GM Class Action Alleges Engine Defect in 2010-2013 GMC, Chevrolet Autos

A class action lawsuit filed against General Motors alleges that 2010 through 2013 vehicles with “Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 engines” are defective. The complaint asserts that “the piston rings, PVC system, and Active Fuel Management (‘AFM’) System used in the Class Vehicle’s engines were defective causing excessive oil consumption, premature spark plug degradation, and engine malfunction.”

Vehicles covered by the complaint include 2010-2013 models of the:

• Chevrolet Avalanche,
• Chevrolet Express 1500,
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500,
• Chevrolet Suburban,
• Chevrolet Tahoe,
• Chevrolet Colorado,
• GMC Yukon,
• GMC Yukon XL,
• GMC Sierra 1500,
• GMC Savana 1500, and the
• GMC Canyon.

The GM oil consumption class action lawsuit states that oil is necessary for a car engine, but can be disastrous if it gets inside the combustion cylinder. The complaint notes that auto manufacturers use several items, including “valve guide seals and piston rings” to keep this from happening. According to the complaint, that is because if the seals fail, “it results in a loss of lubrication throughout the engine which, in addition to destroying the engine, may cause loss of power during acceleration, white or other colored smoke to be emitted from the exhaust, and the vehicle entering a ‘safe mode’ where the engine may suddenly shut-off or run improperly until the issue can be addressed by a mechanic.”

This is exactly what happens to the defective General Motors automobiles, the class action contends. The complaint asserts that first, defective piston rings allow oil to enter the engine’s combustion chamber, where it should not be. Second, the PCV system is in a defective location, also allowing oil into the combustion chambers. And third, a defect in the AFM system allows oil to gather in cylinders when they are not in use. The class action claims that these problems were made even worse by GM’s “oil life monitoring system,” which supposedly tracks oil consumption and tells drivers when they need to get a car’s oil changed.

Plaintiff Bradley Zierke states that he bought a new 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. Zierke claims that he has to put oil into his vehicle every 1,000 to 1,500 miles, has had to replace spark plugs three times, and after only 87,000 miles he had to replace the entire engine. The complaint asserts that Zierke would not have purchased the truck had he known the truth about the oil defect.

Affected vehicles include the 2010-2013 models of the Chevrolet Avalanche, Express 1500, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, and Colorado, and the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra 1500, Savana 1500, and the Canyon.

The class action alleges that GM knew of these defects, and corrected the issues for 2014 model vehicles. The complaint notes that General Motors issued “at least seven Technical Service Bulletins from 2010-2013 to address Class Vehicles’ excessive oil consumption.” The class action asserts that despite this knowledge, and that the engine defects should have been covered by GM’s warranty, the auto manufacturer has failed to issue a recall or otherwise address consumers’ concerns.

The oil consumption defect lawsuit requests certification of a class of all people in the US who either currently own or lease a General Motors vehicle affected by the oil defect, or previously owned or leased such a vehicle and had to pay for extra maintenance or repairs. The class seeks restitution and damages, as well as an injunction stopping the unlawful conduct by GM.

Zierke is represented by David H. Grounds and Timothy J. Backer of Johnson Becker, PLLC.

The General Motors Oil Consumption Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Bradley K. Zierke v. General Motors LLC, et al., Case No. 0:16-cv-04170, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.