Looks like General Motors might be facing a class-action lawsuit over faulty speedometers. The Seattle Times is reporting a couple of owners have had the speedos in their GM SUVs give out, costing anywhere from $100 to $427.50 to replace. Kevin Zwicker was one such owner with a 2004 Chevy Suburban that showed he was going 10 mph while he was driving along with traffic on Interstate 5. He had to be going at least 50. By April 2006, the gauge quit altogether, but because he was past the 36,000-mile warranty limit, he had to use his extended warranty to get it replaced for just $100.
According to The Times, Zwicker is now the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit that seeks damages on behalf of those affected by such problems. This could amount to thousands of drivers. The lawsuit would apply to all Washington residents with 2003 through 2007 model year GM trucks and SUVs who have had to replace their speedometers. Although Zwicker's lawsuit is limited to Washington, another nearly identical lawsuit was filed in Oregon on behalf of John Hall.
Thanks for the tip, Stedwoo!
[Source: The Seattle Times]
Hall wasn't quite as lucky as Zwicker. He didn't have an extended warranty and so he had to pay $427.50 to replace the speedo on his 2003 GMC Envoy LE. Attorney Beth Terrell said she doesn't have any plans to lump together possible suits from other states with these two, explaining "it makes sense to prosecute GM in each state on behalf of that state's residents." All together there are 10 different GM vehicles identified in the suits: Five Chevrolets (Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Trailblazer), four GMCs (Denali, Envoy, Sierra and Trailblazer), and the Cadillac Escalade.
A GM spokeswoman had no comment because GM had not yet seen the lawsuits. The damages being sought in the suits include the obvious replacement of the speedometers and reimbursement of repair fees, but also goes so far as to call for compensation for any speeding tickets or increased insurance fees for people caught speeding with one of the affected vehicles.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mark @ Mar 5th 2007 11:45AM
If GM wants to continue to improve their quality, they better step up and replace these under a recall. Find out what's defective and fix it for free. They have enough problems, they should fix this one quickly!
GM WHO? @ Mar 5th 2007 11:47AM
What is Nelson Muntz from The Simpson's would say right about now? Ahh yes, I remember now, HA HA!
why not the LS2LS7? @ Mar 5th 2007 11:47AM
If I sued Audi every time something broke on my car (whether in or out or warranty), they'd have to hire every lawyer in New York State.
What is this crap? Never had stuff go wrong for you before? I have bad news, life is full of bad news, some of those things you can even sue over!
I especially like how they're suing for speeding ticket money. It's not like the speedo was reading 5% low, it is reading 10mph at highway speeds. When you see that, it's up to you to get it fixed, you should know something is wrong.
zach @ Mar 5th 2007 12:03PM
Oh good, another reason for the morons to here to rip a company for something going wrong. Parts fail sometimes; get over it.
Gardiner Westbound @ Mar 5th 2007 12:14PM
.
Automakers have been putting speedometers in cars for a very long time. They should have the hang of it by now.
There is nothing an owner can do to shorten or extend a speedometer's service life. It should last indefinitely.
GM can restore some luster to its badly tarnished image for quality and integrity by repairing the defective speedos gratis with apologies.
emor8t @ Mar 5th 2007 12:15PM
Wait a minute!? He had it start to go bad, while it was under warranty, and then it finally failed, and he wants GM to replace it like it was under warranty?
I'm sorry, but you snooze you loose. Mine started acting up on my and I took it straight to the dealer, they replaced it, no charge.
Unless the NTSB makes GM issue a recall, which they should, this law suit has no merit. If I understand this correctly. If I were the judge, I'd through this case out.
I'm not saying GM should NOT replace the speedo for free, they should. But this guy is an idiot.
Phewop118 @ Mar 5th 2007 12:16PM
I have this problem on my 05 Trailblazer. It started around 38,000 miles, right out of the regular warranty. I do have a GM extended warranty (I suspected quality issues from the beginning), so when I get it replaced, it will be covered. It's a bit frightening to be going down the highway and see 15mph or even 45, cause you really don't know how fast you're going. What's just funny is going on a back road and you think you're going 35mph, but the speedometer insists you're going 90.
If I were GM, I'd do what Honda does and say it's a supplier problem, because in this case, it certainly is. There should be no class-action suit, but rather an indefinite warranty on the part and coverage of previous replacements that were out of warranty.
Bob @ Mar 5th 2007 12:19PM
who cares?
carz @ Mar 5th 2007 12:19PM
I no someone that works for a BMW store. This is a commong issue with their somewhat older cars. and the older x5 not new X5. The pixels go out on them all the time so you can't see how many miles are on the car. Cost's about $800 to $1,000 to have replaced and reprogramed. Not to mention that BMW says it's normal to be off up to 10mph from what the actual speed is on the speedometer. Surprised someone hasn't sued for that.
But back to the issue. The car has over 36,000 miles on it. Hmmn it's no longer new. What... I assume he has never driven something that doesn't brake. Too many sue happy idiots out there. No wonder the cost of things are soo high. my 2cents.
Richard @ Mar 5th 2007 12:25PM
A speedometer which is going bad will read high. If the speedometer read 10 mph while driving at freeway speeds, then the speedometer was already broken. Driving with a broken speedometer is disconcerting, but the broken speedometer should be obvious to all but the least observant driver.
Based on the vehicles listed, it appears that there may be a problem with GM SUVs. However, the problem reveals itself only after about three years on the road. Presumably, GM will investigate and determine the cause of the problem and offer a fix.
Michael Karesh @ Mar 5th 2007 12:28PM
This isn't about the speedometer or the vehicle owners. This is about lawyers sensing a way to make a few million bucks.
Before everyone goes all anti-GM, be aware that Honda recently settled a class action suit involving inaccurate odometers, which also aren't new technology. The lawyers pocketed nearly ten million. Owners got a 4% or so warranty and lease mileage extension.
carz @ Mar 5th 2007 12:30PM
Please excuse my spelling mistakes. Was in somewhat of a hurry when I wrote that last post.
Yayaja @ Mar 5th 2007 12:32PM
I feel for GM... I think they really are trying to improve their cars and most importantly their image, but set backs like these are just sloppiness. I think the problems remains that GM needs to be trimmed down, so there are less opposing views, and more initiative.
Guenther @ Mar 5th 2007 12:32PM
Amazing the nerve of these people. GM should NOT offer to pay for this, unless he documented it starting to fail while it was still under warranty. the speedometer is not considered a basic safety item, therefore NHTSA should not look for a recall. Mr Zwitter should however feel free to exercise his right as a consumer to select a different product in the future. The person that should be the most pro-active, it the sales manager of the dealership. He should in fact invite the poor soul in to look at a new Silverado, while offering an an attractive trade deal. But only because he wants to retain a customer, not because he feels obligated somehow.
brian @ Mar 5th 2007 12:35PM
It would have been appropriate to mention the recent Honda settlement regarding inaccurate speedometers ( http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/19/odo-uh-oh-honda-extending-warranties-on-6-million-cars/ ). Unfortunately, the author and posters chose to ignore this because it doesn't support their opinion that every vehicle that GM makes is garbage.
This sounds like a real problems for these owner but isn't sufficient grist to serve as an indictment of an entire family of vehicles.
Accordsforall @ Mar 5th 2007 12:41PM
Hmmm
Id be very curious.. to know of the maker of the Honda Odo's and GM's speedo's.. are related. If thats the case.. I sense a major ass whoopin.
Theres no reason a Honda Odo should fail or be incorrect .. a GM.. well it is Gerneric Motors..
jg @ Mar 5th 2007 12:44PM
'Not to mention that BMW says it's normal to be off up to 10mph from what the actual speed is on the speedometer. Surprised someone hasn't sued for that.
'
They are not off by 10 mph and BMW never said that. All speedo's are within a percentage of your actual speed and BMW is no different.
Hamud @ Mar 5th 2007 12:45PM
Sh..t happens, mainly when you deal with something so advanced and full of parts like a car.
But, i think that GM should assume the cost of repairing these items.
Accordsforall @ Mar 5th 2007 12:52PM
Hmmm
Hey Guenther... you want to talk about NERVE?? What kinda balls dont you have? How bout we put you into a Tahoe with a bad Speedo (as much as I hate GM.. Im backing them in this instance).. and watch you get bagged by a "stater" (State Cop) for doing 60 over the limit when your speedo "says 75". I guarentee you wont be so... PC instead ya be all "lawyering up."
It IS GM'S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY THAT THEY PICK UP THE COST AND PRICE AND OR PROBLEM WITH EVERY GOD DAMN SPEEDO THAT GOES OUT! (Especially since they need every lick of positive news to remain a company!)
Do you want to be driving down some road.. when the only control system that you have.. goes black? And your forced to operate that 4500lb load of crap.. without proper controls??
I got news for ya ol Guenther... IT IS GM's responsibility!
And for your stupid self.. to even mention that the vehicle should be traded on a "new" Silverado with "an attractive lease deal" because the speedo went out.. is.. BEYOND STUPID.
Unless you have been living on MARS lately.. GM uses most of the same parts on their full size trucks.. and suvs. SO... buying a Silverado / Escalade EXT / Avalanche / Sierra. really doesnt make a lick of diffence.. not to mention the concept that since the speedo is bad.. the vehicle is bad.
I do hope.. your speedo goes bad.. and Imma laugh in your face.
Simple Minded.. bastard
synergeist @ Mar 5th 2007 12:55PM
Nothing like a litigation-happy ambulance-chaser's attempt to leech money from America's #1 automaker.