Did you know over 800,000 vehicle owners are in a big legal fight with General Motors? They say GM hid serious problems with their eight-speed automatic transmissions. These issues affect thousands of cars made from 2015 to March 1, 2019.
These problems cause harsh and sudden shifts, making driving risky. This lawsuit is big news in the world of car safety and legal battles. It’s a major case that’s getting a lot of attention from both consumers and legal experts.
Key Takeaways
- Over 800,000 vehicle owners are part of the GM lawsuit.
- The lawsuit targets GM’s eight-speed automatic transmissions (8L90 and 8L45).
- Vehicles manufactured between 2015 and March 1, 2019, are affected.
- The lawsuit claims GM knew about and concealed transmission defects.
- Safety concerns include harsh, unexpected shifts while driving.
- This is a significant product liability case in the automotive industry.
The Background of the GM Lawsuit
Customers claim General Motors knew about transmission problems and safety risks in their cars. They say GM didn’t tell customers about the risk of transmissions shuddering or shifting violently while driving. This led to big legal actions to fix consumer issues and ensure honesty.
Introduction to the Case
At the heart of the lawsuit, it’s said GM knew their transmissions were a problem. These faulty transmissions made driving unsafe, causing unexpected car behavior. Consumers noticed these problems, leading to an investigation into GM’s honesty and safety checks. It’s key for car owners to know about the lawsuit to make smart choices.
Initial Complaints and Investigation
Many consumers filed complaints about their car’s transmissions. They talked about a shudder or violent shifts, which made GM look into the issue. The 6th Circuit Court’s yes to class certification was a big step. They found common fraud claims across different places. This shows how big the case against GM is.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Transmission Defects Reported | Shuddering and violent shifts |
| GM Transparency Issues | Lack of customer notification |
| 6th Circuit Court Decision | Affirmation of class certification |
| Consumer Fraud Elements | Consistent across jurisdictions |
Transmission Defects and Safety Concerns
Recent updates in the GM class-action lawsuit have brought to light major Transmission Defects and Safety Concerns. The faulty GM 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions cause serious issues like hesitation, lurching, and jerking, especially in higher gears. These problems affect how the car performs and can be dangerous for drivers and passengers.
Details of the Defective Transmissions
The GM 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions are at the heart of this issue. Drivers have seen sudden stops and unpredictable shifts. These issues cause a “startling effect” on drivers, which is risky at high speeds. These problems hurt the car’s performance and raise big safety concerns.
Impact on Vehicle Performance
Good vehicle performance is key for safe and smooth driving. The alleged defects in GM’s 8L90 and 8L45 transmissions seriously harm this. Issues like hesitating acceleration and jerky movements make the car hard to handle and unreliable. These problems are not just annoying but also raise serious safety concerns, leading to legal action by drivers across the country.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
The GM class-action lawsuit has seen many changes in its legal journey. A big update was when the 6th Circuit Court turned down GM’s appeal.
GM argued that many plaintiffs should go to arbitration instead of being in a class-action lawsuit. They claimed these arbitration agreements meant no need for a class-action suit. But, the court looked closely and said GM didn’t properly bring up the arbitration issue before.
This court decision was a key moment in the lawsuit. It shows how crucial it is to file things correctly at each step. Now, the main focus is on the core of the case and other appeals coming up.
GM’s efforts in these legal battles are being watched closely. Each update on the lawsuit reveals more about its complexity. The court’s decision to reject GM’s appeal means they’re sticking to the law and looking at each claim carefully.
Everyone is keeping an eye on these legal steps and any future appeals. These events are crucial for the GM class-action lawsuit’s outcome. The courts’ detailed review highlights the importance of following the law and the thorough process in big legal cases.
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Updates on GM Lawsuit
The GM lawsuit has seen many legal steps and updates. The latest news has big effects on the case.
Recent Court Decisions
Recent court decisions have backed the consumer fraud claims against General Motors. They rejected GM’s main arguments against the class-certification. This is a big win for the plaintiffs, showing their claims are valid.
Current Status of the Lawsuit
Now, lawyers from Cohen Milstein have added more states to the lawsuit. This shows they’re keeping up the fight against GM. The lawsuit’s status is always changing, showing the effort of consumers and their lawyers for justice.
Involvement of Cohen Milstein and Other Law Firms
The firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll leads the class-action lawsuit against GM for faulty transmissions. They are known for their strong advocacy in big cases. They have a solid track record of fighting for consumer rights, making them key in this lawsuit.
Role of Lead Counsel
Ted Leopold, a partner at Cohen Milstein, is the Sole Lead Counsel. He has a lot of experience and is fully committed to the case. He is leading the legal fight to make GM take responsibility for the transmission problems.
Collaborating Law Firms
Other top law firms have also joined to help the consumers. These include Berger Montague PC and Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check LLP, among others. They all aim to get justice for GM car owners affected by these issues.
- Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll – Sole Lead Counsel
- Berger Montague PC – Collaborating firm
- Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check LLP – Collaborating firm
- Other Participating Firms
Affected GM Vehicle Models
General Motors (GM) has faced a lot of criticism because of faulty transmissions in many of their popular cars and trucks. These issues affect a wide range of models and brands, making things worse for customers.
The Cadillac Escalade, a top luxury SUV, is one of the models with transmission problems. Many Chevrolet models also face these issues. The Chevrolet Silverado, known for its strong performance, has left owners dealing with transmission troubles.
Similar problems are found in the GMC lineup, affecting the GMC Sierra. This model is known for its strength and reliability. The Sierra has many complaints, adding to the list of troubled GM vehicles.
Other models like the Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro, Colorado, GMC Yukon Denali, and Canyon are also affected. Each of these vehicles is popular in different ways, making the transmission issue a big problem for GM.
- Cadillac Escalade
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Chevrolet Colorado
- GMC Sierra
- GMC Yukon Denali
- GMC Canyon
Understanding the impact of these transmission issues on models like the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra shows the size of GM’s legal trouble. These models cover a wide range, from luxury SUVs to tough trucks. They are key to GM’s success and customer trust.
Rights and Options for Affected Consumers
As the GM class-action lawsuit moves forward, it’s important for affected consumers to know their rights and options. Understanding what you’re entitled to and how to join the lawsuit can help you get the compensation you need for your faulty GM vehicle. This guide will walk you through how to join the class-action lawsuit and what compensation you might get.
How to Join the Class-Action Lawsuit
If your car has a faulty GM transmission, you can join the class-action lawsuit. You’ll need to provide proof that your vehicle is one of the affected models. Law firms like Cohen Milstein are working with a large group of plaintiffs. They’ve added more cases to cover even more consumers. Joining means you’ll be part of a strong case that fights for all affected car owners.
Expected Compensation
Consumers are worried about the compensation they might get. Possible compensation could cover repair costs, reimburse for your car’s lower value, or even a new vehicle. The aim is to make sure you’re fairly compensated for the loss and trouble caused by the faulty transmissions. As the lawsuit goes on, we’ll learn more about what compensation to expect.
By keeping up with your rights and joining the class-action lawsuit against GM, you’re taking an active part in seeking justice for the faulty transmissions. Always follow updates and advice from your legal team for the best chance of a positive outcome.
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Rocky Horton
Author
Rocky Horton is a health and safety expert from Chapel Hill, NC. He is the founder of AccidentAdvisor and has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, and other publications. Learn more.
