General Motors, LLC makes Chevrolet and GMC vehicles that the complaint for this class action alleges have paint with a latent defect. The complaint alleges that the paint, and possibly the clear coating, begin “to peel and delaminate without any external or environmental influence.” The paint may also have been improperly applied, the complaint suggests, and GM will not pay for repainting.
The class for this action is all consumer residents of the US who own, owned, lease, or leased a class vehicle. Florida and Tennessee Subclasses have also been defined, for those in the above class in Florida and Tennessee, respectively. The class vehicles are the following:
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon XL
- 2015-2019 GMC Sierra
One of the four plaintiffs in this case, Heather Shrum, bought the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe in 2016 that came with a three-year, 36,000-mile limited warranty. The complaint alleges, “One of the main and important reasons for Shrum selecting her Class Vehicle was the paint which [GM] touted extensively as superior, of professional grade, and containing a clear coat which protected her Class Vehicle.”
In late 2019, the complaint alleges, “Shrum noticed what appeared to be discoloration, microblistering, and delamination of the clear coat on her Class Vehicle.” An image of the hood of her vehicle appears above.
Shrum keeps the vehicle in her garage, not out in the open, the complaint says, and it has never been exposed to any airborne or environmental influences that might have corroded the paint. It has never been in a wreck and the complaint asserts that it has only factory original paint.
Shrum took the vehicle in to Gordon Chevrolet, which the complaint alleges priced a repainting of the hood only at more than $1,500, because the repair would require it to “strip bad paint.”
According to the complaint, Gordon would not repair or replace the hood under the warranty and suggested she speak to GM. The complaint displays a screenshot of a message from GM saying that “GM is unable to provide any cost assistance regarding this matter.” The complaint alleges that the paint on Shrum’s vehicle has only gotten worse since then.
The complaint alleges, “Today, to repair and repaint Shrum’s Class Vehicle, she would have to pay more than $10,000. Repainting the car would require sanding the vehicle to the metal and would substantially depreciate the value of the vehicle. There is no short cut—the Class Vehicles must be sanded and repainted.”
The other plaintiffs’ stories are similar. The complaint also quotes a number of online postings from customers who had similar experiences with the vehicles at issue.
The complaint alleges that GM knew about the paint defect before it sold the vehicles, but did not warn consumers who might purchase them. It claims that GM engaged in fraudulent concealment of the defect.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Automobile
Most Recent Case Event
Chevrolet and GMC Vehicles Defective Paint Complaint
March 9, 2022
General Motors, LLC makes Chevrolet and GMC vehicles that the complaint for this class action alleges have paint with a latent defect. The complaint alleges that the paint, and possibly the clear coating, begin “to peel and delaminate without any external or environmental influence.” The paint may also have been improperly applied, the complaint suggests, and GM will not pay for repainting.
Chevrolet and GMC Vehicles Defective Paint ComplaintCase Event History
Chevrolet and GMC Vehicles Defective Paint Complaint
March 9, 2022
General Motors, LLC makes Chevrolet and GMC vehicles that the complaint for this class action alleges have paint with a latent defect. The complaint alleges that the paint, and possibly the clear coating, begin “to peel and delaminate without any external or environmental influence.” The paint may also have been improperly applied, the complaint suggests, and GM will not pay for repainting.
Chevrolet and GMC Vehicles Defective Paint Complaint