GM Class Action Says Camaro Airbags are Defective

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Three California residents have joined together in filing a class action lawsuit against General Motors alleging that its 2010-2011 Chevrolet Camaros contain an airbag defect that prevents the front, passenger-side airbags from deploying, posing an unreasonable safety risk.

According to the complaint filed collectively by Philip Bryde, Jennifer Waters and Alvin Northington, “the Airbag Defect can cause the the front passenger frontal airbag to fail to deploy when it otherwise should.” Numerous owners have reported that their airbag warning lights turn on and off when a passenger is seated in the vehicle, indicating that the airbag may fail to deploy in a crash, the lawsuit states.

The alleged defect is problematic and potentially catastrophic, as drivers could easily fail to understand what the warning lights mean or miss them turning on altogether, the plaintiffs claim.

Drivers who did notice and had the malfunctioning sensors fixed, ended up paying out-of-pocket for repairs, the lawsuit states.

“As a result of the Airbag Defect, numerous owners have found it necessary to replace the right front passenger airbag sensor and/or other component parts at considerable expense,” with some of these repairs costing up to $700, according to the lawsuit.

However, that is not the only problem the plaintiffs are taking issue with. The named plaintiffs are also alleging that General Motors was aware and failed to disclose that its 2010-2011 Chevrolet Camaro airbags were defective, stating that GM has access to Technical Service Bulletins and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints regarding the potential dangers of the alleged airbag defect.

In fact, there are nearly 18 pages of NHTSA-filed complaints referenced in the lawsuit. Despite the notice of numerous consumer complaints, warranty data, and dealership repair orders documenting the Camaro airbag defect, the plaintiffs allege that General Motors never issued a recall to fix the defect or even attempted to notify owners about the issue, according to the lawsuit.

Instead, General Motors actively concealed the existence of the defect, “Although Defendant was aware of the widespread nature of the Airbag Defect in the Class Vehicles, and the grave safety risk posed by it, Defendant took no steps to notify customers of the Airbag Defect or to provide them with any relief.”

As a result of General Motors alleged actions regarding the Camaro airbag defect, the plaintiffs are seeking certification for a nationwide Class of all purchasers and lessees of any 2010 and 2011 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles as well as California subclass.

The lawsuit states various violations of consumer protection laws, fraudulent omission and breach of implied warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

The plaintiffs are requesting that General Motors notify affected owners, offer free repairs, extend the vehicles airbag warranties, and compensate affected consumers for damages and restitution for the diminished value of their vehicles.

The plaintiffs are represented by Lionel Z. Glancy and Mark S. Greenstone of Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP.

The Camaro Airbag Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Bryde, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 4:16-cv-02421, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.