Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
Short Answer: As a consumer, you won’t receive compensation directly just because your Chevy is recalled. A recall will typically involve the manufacturer remedying the problem causing the defect. However, consumers who have presented their Chevy to an authorized dealer for multiple warrantied repairs may be able to file a lemon law claim against General Motors, LLC, the manufacturer.
In California, successfully bringing a lemon law claim will result in a vehicle refund or replacement from the manufacturer. Unlike a recall, this does provide compensation for the consumer. Continue reading to find out more about the differences between recalls and lemon law claims!
Get Compensated through the California Lemon Law
As mentioned, the California lemon law provides a way for consumers to be compensated for purchasing a defective vehicle. In California, lemon law claims are based on repeat repair attempts taking place while a vehicle is either under warranty or was delivered to the consumer within a year of the defect being discovered.
The law describes the number of attempts necessary as a “reasonable number.” In practice, this can be anywhere from two to four attempts. Otherwise, if a vehicle is out of use for 30 days due to repairs, it may also considered a lemon.
That 30-day period need not be consecutive, meaning two 15-day periods would satisfy the lemon requirement, and typically needs to take place within the first eighteen months or 18,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first.
After a consumer brings a successful lemon law claim against the manufacturer for their lemon vehicle, they will be offered a refund or a replacement of the defective vehicle.
In California, the manufacturer makes this choice for the consumer. A refund involves the consumer receiving a reimbursement of all money they spent on the vehicle.
This includes the down payment, monthly payments, fees, taxes, and interest. In a replacement, the consumer receives a vehicle of similar make and model to the defective one.
This tends to be a current-year car in most situations. In both cases, the manufacturer will deduct or charge a fee called the usage fee. This fee represents the time the consumer drove the vehicle without any problems and is based on the mileage at the first repair attempt for which the vehicle is deemed a lemon.
The following Chevy models have been recalled in the last two years. If your vehicle has been repaired repeat times to resolve a problem that was covered by a Chevy recall or other issue, you may be able to file a lemon law claim and receive a refund or cash compensation.
| Recalled Vehicle | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | $112,670 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | $118,445 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | $63,199 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | $73,645 |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | $91,115 |
| Chevrolet Silverado EV | $148,312 |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | $63,204 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | $86,628 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | $90,344 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | $76,270 |
| Chevrolet Trax | $39,410 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $50,759 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
2024 Chevy Recalls
Below is a list of ongoing Chevy recalls for the vehicles listed above. Each entry will end with the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) recall number, which can be used on the NHTSA’s website to find particular recalls here.
Incorrect Tire Installed, Pressure System Defective
A small number of 2024 Chevy Colorado vehicles had the wrong tires installed and experienced problems with the tire pressure monitoring system. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the impacted parts. The NHTSA recall number is 24V-366.
Insufficient Wire Insulation
A small number of 2024 Chevy Blazer EV and Silverado EV vehicles are being recalled for wires in the rear motor not having enough insulation on them, leading to a loss of power. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the rear drive unit. The NHTSA recall number is 24V-320.
Overtightened Bolts
A small number of 2023 Chevy Colorado vehicles had overtightened front hub bolts which may have been damaged when installed. The current remedy is replacement of the impacted parts. The NHTSA recall number is 24V-237.
Sudden Emergency Braking Activation
A large number of 2023 Chevy Colorado vehicles are suffering from a defect where the front camera will falsely detect an object, leading the automatic braking system to suddenly engage. The current remedy is updating the software of the detection system. The NHTSA recall number is 24V-133.
Weakened Seatbelts
A small number of 2024 Chevy Silverado EV vehicles are being recalled for having weakened seatbelts in the backseat row of the car. These seatbelts would potentially not be able to restrain a passenger effectively in the event of an accident. The current remedy is to not let any passengers sit in those spots and to have the faulty part replaced. The NHTSA recall number is 24V-087.
Tailgate Opening While Driving
A large number of 2020-2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles are being recalled for the electronic release switch of the tailgate malfunctioning and opening unexpectedly. The current remedy is to replace the exterior touchpad assembly. The NHTSA recall number is 24V-060.
2023 Chevy Recalls
Faulty Fuel Pump
A number of 2021 and 2022 Chevy Equinox vehicles are being recalled for their fuel pumps, which can sometimes fail to provide enough fuel to the engine and cause it to stall. The current remedy is a replacement fuel pump. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-013.
Rear Fuel Tank Collapse
A large number of 2017-2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles with the dual fuel tank option can have one of their rear fuel tanks collapse and fail to provide fuel to the engine. The current remedy is inspection and replacment of defective parts, as well as the installation of a vent hose. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-047.
Missing Retaining Ring
A small number of 2023 Chevy Traverse and Blazer vehicles may be missing a retaining ring on their left-side half-shaft assemblies. The current remedy is a replacement of the half-shaft assembly. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-042.
Faulty Transmission Gear
A number of 2023 Chevy Traverse and Blazer vehicles had their transmissions built with an incorrect gear, which can result in a shaft disengaging from the transmission. The current remedy is installing the correct gear. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-172.
Exploding Airbags
A large number of 2014-2017 Chevy Traverse vehicles may have a defect where the driver’s air bag inflator can explode during deployment, creating shrapnel. The current remedy is to replace the defective model. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-334.
Child Seat Installation Problem
A large number of 2020-2023 Chevy Equinox vehicles suffer from a defect in which a metal bar is over-powdered and therefore unsuitable for installing a child seat. The current remedy is to replace or adjust the coating of the impacted pieces. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-339.
Fracturing Steering Shaft
A small number of 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles are being recalled for containing a faulty steering shaft, which can detach and result in a loss of steering control. The current remedy is inspection and replacement of the steering gear. The NTHSA recall number is 23V-549.
Faulty Suspension Bolts
A small number of 2023 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe vehicles contain improperly treated bolts, resulting in those bolts being more fragile than they are supposed to be. The current remedy is replacement of the impacted parts. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-642.
Blank Instrument Panel Display
A large number of 2024 Chevy Trax vehicles contain a software defect that results in the instrument panel display going blank while driving or when the vehicle starts up. The current remedy is an update to the software done over-the-air. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-744.
Loose Seat Belt Bolts
A small number of 2024 Chevy Silverado EV vehicles may have loosened seat belt buckle attachment bolts. The current remedy is for a dealer to tighten the impacted bolts. The NHTSA remedy number is 23V-786.
Seat Belt Pretensioner Fire Risk
A number of 2017-2023 Chevy Bolt EV vehicles which were previously repaired under a different recall can have their seat belt pretensioner malfunction and ignite the carpet of the car. The current remedy is inspection and installation of metal carpet near the exhaust of the pretensioner. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-845.
Unexpected Door Opening
A small number of 2024 Chevy Blazer, Blazer EV, and Equinox vehicles can have their door strikers fracture, which results in the door opening by itself. The current remedy is replacement of the impacted parts. The NHTSA recall number is 23V-869.
How to Check Your Chevy’s Recall Status
Consumers who believe their Chevy may be the subject of a recall, or who know their Chevy is, can stay up to date on information on the NHTSA website, which can be found here. This website includes recall information, general road safety guidelines for drivers, and other information like vehicle safety ratings.
Does Your Chevy Qualify as a Lemon?
If you have identified a defect in your warrantied vehicle and that defect has undergone a reasonable number of repair attempts, you likely have a lemon on your hands.
Factors like the severity of the defect also factor into this evaluation. Consumers in such a situation should file a lemon law claim against GM so they can be compensated.
As already discussed, consumers can expect to get either a refund of the money spent on the vehicle or a replacement vehicle that is similar to the defective one.
It is very important for consumers to be aware that in a lemon law claim, consumers who prevail (win) against the manufacturer have their attorney’s fees paid for.
This means that the lemon lawsuit comes at no cost to the consumer bringing it. The attorney’s fees also do not come out of the refund as the entirety of the refund goes directly to the consumer.
Call the California Lemon Law Experts for a Free Case Evaluation!
If you have experienced persistent problems with your Chevy and believe you might be dealing with a lemon, don’t hesitate to contact the Lemon Law Experts today!
We have decades of experience in handling California lemon law claims, and our team of highly experienced attorneys would love to help you receive compensation for your defective vehicle.
Manufacturers hire their own skilled legal teams to defeat claims made by consumers: allow us to defend you and ensure you are compensated. Contact us today by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out our online form for a free case evaluation!
