GM Class Action Lawsuit Alleges ‘Chevy Shake’ Defect

A Chevy owner alleges in a class action lawsuit that various models of GM vehicles are prone to violent shaking and the car maker is aware of the defect.

Lead plaintiff Douglas Weiss claims that a defective driveline leads to a wide variety of GM vehicles to experience the “Chevy Shake.”

According to the Chevy class action, “defective drivelines were installed in all model year 2015 to present Cadillac Escalades, 2014 to present Chevrolet Silverados, 2015 to present Chevrolet Suburbans, 2015 to present Chevrolet Tahoes, 2014 to present GMC Sierras, and 2015 to present GMC Yukon/Yukon XLs.”

The plaintiff alleges that he purchased a new 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. He says that he began to experience the Chevy shake when his vehicle had a mere 12,000 miles on it.

Weiss claims that the shake begins at approximately 70 mph and becomes “aggressive” between 75 and 80 mph.

“Plaintiff and Class Members purchased GM vehicles fitted with defective drive shafts that cause them to shake at high speeds,” claims the GM class action lawsuit.

“This is a major safety concern because drivers have reported that the defect makes the vehicles feel unstable at speed and can cause a loss of control. Over time, an unaddressed drive shaft defect can cause the part to progressively deteriorate, culminating in failure as the shaft drops to the ground and renders the vehicle undriveable”

According to the GM class action lawsuit, the defect originates in the material used to make the drive shaft – aluminum.

The plaintiff claims that the fix is easy, simply replace the drive shaft with one not made from aluminum; however, GM refuses to provide such a fix. The most the company will do, says the plaintiff noting consumer reports, is replace the drive shaft with a similarly defective aluminum one.

“Customers who have ordered, paid out of pocket for and installed custom-made steel drive shafts have reported that their repair was a complete fix,” notes the Chevy shake class action lawsuit.

The plaintiff says that GM “has long been aware” of the defective driveline, but failed to inform him and other vehicle owners and lessees of the problem. Additionally, the car maker continues to manufacture vehicles with the defect, alleges the GM class action lawsuit.

According to the Chevy class action lawsuit, the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission has investigated the Chevy shake as well. In addition, the car makers own technical service bulletins have notes that the source of the shaking could be the drive shafts becoming dented.

The GM class action lawsuit points to numerous consumer complaints of the Chevy shake. Further, a number of news outlets allegedly reported on the defect. Despite these reports, the plaintiff says GM refuses to provide a comprehensive fix for the Chevy shake.

“Plaintiff and Class Members have suffered harm as a result of GM’s decision not to disclose the defect by overpaying for their vehicles and by paying significant sums for GM to attempt, and fail, to properly diagnose and repair their vehicles that exhibit the Chevy Shake,” states the General Motors class action lawsuit.

The plaintiff seeks to represent owners and lessees of GM vehicles affected by the allegedly defective drive shaft, along with a Florida subclass.

The plaintiff is represented by F. Jerome Tapley, Hirlye R. “Ryan” Lutz, III and Adam W. Pittman of Cory Watson PC, and by Nicholas A. Migliaccio and Jason S. Rathod of Migliaccio & Rathod LLP.

The GM Chevy Shake Class Action Lawsuit is Weiss v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 1:19-cv-21552-RNS, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.

UPDATE: On June 17, 2019, General Motors asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by a consumer who claims that certain Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC vehicles shake while traveling at highway speeds.

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