GM Faces Class Action Over Alleged Corvette Engine Defect

A group of Corvette owners filed a putative class action lawsuit against automotive giant General Motors on Wednesday. The class action lawsuit claims that Corvettes in model years 2006 through 2014 have faulty valve guides that wear excessively, causing engine failure and costly repairs.

The plaintiffs allege that GM is aware of the problems but has failed to remedy the situation. In fact, the Corvette class action lawsuit alleges that GM devised a test to specifically investigate the valve guides. Known as the “wiggle method,” the test reportedly aimed to identify valve guides that did not meet specification requirements.

However, when GM tested vehicles with this method, many cars had valve guides that were out of specification, according to the Corvette engine defect class action lawsuit. When the cars were failing the test in such high proportions, GM allegedly abandoned the test.

“When GM determined that its adopted test would lead to more repair and investigations than it wished to perform, the test was summarily rejected,” the Corvette class action lawsuit says. “In dealing with multiple complaints concerning the subject engine in the class vehicles, GM acted, at all times, to deflect criticisms, defer investigations and repairs, and minimized the extent of the problems.”

Not only did the plaintiffs allege that GM withdrew their valve guide test, they also allege that GM did not attempt to issue a recall after being made aware that there was a valve guide defect. Instead, the Corvette class action lawsuit alleges, GM maintained that the valve train noise that was made by the valve guides was simply a feature of the engine, not a result of a mechanical defect.

When GM did admit to some issues with the faulty engine construction, the Corvette class action lawsuit alleges that the auto manufacturer said the faulty valve guides came from a certain supplier during a short period of time, between July 2008 and March 2009.

The Corvette class action lawsuit lodges a total of 72 counts against GM for their allegedly faulty valve guides and their poor response in addressing the problem in the vehicles. Claims include violations of the RICO and Magnuson-Moss Acts, breaches of implied warranty, fraud, negligence and unjust enrichment.

The 7.0 liter V8 engine used in both the Chevrolet Corvette 427 and Chevrolet Z06 model cars from 2006 to 2014 were durable, high quality engines, according to the Corvette class action lawsuit. However, the plaintiffs argue the defective design of the engine components has led the engine to become inclined to experiencing mechanical failure.

Inspections and repairs of the alleged Corvette engine defect have been costly to plaintiffs, the class action lawsuit claims. Older cars with high miles were not the only targets of valve guide defects, as the issues were seen in newer model years and in vehicles with low mileage.

The plaintiffs seek to represent a nationwide Class of individuals who purchased, owned or leased a Class Vehicle from 2006 until the present. The Class Vehicles include Chevy Corvette 427 or Corvette Z06 models with 7.0 liter V8 engines. Subclasses for the proposed class action lawsuit would include state-wide classes for each state and the District of Columbia that meet the same criteria as the nationwide Class.

The plaintiffs estimate that approximately 28,000 vehicles would be affected by the Corvette engine defect class action lawsuit nationwide.

The plaintiffs are represented by Andre E Jardini of Knapp Petersen and Clarke.

The Corvette Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Pilgrim, et al. v. General Motors Company LLC, Case No. 2:15-cv-08047, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.