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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
2011 Camaro RS car breaks down 114000 miles Dealer recommendeds motor replacement 3 months to install and returned the car 3 times after I picked up from dealer 24 hrs later 14,000 miles on new motor making sounds ticking Towed to dealer on 5-14-22 was told I barrings on new motor where spun 9-3-22 was told motor wasl fixed 5 months in shop I picked up Camaro sounded worse then when I brought it in to dealer I was told I needed a transmission so I had it towed to Ammco whom installed a new transmission it took 5 days to complete and was informed by Ammco that my new fixed motor psi was 6 !!! That I should talk to dealer my car is to be towed back to dealer for who knows how long who’s gonna pay for the wear and tear of my car sitting in a dealer shop for 5 months ? I want my money back for the motor $7000 and the money for a new car had to purchase to get to work $5000 the towing fees and the dealer charged me $800 to change purge valve oil and sensor and gas cap only to find out it wasn’t that the motors psi is 6 wow.
I just had do do a whole engine swap on my 2007 suburban for these very issues. I bought it used and only owned it for 6 months before the engine started knocking. Had to spend over $4,500 that I did not have.
I live in Tennessee and have a 2014 Chevrolet Captiva with the 2.4 oil burning engine. It’s to the point that the catalytic converter thrower a code. Local dealer offered to repair converter for $2100.
Nobody is looking at helping Captiva owners as they were only sold to car rental agencies even thought they are winding up in the hands of unsuspecting individuals.
I also have a 2014 Chevy Captiva that needs a new catalytic converter and a new engine! I was quoted almost $9,000 to repair my car. It now just sits in my driveway……..
2007 Impala POS uses oil; goes thru tires; so many issues and <73K miles.
Add me to this law suit as well! My 2012 Terrain burns oil like crazy!
I had a 2008 chevy suburban that was maintained with regular oil changes -one day the engine completely gave out with absolutely no warning light or warning sign It just stopped running one day in middle of my wife driving it It was bone dry without a drop of oil. The engine seized as a result. Shortly thereafter After fixing the engine, the trans went. This ridiculously costly vehicle had just hit 100,000 miles (which by the way, the government was giving incentives to buy SUV,s at the time) the company admitted the engine was defective but claimed it was out of warrantee – Chevy dealers actually now tell customers that they addressed that defect and now changed the design of the engine! I’d like in on a suit against them. And while we are at it how about we address the plan to force overpriced electric cars on us all!
I have a 2012 Chevy Equinox that needs oil added about every 750-1000 miles. Never received any information about this problem from the dealer. Please add me to the lawsuit.
I also have a Silverado 2014 5.3 I have to put 2 quarts in at a little more then half the life of oil change how do I get in on the class action suet
When you know how to get in the law suit please let me know. My GMC Terrain burns so much oil
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500, 5.3L V8. Consuming way too much oil. Going to take it in to be looked at shortly.
My 2022 GMC Acadia is using 1 quart of oil every 1500 miles. Dealer changed oil and it’s down a quart again. Only 1600 miles since oil change. Never buy another GMC or Chevy.
I have a 2009 that is constantly fouling out plugs
Purchased new 2013 Avalanche, LC9-7 engine in GA. Oil consumption 1qt every 3K for the life of the engine. Lifter failure this year. Had to pay for complete re-build. Ouch! I’d like to know about the class action.