GM Class Action Says Chevrolet Corvette’s Rims Bend

GM has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that certain models of 2015 and newer Chevy Corvettes are subject to a defect that causes cracks and bends in their wheel rims.

Lead plaintiff Anthony Nardizzi claims in the GM class action lawsuit that in addition to requiring costly repairs to the wheel rims, Corvette owners also have to pay for pricey tire repairs and replacements, often costing more than $1,000.

According to the Corvette class action lawsuit, Nardizzi purchased a 2018 Chevy Corvette new at a dealership. He says that two of the wheels were bent by the time he left the dealership and took it to a third-party wheel finisher.

The defect poses a serious safety concern, says the GM class action lawsuit. “Cracked rims can cause the tire to fail and explode while driving, leading to a sudden loss of control at speed and a potential collision,” states the Chevy Corvette class action.

The GM class action lawsuit alleges that the car maker has long known of the defect plaguing its high-end sports cars.

“GM knew of the Rim Defect well before Plaintiff Nardizzi’s purchase in June 2018,” alleges the Corvette class action lawsuit. “By 2017, GM had received numerous complaints regarding the bending and cracking rims, and GM monitored and responded to these complaints.”

In fact, claims the plaintiff, GM denied the existence of the defect in 2017.

“Although GM sold its Corvette with a 3-year, 36,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper warranty, GM is refusing to cover the Rim Defect, arguing that the customers’ driving and the roads are to blame for the wheel failures,” alleges the GM class action lawsuit.

The plaintiff contends that he and other Corvette owners would not have purchased the vehicles had they known of the rim defect.

The models affected by the alleged wheel defect includes 2015 to present Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and 2017 to present Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport vehicles.

According to the GM class action lawsuit, the problem with the wheels is that the rims are made of aluminum alloy. The rims are allegedly prone to bending and cracking at “extremely low mileages.”

The complaint cites a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report noting that the affected Corvettes vibrate at highway speeds.

“Took the vehicle into the dealer and was told that the wheel was bent,” says the report according to the GM class action. “Service manager stated that this was happening to many Corvettes and was due to the stiffness of the tire and the weakness of the factory wheel. GM has denied a claim under warranty.”

The plaintiff seeks to represent a nationwide Class of those who purchased or leased affected Chevrolet Corvette vehicles, along with a California subclass.

The GM class action lawsuit is seeking damages as well as a court order stopping the car maker from deceiving and failing to inform consumers of the alleged wheel defect.

The lead plaintiff and proposed Class are represented by Mark A. Ozzello, Tarek H. Zohdy, Cody R. Padgett, and Trisha K. Monesi of Capstone Law APC.

The GM Chevy Corvette Rim Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Nardizzi v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 5:17-cv-01870, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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