Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
A class action lawsuit was recently filed against auto manufacturer General Motors for allegedly providing faulty fuel pumps in certain Chevrolet and GMC models.
These fuel pumps were meant to be good for 150,000 to 200,000 miles of use, but instead are allegedly failing before 100,000 miles. If you have experienced this problem with your vehicle, you may be eligible to join this class action lawsuit and be compensated with the other plaintiffs.
However, it may be in your best interest as a consumer to file an individual lemon law claim against the manufacturer of your defective vehicle, in this case GM, instead of joining a class action lawsuit.
There are a handful of reasons why a lemon law claim may be the better choice for you. If your vehicle has suffered from a defect you have taken in to be repaired repeatedly, you likely have the basis for a lemon law claim.
Continue reading for more information on the class action lawsuit and comparisons between joining a class action and filing your own individual claim.
| Affected Vehicle | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
| GMC Terrain | $57,583 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $50,933 |
*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.
Which GM Owners are Eligible to Join?
Not all GM vehicles are impacted by this fuel pump problem. The class action only alleges fuel pump issues in 2020-2024 Chevrolet Equinox and 2020-2024 GMC Terrain vehicles.
According to the class action, this defect is impossible to remedy through replacement because the replacement fuel pumps are also defective, so replacing them is not a meaningful fix. Any owner of an impacted GM model is eligible to join the class action, since the class action is regarding the use of defective parts and poor-quality control processes that all listed models could theoretically be suffering from.
| Affected Vehicle | Defect for Class Action |
| 2020-2024 GMC Terrain | Fuel pump problem, engine stalling |
| 2020-2024 Chevrolet Equinox | Fuel pump problem, engine stalling |
4 Steps to Join the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox Class Action Lawsuit
Joining a class action lawsuit as a consumer is a simple process that only involves submitting some basic information and staying up-to-date on information regarding the lawsuit.
Before a consumer can join, they should first identify if they are a member of the class. A member of the class in this case will be someone who purchased or leased an impacted vehicle. In other words, a consumer should first see if they own a vehicle with a defective fuel pump.
After determining that their vehicle is in the impacted group, consumers should gather documentation to prove ownership of the vehicle and to verify that the vehicle is an impacted one. Repair documentation, if it exists, is also important.
The next step is to contact the attorneys who have taken on the class action and are representing the plaintiffs. In the case of the defective GM fuel pumps, the plaintiffs are being represented by Berger Montague PC and Capstone Law APC.
After contacting the legal counsel handling the case, a consumer should stay up-to-date as the lawsuit develops and continue to provide any information requested of them. A consumer with general concerns about joining a class action can find information online about them or seek legal advice for guidance on whether to join.
Should You Join the Lawsuit?
Whether or not you should join the lawsuit is a question only you can answer as the impacted consumer. However, there are some general pros and cons to joining a class action that may inform your decision.
Pros
Joining a class action takes a lot out of the hands of the individual consumers and places it in the hands of the legal counsel handling the case. Class actions are complex and generally operate with less input from individual plaintiffs, instead having a lead plaintiff make decisions for the class as a whole.
This lack of input can make the process feel more straightforward on the consumer side of things, because they do little more than what is specifically asked of them by the attorneys. Legal fees are also covered by the settlement in a class action lawsuit, so if the consumers win, they have no legal fees to bear the cost of.
Cons
The main con to joining a class action lawsuit instead of bringing an individual claim is the difference in award. Because class action lawsuits pay out to a group of people, the award received by any individual member of the class is substantially lower than an award would be for an individual case. The lack of control over the case is another potential con for a consumer who desires more involvement.
Should You Pursue an Individual Lemon Law Claim instead of Joining a Class Action?
Whether or not you should pursue an individual lemon law claim instead of joining a class action comes down to the facts and circumstances of your case and what you ultimately want to get out of it.
Where a class action lawsuit takes a broad-strokes approach to resolving the issues of individual consumers, a lemon law claim will look at your case and your case alone to determine remedies and resolution.
If your specific case involves a serious issue that has taken place because of the defect’s presence, an individual claim would likely be the smarter choice.
The same is true if you desire a higher level of control over the direction of your claim. Finally, if you are relying on the money from a favorable outcome to you, a lemon law claim is a better option because the award will be higher than in a class action lawsuit.
Attorney’s fees for the plaintiff are covered in California if the plaintiff prevails, meaning the claim will come at no cost to the consumer in terms of legal fees or costs as the consumer’s legal fees and costs are paid by the defendant.
GM Fuel Pump Class Action Deadlines
No official deadline has been announced or set for this class action as of June 3rd, 2024. However, the lawsuit was filed on May 15th, 2024, so it is safe to assume things are still in the early stages of the lawsuit and the deadline to join is not immediately upcoming.
GMC Terrain or Chevy Equinox Fuel Pump Problems? Call a Lemon Law Expert!
If you are a consumer who has noticed a defect in your GMC Terrain or Chevy Equinox’s fuel pump, or have already presented your vehicle for repairs related to this defect, it may be in your best interest to contact a lemon law attorney today and have your case evaluated.
The attorneys at the Lemon Law Experts have decades of experience and would love to help you bring your claim against GM. Our attorneys work diligently with our clients to ensure they get a favorable outcome to their case.
Join thousands of satisfied and compensated clients today by reaching out, either by phone at (877) 885-5366 or through our online form!
