California GM Lemon Lawyer

General Motors (GM) makes some of the most iconic and popular car models in California and across the United States with brands including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick. Unfortunately, General Motors has a poor track record when it comes to manufacturing reliable cars and having its dealerships properly repair warranty defects.

Paying for a car that General Motors’ dealerships are unable to properly repair can be a very frustrating experience. A substantial vehicle defect even can put your safety and the safety of others at risk. Fortunately, car owners and lessors in California have strong rights and protections under the California lemon law. If your vehicle has a warrantable defect that the dealerships have been unable to repair, you may be entitled to a refund.

Bickel Sannipoli APC is a firm devoted exclusively to the prosecution of California lemon law cases. In recent years, we have seen a surge of General Motors lemon law cases. A California GM lemon lawyer at our firm can help you take action to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

Are You Driving a GM Lemon?

To be considered a lemon under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, California’s lemon law, a car must suffer from a defect that substantially impacts the vehicle’ use, value or safety to the buyer. Whether a car suffers a substantial defect is determined for the perspective of the individual consumer under the California lemon law. 

In order to qualify, the General Motors-authorized dealerships must have also failed to properly repair the vehicle to warranty after having been given a reasonable opportunity.

A wide range of problems can qualify under the lemon law. Here are some of the most common issues reported by GM owners in California:

• Engine: GM cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles across models have suffered from engine issues that put the reliability of the vehicles and the safety of drivers and passengers at risk. Engine problems can cause vehicles to stop or stall unexpectedly, cause engine fires and result in your car being unsafe to drive. 
• Acceleration: Trouble with acceleration or the ability to maintain speeds makes cars harder to drive and can lead to accidents.
• Fuel pump: Failing and defective fuel pumps can cause engines to stall unexpectedly, posing a safety hazard.
• Transmission: Gears are a centerpiece of any well-constructed vehicle. Malfunctioning transmissions are a recipe for disaster on the road.
• Electrical: Problems with wiring and sensors can wreak havoc on cars, causing everything from power failures to fires. 
• Software: Software is increasingly an essential part of General Motors vehicles’ operation. Malfunctioning software can cause a multitude problems, from erratic dashboard controls to failing navigation and Bluetooth issues.
• Power steering: Drivers who report loss of power steering tend to say that it happens with little or no warning.
• Exhaust: Problems with exhaust systems often pose the risk of car fires, along with a number of other potential issues.
• Air Conditioning: Climate control and ventilation systems are particularly important when driving in hot and cold weather conditions. Those systems reportedly have failed in various GM models.

If you are experiencing warranty problems with your vehicle, you may have a lemon law claim. Talk with a California GM lemon lawyer at Bickel Sannipoli APC. We can evaluate your situation and give you an informed legal opinion about your rights and legal options.

Recent GM Car Recalls

General Motors has issued several safety recalls covering millions of vehicles in recent years.

Chevy Bolt Fires

The rollout of GM’s flagship electric vehicle, the Chevy Bolt, has been plagued with problems. That includes multiple recalls stemming from various defects that GM has said could cause the cars to go up in flames.

Many of the issues were related to defective lithium-ion battery packs in the vehicles. GM stopped making new Bolts for a time in 2021, after recalling essentially every single one of the EVs on the market over battery pack fire risks. A year later, the company called back some 120,000 Bolts over a separate seat belt problem that it said could result in fires in the event of crashes.

Meanwhile, federal investigators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are said to be investigating battery maker LG Energy Solutions over issues related to the Chevy Bolt and other electric car recalls.

Pickup Trucks’ Malfunctioning Tailgates

GM in 2024 announced that it was recalling more than 300,000 pickup trucks as a result of defective tailgates. The move covers certain Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles.

The recalled trucks’ tailgates could unexpectedly open while driving, the company said at the time. General Motors acknowledged tailgate malfunctions can create road safety hazards.

Exploding Airbags

GM and other major auto manufacturers have been grappling with defective Takata airbags for more than a decade. The safety devices may fail to deploy or rupture, potentially sending harmful shrapnel into the cabin. Several accidents and deaths have been linked to this problem.

GM has instructed dealers to remove and replace defective airbags. It also banned dealers from selling cars equipped with the defective airbags until the problem is fixed.

These are just some of the potential hazards facing GM owners and lessors. If you are experiencing these or other issues with your car and having trouble getting it adequately repaired, you are not alone.

Speak with a California GM Lemon Lawyer

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California GM lemon lawyer at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. Our lemon law lawyers offer free consultations for consumers across California.

A California GM lemon lawyer at our firm can help you understand your rights and take action. We are skilled negotiators, and many of our General Motors cases are resolved shortly after the complaint is filed. However, we are experienced trial attorneys should General Motors refuse to settle.

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California GM lemon lawyer and to learn how we can help you pursue your rights under the California lemon law.