GM Sued Over Alleged Faulty Corvette Wheels
» Posted May 15, 2019 • Resources | Share This Post
A new class action lawsuit against General Motors is bringing new meaning to the phrase “hot set of wheels.”
A group of Corvette owners is suing GM over what they say is a defect in their cars wheels, which can cause them to crack as a result of minimal wear and tear. They are seeking to sue on behalf of all owners and lessors of Corvette 2015-2019 Zo6 models and 2017-2019 Grand Sport cars.
The cars “are equipped with wheels (a.k.a., rims) that warp, bend and crack, necessitating costly repairs and replacements, lawyers for the owners said in a complaint filed in a federal court in California. “In addition, cracked rims can puncture the tires, causing air leaks and tire blowouts.”
A Corvette owner who filed the suit says GM unlawfully concealed the defects. Car Complaints points out that the owner of a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport also complained about wheel problems to the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission. That driver told the government agency that he had to replace the wheels on this car after less than 1,000 miles.
The company has refused to replace or repair the defective wheels under a three-year, “bumper to bumper warranty,” according to the complaint.
“Although GM was sufficiently aware of the Rim Defect from pre- production testing, design failure mode analysis, calls to its customer service hotline, and customer complaints made to dealers, this knowledge and information was exclusively in the possession of GM and its network of dealers and, therefore, unavailable to consumers,” the owners allege in the complaint.
How the California Lemon Law Works
The GM case is an unfortunate reminder that many new cars come with serious defects that can put everyone on the road at risk. While many car manufacturers offer “comprehensive” warranties, they do not always live up to the promise to repair problems with the vehicle when they actually happen.
That’s where the California lemon law comes in. The state law obligates a car maker to perform certain repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. If the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to do the repairs, it is required under the law to take the car back. The manufacturer also has to reimburse the owner or lessor of the vehicle for the purchase price and financing charges, as well as other related expenses. The car maker can instead offer to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to take that option.
How a California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help
The California lemon law lawyers at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. We are dedicated to helping the people we represent get the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
