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General Motors PCV System Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: A group of General Motors vehicle owners have filed a class action lawsuit against the car manufacturer.
- Why: Vehicle owners claim GM fails to disclose an alleged defect with the positive crank ventilation system in certain vehicles it manufactures and sells.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Michigan federal court.
General Motors fails to disclose a defect with the positive crank ventilation system (PCV) in their vehicles’ internal combustion engines, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
A group of GM vehicle owners claim the PCV systems in certain vehicles manufactured by the company are prone to “plugging and clogging” during cold weather.
The vehicles affected by the alleged defect are GM’s 2010-2016 Buick Lacrosse, 2011-2017 Buick Regal, 2012-2017 Buick Verano, 2010-2015 Chevrolet Captiva, 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox, 2013-2014 Chevrolet Malibu and 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles, according to the class action lawsuit.
In the event a PCV system malfunctions, the owners argue the vehicle’s engine pressure can increase and lead to a rupture of its rear main seal, which they say can cause both catastrophic and permanent damage.
GM, vehicle owners claim, sent out a “Diagnostic Tip” bulletin to dealers, but not to customers, in 2019 on account of the alleged clogging issue.
GM Class Action Claims Automaker Neither Recalled Affected Vehicles Nor Extended Warranties
Vehicle owners argue, meanwhile, that GM neither recalled the vehicles nor extended their warranties, instead electing only to “advised technicians to use a drill bit to clean out the clogged orifice.”
Further, vehicle owners claim GM has known since “at least 1985” about the “PCV system’s vulnerability to cold weather and clogging” with owners arguing the company has repeatedly advised dealers on “how to fix” the issue.
“Despite this track record, GM continues to conceal this defect from consumers at the point of sale and continues to design, manufacture, distribute and sell hundreds of thousands of vehicles prone to this defect,” the class action lawsuit states.
Vehicle owners claim GM is guilty of unjust enrichment and fraudulent concealment, among other things, and in violation of a number of state consumer protection acts.
The vehicle owners want to represent a nationwide Class and Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Wisconsin subclasses of all persons or entities who purchased or leased one or more of the affected GM vehicles.
Plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial and requesting injunctive relief along with costs, restitution and punitive, exemplary and treble damages for themselves and all class members.
In related news, GM recalled more than 740,000 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles last month over concerns the vehicles’ lower head lamps could present a glare issue due to a headlight housing defect.
Have you purchased a GM vehicle containing a defective PCV system? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiffs are represented by E. Powell Miller, Sharon S. Almonrode and Dennis A. Lienhardt of The Miller Law Firm PC and Steve W. Berman, Jerrod C. Patterson and Anthea D. Grivas of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP.
The General Motors PCV System Class Action Lawsuit is Kiriacopoulos, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 2:22-cv-10785, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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186 thoughts onGM Class Action Alleges Automaker Fails To Disclose Engine-Related Defect
My husband an I are on social security we save to buy a nice vehicle we bought a used 203 Chev Captiva an drove in for about 2 months. Went to start it one morning an nothing had it towed to a garage checked an they said my timing chain break an o companion in the engine it needed to be replaced we don’t have that kind of money
I have a 2011 Chevy Cruze with a factory 1.4, driving on the highway one night, I lost all power and could only muster enough to go 5mph to the next exit less than a mile away. The smoke screen barreling out the back was a tell tale sign of my misfortune. I had always wanted a Chevy Cruze. Chevy was my favored car since I was a kid. It was during attempts to repair my car that my love turned to loathe. When I saw the stream of oil pouring into my turbo and every other orifice available it made me sick. My employer fired me for not having transportation, after i missed a week of work, and I spent every dime I had replacing the damaged components, but when I was done, I started the car and was amazed at how much smoke actually pumps through the intake, though my neigbors were none too impressed. After spending all my money and losing my job, i realized there is a team of engineers making a fortune from my misfortunes, while I am standing in line at the food pantry, they are having groceries delivered to their door, because the accountants only consider the profit margins and not the affect their aftermarket profits have on their victims. I am at a loss for a vehicle I always wanted, a dream since boyhood, a dream they killed aimlessly and without remorse. I could probably take it, except I’ve recently suffered the loss of my parents and two closest siblings, the car I bought with the money that I received as compensation from the man that killed my mom, i thought she would be proud, not ashamed. I wish I could do ro GM what they did to me, but no one should suffer the way I have because of this piece of shit smoke machine. If I had a car, I could work, if I could work I could eat. I just wish there was something I could do, I hate the thought of living my last few years angry hungry and homeless because I always dreamed of owning a cruze, but this appears to be my lot in life, be sure to thank GM for me
I had purchased a 2012 Chevy Equinox and it had a oil consumption issue, I couldn’t afford the major repairs so I voluntarily surrendered the vehicle to be auctioned off, then I had to pay off the balance of my loan without having a vehicle. I shouldn’t have bought the 2014 Chevy Captiva either, should have researched it better, had major repairs, over $13 k total.
Had a 2016 chevy equinox, only 80k miles on it, took tremendous care of it, suffered the same issue. Blown rear main seal without any warning. Repair Cost are exceeding the vehicles worth. The vehicle Was worth 10k 15 months ago, now it’s shot, Complete bullshit. Do not ever buy an Equinox.