GM Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit Putters Along in Oregon

A class action lawsuit alleging GM sold defective Vortec engines that suffer from excessive oil consumption will continue in Oregon after defeating a dismissal attempt by the automaker in Oregon federal court.  

Lead plaintiff, William Martell, filed the GM engine class action lawsuit in Oregon federal court in February 2020. He claimed that his 2011 Chevy Silverado suffered from excessive oil consumption caused by defects in the Vortec engine.  

Martell claimed the following vehicles were equipped with a defective GM engine: 

• 2010–2014 Chevrolet Avalanche 
• 2010–2013 Chevrolet Silverado 
• 2010–2014 Chevrolet Suburban 
• 2010–2014 Chevrolet Tahoe 
• 2010–2013 GMC Sierra 
• 2010–2014 GMC Yukon 
• 2010–2014 GMC Yukon XL 

GM urged the court to toss the class action lawsuit, contending that the automaker had not breached its express warranty to Martell and others who owned vehicles equipped with Vortec engines, along with seeking dismissal of state law and fraud claims.  

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon rejected GM’s attempt to dodge the breach of warranty, as well as fraudulent concealment, and claims under Oregon state consumer protection laws.  

This is far from the only class action lawsuit lodged against GM claiming the Vortec engine is defective. The carmaker faces a class action in Michigan alleging that GMC and Chevy vehicles equipped with a Generation IV Vortec 5300 run through excessive amounts of oil. A West Virginia plaintiff also filed a class action lawsuit claiming GM knows about the faulty system that burns off extraordinary amounts of oil, causing engine failures and misfires, but allegedly continues selling vehicles despite the defective Vortec engine.  

Do you drive a vehicle made by GM with a Vortec engine? Have you had issues with oil consumption? Let us know in the comments below. 

The plaintiff is represented by Adam J. Levitt, DiCello Levitt & Casey LLC, Daniel Ferri of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC, Kim D. Stephens of Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC, Leslie L. Pescia, H. Clay Barnett III, and James Mitchell Williams of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.LES PC, John Tangren of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC, and Wilson “Dee” Miles III of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.LES PC. 

The GM Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Martell v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 3:20-cv-00284 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

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• BREAKING: BMW Oil Burning Class Action Settlement Lands in Federal Court
• GM Vortec Engine in 2011-2014 GMC, Chevy Vehicles Defective, Alleges Class Action Lawsuit