Bolt

Recall: GM Expands Chevy Bolt Recall To All Vehicles Due To Fire Risk

General Motors is recalling even more Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles including the model years 2017-2022 due to possible battery cell defects that could increase the risk of fire. 

The automaker said it was recalling Bolts from the 2020 through 2022 model years and a few 2019 Bolts that were not covered under a previous recall. In the new announcement all 141,000 Bolts that G.M. has produced — going back to the 2017 model — are under recall.

The recall expansion is going to cost the automaker an additional $1 billion, bringing the total to $1.8 billion to replace potentially defective battery modules in the vehicles.

GM also said it will notify customers when replacement parts are ready.

  • In the meantime, GM is asking affected Bolt EV owners to set their vehicles to a 90% state of charge limitation using Hilltop Reserve mode (for 2017-2018 model years) or Target Charge Level (for 2019 model year) mode.
  • GM also is asking owners to avoid depleting their battery below approximately 70 miles of remaining range and, as it advised last week, continue to not park their vehicles inside or charge them unattended overnight “out of an abundance of caution.”

“In rare circumstances, the batteries supplied to GM for these vehicles may have two manufacturing defects — a torn anode tab and folded separator — present in the same battery cell, which increases the risk of fire,” the automaker said in a news release

The new recall affects an additional 59,392 model year 2019-2022 vehicles which weren’t included in the last recall announcement in November 2020 and July 2021.  NHTSA is aware of the issue and opened an investigation (PE 20-016) in October 2020, and continues to evaluate the recall remedies and reported incidents, including fires.

What’s Next?

If you are an automobile owner and having manufacturing issues, you can contact us for a class-action lawsuit. Serious car problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.  http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/

At The Lemon Firm, our experienced attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you. Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the Volkswagen class action above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle.  

Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) Lemon-Firm.  The first consultation is free and we can take your case on a contingency fee, meaning that you will not pay a cent unless our experienced attorneys recover money for you.  Call us today!

General Motors law

Another General Motors Class Action Lawsuit Says Vehicles Can’t Be Shut Off – Shift to Park Issue

Yet another Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against GM, this time for the ‘Shift To Park’ Issue In Chevy Malibu, Blazer, Traverse, And Volt models.

The GM Shift to Park lawsuit alleges certain GM vehicles fail to detect when the gear selector has been shifted into Park, and the driver cannot shut the vehicle off.

  •     2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu
  •     2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt
  •     2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse
  •     2019 Chevrolet Blazer

According to the GM class-action lawsuit, these vehicles fail to detect they are shifted into PARK which prevents vehicles from shutting off and locking. Typically, a ‘Shift to Park’ warning message will appear on the driver instrument panel when this happens. The driver can jiggle and or wiggle the gear shifter in order to remedy the issue, although this technique does not always work.

Below are the complaints filed by drivers:

“So when you spend this kind of money on a vehicle you expect it to hold up for several years. This car is barely a year old and for the last month, I have been dealing with my SUV not recognizing when it is in park. What that means is, the vehicle will not shut off and I can not lock it and walk away. I have to sit and jiggle the gear shifter like a mad woman until it decides to recognize that it is indeed in park.” — 2018 Chevrolet Traverse owner

“Vehicle does not turn off after shifting to park. The car does not detect park mode and driver has to ‘jiggle’ shift knob.” — 2018 Chevrolet Volt owner

This class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan by three plaintiffs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maryland, Car Complaints reports.

This isn’t the first time General Motors has been sued over the seemingly prevalent ‘Shift to Park’ defect. A band of GMC Acadia owners sued the automaker over the issue back in 2019 and two other similar lawsuits were filed in May and August of last year.

GM Shift to Park Technical Service Bulletins

The Shift to Park lawsuit alleges General Motors knows about the problem and has issued several technical service bulletins to dealerships regarding vehicles with Shift to Park messages.

  • January 9, 2017 (TSB PIC6244) — “Diagnostic Aid For Vehicles With Shift To Park Message And All DTCs P1AEE P1AEF P1AF0 P1AF2 P1E22.”
  • December 5, 2017 (TSB PIE0441) — “Engineering Information – Shift to Park Message Displayed.”
  • December 1, 2018 (TSB 18-NA-297) — “Message Displaying Shift to Park when in Park.”
  • September 2019 (TSB 19NA206) — “Intermittent Shift to Park Message Displayed While Vehicle in Park.”

Final Thoughts

If you are an automobile owner and having manufacturing issues, you can contact us for a class-action lawsuit. Serious car problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.  http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/

At The Lemon Firm, our experienced attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you. Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the Volkswagen class action above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle.  Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) 536-6634.  The first consultation is free and we can take your case on a contingency fee, meaning that you will not pay a cent unless our experienced attorneys recover money for you.  Call us today!

GM motors

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Recalls For Jack Defect and Other GM Recalls

General Motors is recalling the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Buick Encore GX model vehicles years 2021-22 because the emergency jack can break while a driver is using it. GM estimates it will start notifying vehicle owners on July 26 and around 135,400 units will be recalled.

The issue was discovered when a GM test driver reported a broken jack during a durability test on a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, according to a safety recall report filed with NHTSA. If not positioned as recommended by the vehicle manual, the jack could fracture. 

If the jack fractures while in use, the vehicle could collapse, injuring people near or under the vehicle, according to a safety bulletin filed with NHTSA. GM opened an investigation in April and identified 21 claims alleging the jack failed in the field.

The automaker says dealers will swap in a replacement jack made of metal. In the meantime, GM plans to remove the recalled plastic jack from undelivered vehicles.

“Material used in a sensor connection in the electronic brake boost system in these vehicles may have been contaminated during the material supplier’s production process,” Chevrolet spokesman Kevin Kelly confirmed to Motor Authority. “Contamination of this material may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor and the brake boost system under certain conditions.”

Conformed 4 Safety Recalls For Chevrolet Trailblazer

There are 4 safety issues found in these vehicles, you can check the details below.

Equipment

Recall date: 2021-06-10 | Recall no.21V440000

General Motors is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner’s manual, can fracture while in use. GM’s number for this recall is A212335470.

Service brakes

Recall date: 2020-09-24 | Recall no.20V588000

General Motors is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. The extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. GM’s number for this recall is A202307260.

Seats

Recall date: 2020-09-03 | Recall no.20V537000

General Motors is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant. GM’s number for this recall is A202304380

Tires, equipment

Recall date: 2020-05-21 | Recall no.20V295000

General Motors is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. If drivers are uninformed and overinflate or underinflate their tires, this may increase the risk of a crash. GM’s number for this recall is A202304070

At The Lemon Firm, our experienced attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle that did not perform as intended and we can do the same for you. Contact us for a free consultation today if you have experienced problems like those experienced by the GM Recalls above or any other types of design or manufacturing defects with your vehicle.  Our experienced attorneys can be reached by calling (833) 536-6634.  The first consultation is free and we can take your case on a contingency fee, meaning that you will not pay a cent unless our experienced attorneys recover money for you.  Call us today!

Ignition Switch

GM Faces Lawsuit Regarding Ignition Switch

General Motors is facing several lawsuits concerning defective ignition switches in several models. The defect causes the engine to suddenly shut off, ultimately cutting off the car’s power while in motion.

Back in 2014, GM began recalling 2.6 million vehicles due to these ignition switch problems. Apparently, some GM insiders were aware of the problem as early as 2001, 13 years before the recall was issued. Affected drivers and their families are going after GM for personal injuries and wrongful deaths related to the defective ignition switches. As a result, GM has paid out nearly $7 billion in recall-related costs, but is fighting against the injury and death suits, claiming that the defective switches were not the cause of the crashes. To avoid unnecessary exposure, the automaker is also settling cases outside of court.

How Did the Ignition Switch Go Wrong?

When a driver starts the car, the ignition switch activates the vehicle’s electrical system. Normally, the ignition switch will remain in the “on” position when the car is running. However, in a defective ignition switch, the “detent plunger” part was made to improper specifications, allowing the switch to slip to the “ACC” position when the key is accidentally struck, or on rough terrain. At this point, the vehicle’s engine, power steering, anti-lock brake system, and airbags are disabled. It goes without saying that this can lead to extremely dangerous consequences: a driver can lose control of the vehicle and safety systems, including the airbag, can fail to function properly. Over 124 people were injured and 275 people were killed due to these defective switches.

Instead of issuing a recall right away in 2001, GM instead issued a “service bulletin” to its dealers in 2005. The automaker also withheld information from federal authorities that may have led to a recall much sooner. Ultimately, when GM issued the recall in 2014, the Department of Transportations issued a $35 million fine for failure to report a safety defect in a timely manner and, the Department of Justice issued a $900 million fine for concealing a potentially deadly defect. GM’s CEO responded by blaming the delayed recall on a “cost culture” and claimed the automaker was working hard to improve its safety culture. While GM paid $575 million to victims of ignition switch crashes via a compensation fund, less than 10% of people who made claims to the fund actually received payment.

What Can I Do if My GM is Equipped With a Defective Ignition Switch?

Ultimately, you may be eligible to file a GM ignition switch lawsuit if:

  • You were injured in a crash involving a faulty GM ignition switch
  • You lost a loved one in an ignition switch crash
  • You own a vehicle with a defective ignition switch that depreciated in value as a result of the recall
  • You did accept payment through the GM compensation fund

If you are driving a GM vehicle equipped with a potentially defective ignition switch, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent any further complications. The attorneys at CCA are very knowledgeable about the defective ignition switches in GM vehicles discussed above and will work with you to fight back against the automaker.

Please do not hesitate to call CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. We’ll get you the compensation you deserve – and at no cost to you!

GM infotainment

GM Infotainment System Lawsuit

By: Nicole Halavi

General Motors (GM), in recent years,has received numerous complaints concerning electronic and infotainment system defects in various models. In light of the recent complaints regarding GM’s infotainment system, a class-action lawsuit has been filed alleging that some GM models are equipped with a defective IOR 7-inch radio, which has led to a sudden increase in sound volume. Ultimately, this becomes a safety problem as it can be distracting to a driver.

CCA is here to help if your GM manufactured vehicle has exhibited any faults in the infotainment system. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What Are the Issues in the GM Infotainment System that Resulted in a Class Action Lawsuit?

A recent class-action lawsuit concerning GM’s infotainment system alleges a defect in the radio system that triggers a sudden volume spike. This can act as a distraction to the driver and result in potentially fatal accidents. The lawsuit further expands on Bluetooth issues, a faulty rearview camera, and defective display screens that spontaneously goes dark.

Here is a list of the recent models that are equipped with faulty infotainment systems:

  • 2019 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2019 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • 2019 GMC Canyon
  • 2019 GMC Sierra 1500
  • 2020 Chevrolet Blazer
  • 2020 Chevrolet Camaro
  • 2020 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
  • 2020 Chevrolet Trax
  • 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • 2020 Chevrolet 2500HD
  • 2020 Chevrolet 3500HD
  • 2020 GMC Canyon
  • 2020 GMC Terrain
  • 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
  • 2020 GMC 2500HD
  • 2020 GMC 3500HD

After numerous complaints, General Motors issued several technical bulletins to dealerships and introduced a software update. However, the update only eliminated the volume problems but not the spike issue. According to the lawsuit, GM has not issued any updates to resolve the volume spike problem. Also, GM owners complain that dealers refuse to refuse to replace or repair defective infotainment systems. 

As for the faulty rearview display, users allege the display image remains on the screen for 30-50 seconds even after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse mode. Another issue mentioned in the lawsuit is regarding the Bluetooth system. When the vehicle receives a call through the Bluetooth system, the ringer does not turn off throughout the call’s duration, causing the driver to become distracted and, simply making it impossible to make use of the Bluetooth feature.

The plaintiffs of the lawsuit state that the automakers have yet to find a solution to the issue, but are not even willing to issue a recall for the defective models. 

What Can I Do if My GM Manufactured Vehicle Suffers Repeat Issues?

If you face any trouble with the infotainment system installed in your GM vehicle, such as a faulty rearview camera, a defected display, Bluetooth issues, or sudden volume spikes, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent further complications. At CCA, our lawyers are well aware of the defective infotainment system’s issues in the GM manufactured vehicles and can help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned issues with your vehicle, do not hesitate to contact our experts for a free consultation at: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

Joe and Ruby A. v. Ford Motor Company

Los Angeles County

Our clients, Joe and Ruby A. owned a 2008 Ford F-250, which Joe used as a work truck. Unfortunately, the truck developed a series of serious engine problems that Ford Motor Company and its dealerships were unable to fix. The vehicle would regularly misfire, crank and not start, stall, and suffered from both coolant and oil leaks. Ultimately, our attorneys were able to resolve the matter with Ford Motor Company for over two and a half times what Joe and Ruby paid for their truck. Of course, as part of the settlement, Ford Motor Company also paid all of Joe and Ruby’s lawyer’s bills.