Can You File a Cracked Rim Vehicle Defect Lawsuit?

A recent class action lawsuit filed against General Motors by several Corvette owners alleges that some models have a vehicle safety defect that causes the cars’ rims to crack.

What Are Some Cracked Rim Causes?

The rim is the large metal circle inside of the tire on a vehicle. Rims create the shape of the tire and allow it to be attached to the vehicle. However, although rims are manufactured to be strong enough to carry the weight of the vehicle, they may still crack or bend.

There are several potential causes of cracked rims. One common cause of a cracked rim is driving on a flat or low tire. When you drive with tires that are flat or not properly inflated, the tires are unable to absorb the impact of bumps and rough roads. Running over a bump with a low tire may cause the metal rim to come into contact with the road, resulting in the rim bending or cracking. Ensuring that the air pressure in your tires is at the appropriate levels may be one way to avoid cracking your rims.

Even when the air pressure in tires is at the appropriate level, driving on uneven or rough roads may be enough to crack a rim. Running over a pothole or a curb are common causes of cracked rims.

Another common cause of a cracked rim is damage to the tires from salted winter roads. Over time, contact with salt can cause the metal rims to rust and corrode. In addition to being visually unattractive, corroded rims may also become weak and vulnerable to cracking or bending.

However, many Corvette owners have claimed that they experienced a cracked rim despite not running over a pothole or driving through ice or snow. Cracked rims may also be caused by a defect in the way the tires or vehicle was designed. If you experienced a cracked rim due to a vehicle defect, you may have legal options.

According to at least one lawsuit against General Motors, Corvette wheels may be prone to cracking due to the way the wheels are created and the materials used in their construction. Corvette wheels are cast rather than being forged and may be made from cheap material. Additionally, claims have been made that General Motors used less material in the construction of the wheels than is necessary to hold up the weight of the car, resulting in excessive strain on the rims.

Is a Cracked Rim Safe to Drive On?

If you notice that you have a cracked rim, you may want to have it repaired as soon as possible. A cracked rim can be very dangerous to drive on. In addition to potentially damaging the rest of the tire or the vehicle, a cracked rim may also lead to a tire blowout. If the rim cracks in a way that results in sharp edges, the rim may puncture the rubber part of the tire. A tire blowout occurs when a tire fails and explodes while the vehicle is in motion. Blowouts can be incredibly dangerous, as they may happen suddenly and result in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

Can a Cracked Rim Cause a Flat Tire?

A cracked rim may also cause a flat tire. When the integrity of the rim has been damaged, the tire is not able to function properly and safely, and may be at risk of exploding or deflating.

Symptoms of a Cracked Rim

Although you may not know the exact moment your rim became cracked, there are symptoms of a cracked rim that drivers can watch out for.

Common signs that a car may have a cracked rim are a thumping sound coming from the tires, vibrations that come through the steering wheel while driving, a change in the way the car handles, gas mileage suddenly decreasing, or the vehicle trying to pull to one side while driving.

If you experience any of these issues, you may want to check whether one of your rims is cracked. Once a cracked rim has been diagnosed, it may be best to have it repaired before driving the vehicle.

How to Fix a Cracked Rim

While it is sometimes possible to repair a cracked rim, in many cases, the entire wheel will need to be replaced. Rims that are simply bent rather than cracked may be able to be fixed by restoring the rim to its original shape.

Even cracked rims may be fixable depending on the amount of damage. If the crack is small or thin, it may be repaired through welding. However, if the crack is long or broad, this type of repair may not hold up over time. In these cases, it may be more time and cost-effective to simply replace the entire wheel.

Additionally, multiple consumer complaints posted on the online message board CorvetteForum.com say that replacing a cracked rim is not a simple task. Several consumers complained that Corvette wheels are frequently unavailable or out of stock. In addition to the cost of paying for new wheels after they bend or crack, some drivers may also be required to wait a period of time before new wheels are even available, potentially leaving them without a usable vehicle.

Other drivers gripe that it’s frustrating to worry about the safety of driving a vehicle that costs more than $70,000.

Cracked Rim Repair Cost

The price tag for repairing a damaged rim may vary widely, depending on the extent of the damage. In cases where the rim is bent, it may cost around $75 to straighten out the damage and return the rim to its original shape. In cases of small cracks that may be fixed by welding the rim, it may cost between $80 and $125 to repair the rim. However, in many cases, these repairs may not be a long term solution. Once the integrity of the wheel has been compromised, it may be more likely to crack or bend in the future. Often, the best way to repair a cracked rim is to simply replace the wheel.

Replacing a cracked rim may cost anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the type of vehicle and rim.

Can You Sue the Car Manufacturer for a Cracked Rim?

Although it may be expensive to replace or repair a cracked rim, owners of affected vehicles may be able to recover the cost.

According to a recent class action lawsuit filed by several owners of the C7 Corvette Grand Sport and the C7 Corvette Z06, the factory tire rims that come with the cars may be prone to breaking or cracking. Several plaintiffs claim that they have experienced issues with the wheels including bending, warping, and cracking. Additionally, they claim that GM may have been aware of this potentially dangerous defect and continued to manufacture and sell the vehicles. Some claims allege that GM may even have attempted to cover up the defect by telling customers that their cracked rims were caused by potholes or other road damage.

The vehicles that may be affected by the alleged defect include models of the C7 Corvette Z06 manufactured in 2015 and later, and the C7 Corvette Grand Sport from 2017 or later.

Should You Hire a Vehicle Defect Lawyer?

If you own a C7 Corvette Z06 or a C7 Corvette Grand Sport and have experienced vehicle defects such as a cracked rim, you may be able to speak with an experienced attorney about your legal options. People who have purchased defective vehicles may be able to file a class action lawsuit against the auto manufacturer and pursue compensation or reimbursement for expenses related to the defect.

Join a Free Vehicle Safety Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you own a vehicle that you believe has a safety defect and you are outside of the warranty period or you believe the defect should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, or you or a family member have been injured by a safety related defect, you may qualify to join this vehicle safety defect class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.