General Motors, the company that owns and manufactures Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC branded vehicles, announced it is recalling close to 600,000 SUVs and pickup trucks due to the risk that engines may suffer from a sudden, catastrophic failure. Such a failure could result in a stall, increasing the risk of a serious accident.
According to the recall announcement, the connecting rod and crankshaft are the backbone of the engine responsible for powering certain vehicles. In the impacted GM SUVs and pickups, both parts were not manufactured properly, causing them to wear out prematurely. As a result, the engine may seize while driving.
Impacted GM vehicles include the following:
- 2021 – 2024 Cadillac Escalade
- 2021 – 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2021 – 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2021 – 2024 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2021 – 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021 – 2024 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2021 – 2024 GMC Yukon
- 2021 – 2024 GMC Yukon XL
The GM recall comes on the back of an ongoing investigation conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been over 28,000 complaints and roughly 14,000 allegations of “loss of propulsion” leading up to the recall announcement.
Is My Recalled GM Vehicle a Lemon?
Possibly. Under state lemon laws, a vehicle is generally considered a lemon when it has a recurring defect that isn’t repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, typically while under the manufacturer’s warranty.
What qualifies as “reasonable” will vary by state. Nevertheless, this term often encompasses repeated repairs for the same problem, lengthy time in the shop, or defects that create serious safety risks.
My Leased GM Vehicle Was Part of the Recall – Do I Qualify for a Lemon Law Claim?
Generally speaking, yes, leased vehicles can often be covered under applicable state Lemon Law, if they meet the state’s criterion for defects and repair attempts. Keeping detailed records of all problems and repairs is essential, as strong documentation is the key to a successful claim.
How Much Financial Restitution Can I Receive?
It depends on your specific circumstances. Lemon Law compensation varies from case to case, depending on the specific aspects of the claim. The ideal outcome is a Lemon Buyback, in which the manufacturer repurchases the vehicle from you. In a Lemon Buyback, you may be eligible to receive the following forms of financial restitution:
- Your full down payment
- All monthly payments for the vehicle
- Taxes related to the purchase
- Finance charges
- A pro-rated portion of your registration fees
You may also be eligible to receive compensation for towing fees, service costs (including parts), and car rental fees
The manufacturer will also pay off the balance of your loan and discharge it. There is a standard depreciation deduction for your use of the vehicle. Depreciation is calculated based on mileage when you first brought the vehicle in to repair a defect.
You may also be able to negotiate with the manufacturer to replace your lemon with another vehicle of equivalent or lesser value, essentially swapping your defective vehicle for one that works.
Take Action Today – Contact Bad Vehicle About Your GM Vehicle
If you own or lease a GM vehicle that exhibits persistent problems or has been into the dealership for more than 15 days, then you may have a viable state lemon law case. If you find yourself in this situation, contact Bad Vehicle to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation. We have represented numerous individuals against vehicle manufacturers, and car dealerships who have sold our clients’ lemon vehicles.