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Update:
- General Motors can’t escape most of the class action claims lodged by a Georgia resident who alleges the automaker made defective engines that put occupants at risk, a Georgia federal judge has ruled.
- In an order issued Aug. 30, U.S. District Court Judge William M. Ray II mostly denied a motion to dismiss lodged by General Motors LLC.
- GM argued that all claims brought by plaintiff Anthony Nalley should be thrown out because they are time-barred and insufficiently pleaded.
- However Judge Ray said the issue of when the limitations periods began to toll is best settled by a jury, and struck only a claim for breach of express warranty.
GM engine oil consumption class action lawsuit overview:
- Why: The plaintiff claims GM knew about the oil issues in its Vortec 5300 Engines but failed to disclose the defect to customers.
- Who: A GMC Sierra owner sued General Motors.
- Where: The class action lawsuit is pending in Georgia federal court.
(10/12/2021)
A Georgia resident is suing General Motors (GM) over allegedly defective engines and deceptive trade practices that put occupants at risk.
Anthony Nalley says he bought a new 2011 GMC Sierra equipped with a Generation IV Vortec 5300 Engine in March 2011. In 2015, after Nalley experienced an engine misfire in one of the cylinders and the check engine light, he was informed by a GM dealer that his GMC Sierra also had a fouled spark plug and an oil consumption problem.
GM, however, denied the oil consumption repairs that Nalley requested. Nalley maintains that GM never notified him about an oil consumption issue with the engine in his car.
The defective Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 LC9 engines affect select model year 2011-2014 Chevrolet and GMC Sierra, and other vehicles. Nalley represents himself and a state Class of people who bought or leased one or more of these Class Vehicles in the State of Georgia.
The class action lawsuit accuses GM of deceptive trade practices, unfair business practices, breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, and unjust enrichment.
GM engines ‘engineered to fail’
The Generation IV Vortec 5300 Engine consumes an “abnormally and improperly high” quantity of oil that allegedly exceeds industry standards, according to court documents. This excessive oil consumption results in low oil levels, insufficient lubricity levels, and corresponding engine component damage.
The class action lawsuit points to several causes of the oil consumption defect. One, the GM engine’s piston rings fail to keep oil in the crankcase. Two, the active fuel management system overloads the oil sprayed onto the defective piston rings, which leads to excessive oil migration into combustion chambers where it is then burned.
The oil migration fouls spark plugs no matter how often drivers top off their oil levels. Fouled spark plugs then lead to weakened or intermittent sparks or no spark at all, which triggers engine misfires and shutdowns.
Further, GM’s Oil Life Monitoring System monitors engine conditions to calculate the recommended time for an oil change and does not advise drivers until oil levels are critically low, according to the complaint. This results in drivers traveling “thousands of miles with inadequate engine lubricity levels, wearing out and damaging moving internal engine components.”
GM knew about oil consumption engine issue
GM has known about the oil consumption defect and resulting damage as early as 2007, according to the complaint. A 2008 GM investigation supposedly concluded the piston rings were prematurely failing and causing excessive oil consumption and internal engine wear. However, GM did not disclose the defect to potential customers of the affected vehicles.
Starting with some 2014 model vehicles, GM began implementing a Generation V Vortec 5300 engine which was redesigned to fix the excessive oil consumption of the Generation IV. GM has not offered relief to customers who own the defective Class Vehicles, according to the class action lawsuit.
The class action lawsuit seeks actual and statutory damages, punitive damages, restitution, pre- and post-judgment interest and attorneys’ costs.
Do you own a Chevrolet, GMC Sierra, or other vehicle with a Generation IV engine? How has it worked for you? Tell us in the comments below!
The plaintiff is represented by Benjamin R. Keen and H. Clay Barnett III of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles P.C.
The GM Engines Oil Consumption Class Action Lawsuit is Nalley v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 1:21-cv-04174-WMR, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division.
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130 thoughts onGM engine defect class action escapes dismissal
Many troubles from high oil usage and malfunctions. Add me
I had a 2012 Equinox and sold it because I was afraid that the engine would lock up and I wouldn’t be able to afford a new engine. I got less than I owed and I am stuck with the remainder of the loan l
I have a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox with 70,000 miles with a blown engine due to oil consumption. I did the oil consumption test and they still denied my claim! They wanted $8,000 to replace my engine.
I have a 2021 chevy tahoe. As of 20 Dec 2021, my check engine light flashed then causing many other malfunctions. Took it into the dealership, apparently I have a misfire, missing spark plug and many more engine issues. Fortunately it’s under warranty, however it has left me with no transportation. As a active duty servicemember with three teens, this has caused a tremendous amount of unwanted stress. Need help.
I have a GMC Acadia that has a lot of oil issues. I would need more information about this settlement.
I have a 2011 yukon with a 6.2 that burned through oil and potentially compromised the engine. Not sure what I can do. I cannot believe how it could burn through oil like that.
I have a 2012 Chevy Cruz that smells like burning oil constantly and has no power when I drive the fwy. I change my oil every 4 months or less and the car constantly smells like it’s gonna catch on fire when it’s running
My 2010 Chevy Silverado with 115,000 miles just dropped a valve and scared the cylinder ruining the motor. Motor has been meticulously maintained. How can I join the lawsuit. This is going to cost me $10,000 to repair! Motor is a 5.3L vortec
2017 Chevrolet Silverado LT. It has the newer 4.3 V6 Vortec engine, which is a redesign based off the 5.3 engine. I have the same issue the AFM active fuel management system causing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle is within the 5 year/60,000 mile warranty. It has 51,000 miles. It is using about 2 quarts of oil every 1200 miles. I checked with the local dealer about it and they performed an oil consumption test, at my expense, and verified the problem. The dealer and GM indicates that the next step is to pull the engine apart, at my expense, to verify if the issue is owner neglect or an actual GM defect. What do you expect the outcome to be?
I have a 02 Chevy Monte Carlo ss that has the same problem oil Consumption and check engine light with a misfire I took it to gm and back where I bought the car from and was told there’s nothing wrong with it at 11500 at 18600 the car stop running come to find out it’s was oil Consumption in it had got in the motor and I had to pay out of pocket to fix it which costed me $7,692.58 to fix’s the car please add me
I have a 2007 chevrolet 2500HD that I have to replace the motor due to the oil consumption issue. I really don’t have the money to do this. It is crazy.
I have a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3 litter engine. The lifters collapsed and had to be replaced. I also had a 2006 that had a high consumption of oil since I bought it used with 54,000 miles on it.
2013 GMC Sierra. I also have the same issue the AFM active fuel management system causing a musfire on #1 plug. Since the last oil change I had to add excessive oil to motor. At time of misfire the traction control light ABS and check engine lights came on. Checked with dealer about it and they sounded dumb and talked like they may have to replace lifters that are bad. This is a problem where it should be fixed right the 1st time or it will keep happening to GMs benefit. My problem is I have not been able to drive vehicle because I do not want to do further harm. What am I suppose to do? The local dealer said I should get it fixed right keep receipts and maybe if there is money I will get reimbursed. Well I want to join the lawsuit. They should replace these motors.