Paul Tassin  |  July 21, 2017

Category: Consumer News

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car-sunroofA California Cadillac owner is taking action over General Motors’ alleged failure to address a Cadillac sunroof defect that causes those sunroofs to leak.

Plaintiff Kelley Gaines says the sunroof on her Cadillac SRX vehicle and others like it uses a defective design that allows water to leak into the interior of the vehicle.

She argues defendant General Motors should cover the cost of repair or replacement of the defective Cadillac sunroofs. GM, however, has denied warranty coverage for the Cadillac sunroof defect, according to this Cadillac class action lawsuit.

Gaines says she discovered the problem with her own Cadillac sunroof in February 2017, when she noticed the floor of her Cadillac SRX was soaked with water. Further inspection revealed the padding between the firewall and the instrument panel was also soaked.

Repairing the defect and its related damage allegedly cost $442.48 to replace both sunroof drainage tubes, $513 to remove and clean the carpet, and $50 for a carpet shampoo. Gaines says her insurance company covered most of the cost, but she was still on the hook for a $250 deductible.

GM has allegedly known about the Cadillac sunroof defect for years, Gaines says. She cites a GM technical service bulletin issued in August 2013 in which GM blames the leakage on problems with the sunroof drain hoses, among other possible defects.

The company also set up a Customer Satisfaction program in January 2015 to address the leakage problem, but that program specifically excluded Cadillac owners who lived in Gaines’ home state of California.

Gaines argues these documents show GM was aware that the Cadillac sunroof defect was causing problems within the warranty period. Yet GM has allegedly been denying warranty claims from owners seeking repair or replacement of their leaky sunroofs, Gaines alleges.

These owners have been forced to have their Cadillac sunroofs fixed at their own expense, paying costs that Gaines argues should be borne by GM.

Gaines initially filed this Cadillac class action lawsuit back in May, naming Cadillac Automobile Company as defendant. She then asked the court to dismiss that action without prejudice so she could re-file it against GM.

Gaines is proposing to represent all current and former owners and lessees of model year 2010 to 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles located in California who have paid for repair or replacement of their leaky Cadillac sunroof.

She is asking the court to order GM to stop the allegedly unlawful and unfair business practices complained of here, offer public notice of the Cadillac sunroof leaking defect, and extend warranty coverage to provide free repair or replacement in affected vehicles. She also seeks an award of damages, restitution and disgorgement, court costs and attorneys’ fees, all with pre- and post-judgment interest.

Gaines is represented by attorney Robert A. Waller, Jr. of Law Office of Robert A. Waller, Jr. and by Patricia L. Zlaket of Zlaket Law Offices APC.

The Cadillac Sunroof Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Kelley Gaines v. General Motors Co., Case No. 3:17-cv-01351, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

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18 thoughts onCadillac Class Action Says Sunroof Defect Should Get Warranty Coverage

  1. Lam do says:

    I own an srx 2010, my sunroof fell! They wanted to charge me 2k to fix it. Sign me up!

  2. Robert Wilbur says:

    2010 SRX
    Same sunroof drain issue that could have been corrected
    years ago.
    Water in / under rear spare tire well destroys the electric tail
    gate command unit requires replace replacement for hundreds
    Of dollars.

    Hose inside windshield pillars becomes loose dumping water on floor on drivers side and or passenger side floor.

    Silly fix of one piece hose from Sunroof drains to bottom of chassis instead of multiple fittings that shake loose and damage car.
    Back to Asia for my next quality SUV.

    1. Tamara Hood says:

      We have a 2009 Cadillac Cts with the same Sunroof problems. The service Dept. Could never get it fixed. GM finally told us it was the result of us having a ceiled water bottle in the trunk that had never lost any water. The inspector they sentnout did not do a water test to see how water was coming in and it was not raining on the day he came to inspect the vehicle so he could not see where the water was coming from. It was my mother Evelyn Hood’s retirement car, but she has never gotten to enjoy it.
      .

  3. Patricia Love says:

    I have a 2005 STS with a leaky roof

  4. MATTIE P ROGERS says:

    I have a 2015 SRX and the molding around the back sunroof has 2 cracks causing water intrusion, damaging the retractable privacy shade. Dealership estimate to replace the back sunroof and the privacy shade is approximately $2,900.00. The dealership is attributing this as “normal wear and tear” which is not covered under my extended warranty, oops I forgot to mention my mileage has exceeded the bumper to bumper warranty. My car is garage keep and well maintained and it is no reason on earth that the sunroof molding is failing.

  5. Tyrone K Edwards says:

    I have a 2013 SRX now with the same problem, didn’t notice it until my windows started to fog up on the inside, which lead me to check the carpet which is too late because once it gets to the carpet it has probably been going on for a while, the reason i say this is because in my case all drains work perfect my problem is the front cowl leaking and the sound proofing material used has been acting like a sponge to the point it cant hold any more water ,water has even started to make its way to the back I am really upset because its no telling how long this has been going on, this past weekend i pull up the carpet and i could squeeze out puddles of water from the sound proofing material :-(

  6. Raven Evans says:

    I have a 2007 escalade and it leaks as well has my interior stained

  7. Robert says:

    LOL good ol GM “Still sticking it to the people” should be their new ad slogan !!

  8. Valerie Ayro says:

    I have a 2005 and it do leaks so include me in to

  9. Katrina Ware says:

    It does it in the 2005 models also please include all models

  10. Leonard A Wilson says:

    The leak has been going on since the 2004 SRX Model, this law suit should include all Cadillac SRX Owners with the Panoramic Roofs.

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