known that the CP4 pump would not have worked in American diesel vehicles.

The deception allegedly carried out by the company has resulted in countless consumers finding themselves with unusable vehicles. While some consumers, such as the plaintiffs, have taken matters into their own hands and filed a GM class action lawsuit.

The plaintiffs seek to represent a Class of GM consumers who incurred expenses related to engine or fuel pump repair after having purchased or leased any of the following vehicles:

• 2011–2016 2500HD Silverado 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel Trucks with LML engines;
• 2011–2016 3500HD Silverado 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel Trucks with LML engines;
• 2011–2016 2500HD Sierra 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel Trucks with LML engines;
• 2011–2016 3500HD Sierra 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel Trucks with LML engines;
• 2010–2011 Chevrolet Express van with Duramax LGH engines;
• 2010–2011 GMC Savana van with Duramax LGH engines;
• 2010–2011 GMC Sierra trucks with RPO ZW9 (chassis cabs or trucks with pickup box delete) with Duramax LGH engines;
• 2011–2012 2500HD 3500 Silverado 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel Trucks with LGH engines; and
• 2011–2012 2500HD 3500 Sierra 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel Trucks with LGH engines.

Similar allegations have been filed in another class action lawsuit
against Ford over claims that the company used the same CP4 pump.

Plaintiffs are represented by Jeff D. Friedman, Steve W. Berman, and Sean R. Matt of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP; Robert C. Hilliard, Rudy Gonzales Jr., John B. Martinez, Marion Reilly, and Bradford P. Klager of Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP; and T. Michael Morgan of Morgan & Morgan PA.

UPDATE: The GM Defective Fuel Pump Class Action Investigation is now open! Submit your information, and an attorney will contact you directly if you qualify to participate in a class action investigation!

The GM Diesel Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Moonan, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 3:18-cv-07054-KAW, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.