Some Chevy, GMC Trucks Are at Risk of Catching Fire
» Posted May 10, 2019 • Resources | Share This Post
Imagine hopping into your heavy duty truck on a cold winter morning, turning the key and watching as flames spark from underneath the hood.
General Motors is recalling some 325,000 diesel-engine trucks over concerns that they could catch fire. That is because of a problem with the engine block heater, a device that is supposed to make it easier to start the vehicles in cold weather.
“A short-circuit condition can cause damage to engine components and, in rare cases, start a fire in the engine compartment,” the company said in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The trucks are equipped with engine block heaters, which plug into an external outlet and are used to warm the engine before it starts. The cord and its connection are at risk of short circuiting, according to General Motors.
The trucks covered by the recall include the 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500. 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500, and 6500 commercial trucks are also subject to the recall.
The company said owners and lessors of affected trucks may notice smoke or a burning smell, damage to the engine block heater or that the block heater isn’t properly performing. General Motors appears to still be working on a solution to the problem, after notifying dealers in April.
California Car Owners, Lessors Have Legal Protections
Unfortunately, this isn’t the only vehicle defect that General Motors car owners and lessors are facing.
The company is facing a potential class action lawsuit from Corvette owners who say their rides are equipped with faulty wheels. The owners say those wheels are cracking and warping with minimal wear and tear.
And GM is not by far the only company dealing with recalls. Fiat Chrysler, for example, announced in February it was recalling some 800,000 cars that could be subject to steering loss and brake failure.
The good news for car owners and lessors in California is that state law offers some protections against defective vehicles. The California lemon law obligates car manufacturers to perform certain repairs to their vehicles while the cars are under warranty. It also forces the car maker to take the vehicle back and reimburse the owner or lessor in the event that repair attempts are not successful.
The law additionally requires the manufacturer to pick up the tab for any legal fees you incur while enforcing your rights. That allows car owners and lessors to pursue compensation under the lemon law without worrying about some of the associated costs.
Speak With a California Lemon Law Attorney
The California Lemon Law lawyers at the Bickel Law Firm have decades of combined legal experience and have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
