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.
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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