GM Class Action: Trucks, SUVs Have Defective Air Conditioning System

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General Motors Company and related entities have been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging they concealed the existence and nature of an air conditioning system defect that affected some of their pickup trucks and full-size SUVs.

The vehicles named in the GM air conditioning system defect class action lawsuit include:

• 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
• 2015-2017 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2015-2017 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2014-2017 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2015-2016 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty

“Not only did Defendants design, manufacture, market and distribute the Class Vehicles with a defective air conditioning system, but it own documents show that General Motors was aware of the Class Defect and neither warned prospective customers nor alerted those who had already purchased or leased Class Vehicles to the problem,” plaintiffs William Taylor and Hayes Ellis allege in the GM class action lawsuit.

According to the GM class action lawsuit, Ellis purchased a new 2014 GMC Sierra in March 2014 and Taylor purchased a new 2015 GMC Sierra in October 2014. They both claim their vehicles experienced the air conditioning system defect outside of their warranty period, which left them unable to obtain reimbursement for their significant repair costs.

The plaintiffs allege they would not have purchased their GM vehicles, or would have paid less for them, if they had known about the air conditioning system defect.

“The defect in Class Vehicles is that components of the air conditioning system fail during normal, everyday use, allowing the refrigerant to leak out,” the GM air conditioning defect class action lawsuit alleges. “The absence of refrigerant prevents the evaporator from becoming cold, causing the system to blow hot air into the car’s passenger compartment and, in some cases causing other parts of the system to fail.”

According to the GM class action lawsuit, the air conditioning system defect may occur if the aluminum tube disconnects from the rubber hose in the line leading from the compressor to the condenser or if the aluminum tube ruptures, allowing refrigerant to escape. The plaintiffs also allege that a defect exists in the condenser itself, which they claim renders it unable to withstand normal operation of the Class Vehicles.

Not only does the air conditioning system defect affect the comfort of drivers and passengers, it can also pose a safety hazard, especially during the summer. The plaintiffs point to several online complaints from vehicle owners who claim their health and safety was put at risk when their vehicles’ air conditioning system failed.

The GM class action lawsuit brings asserts claims for violations of the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, unjust enrichment, constructive fraud, and violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

The plaintiffs are represented by Logan M. Jones of Jones Brown PLLC; Richard Schechter of Law Office of Richard Schechter PC; Charles Clinton Hunter and Dennis C. Reich of Reich & Binstock LLP; and by Ernest “Bo” Hopmann III of Law Office of Ernest O. Hopmann III.

The GM Air Conditioning Defect Class Action Lawsuit is William Taylor, et al. v. General Motors Company, Case No. 5:18-cv-00215-M, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.