Recent GM class actions, recall affect automaker

GM class action lawsuits, recall overview: 

• Who: General Motors recently faced several class action lawsuits and expanded an ongoing recall. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits involve alleged vehicle defects, data collection and sharing and hackable key fobs. 
• Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts.

Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against General Motors (GM) over claims involving alleged vehicle defects, unlawful data collection and sharing and hackable key fobs. 

GM also expanded a recall last month over concerns certain GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado vehicles contain tailgates that can inadvertently unlatch while the vehicle is parked. 

Class action claims GM sold vehicles containing defective shifter assembly

A group of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against GM earlier this month over claims the automaker sold vehicles containing a defective shifter assembly. 

The consumers argue the shifter assembly fails to detect if a driver puts the vehicle in park, causing it to go into a mode that prevents the driver from being able to turn off or lock the vehicle and drains the battery.

“When the [GM defect] manifests, owners must resort to all manner of gimmicks to get the vehicle to recognize the transmission has been placed in park and allow the driver to turn off the vehicle,” the GM class action states. 

Vehicles named in the class action lawsuit include the automaker’s model year 2020-2023 Buick Encore, 2021-2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2020-2023 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles.

GM collects, shares driver data without consent, class actions say

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against GM last month over claims the automaker and OnStar unlawfully collects driver data and shares it with data analytics company Lexis-Nexis Risk Solutions, who then sells it to car insurance companies. 

The class action lawsuit argues GM and OnStar, which, along with Lexis-Nexis, is named as a defendant in the complaint, collected drivers’ data without their full knowledge and that auto insurers use the data to justify premium increases. 

“The net result is every entity in this clandestine series of transactions is profiting from the sale of drivers’ data, while drivers themselves not only do not see a penny from the sale of their own data, but often see their insurance quotes or premiums inexplicably go up, “ the GM class action states. 

A consumer filed a separate but similar class action lawsuit against GM, OnStar and Lexis-Nexis last month arguing GM and OnStar collect driving data without permission and share it with the latter. 

The class action lawsuit argues the data is so “decontextualized that it can hardly be called accurate” yet auto insurers use it anyway. 

“Insurance companies rely upon these consumer reports to determine pricing or flatly reject a potential customer, as has happened here,” the GM class action states. 

Class action claims GM equipped Chevrolet Camaro vehicles with hackable key fobs 

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against GM earlier this month over claims it manufactured model year 2010 and newer Chevrolet Camaro vehicles with hackable key fobs that leave the vehicles vulnerable to theft. 

The class action lawsuit argues the key fobs use unsecure commercial radio waves that hackers can intercept, allowing them to trick the car into believing a genuine key fob is in close proximity. 

“Consequently, within a matter of 20-30 seconds, the intercepted signal can be utilized to unlock the car and start the ignition,” the GM class action states. 

The consumer cites tutorial videos and tips posted to the internet that they argue show how to gain access and start the Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. 

GM expands GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado recall over tailgate issue

In March, GM expanded an existing recall to include almost 250,000 more pickup trucks. The automaker initiated the recall over concerns the pickup trucks contain a tailgate issue that can increase the risk of a crash. 

The recall now includes more than 570,000 vehicles, including 311,368 model year 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 and 259,066 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles. 

GM initiated the recall over concerns water can get into the tailgates of the vehicles and short circuit their electronic gate-release switch, causing the tailgate to inadvertently unlatch while the vehicle is in park. 

Have you been injured by GM or affected by a GM recall? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Mazda class action alleges some vehicles have engine coolant leakage defect
• Ford recall announced over Bronco fuel injector defect
• Kia class action alleges automaker collects, shares driver data without consent
• Tesla class action claims automaker refuses to honor battery warranty