Santa Clara, CA: General Motors (GM) is facing a proposed defective automotive class action lawsuit alleging its Chevy Cruz, Chevy Malibu and Buick Verano suffer from a steering defect that could make the cars veer dangerously as well as lower their resale value.
Filed by Briani Mendoza, the lawsuit asserts that the steering wheel in her Chevy Cruz locks and requires turning the wheel with extra force, which could make the car turn sharply when the wheel comes unstuck. The lawsuit further asserts that GM knew of the problem in three models from years 2011-2014. However, despite this knowledge, the automaker has so far refused to fix the issue in violation of warranty and consumer protection laws.
"The steering system is one of the most important components for vehicle control and safe driving,"the complaint states. "A defective steering system has serious consequences for the handling, maneuvering and stability of the class vehicles while in operation and can contribute to car accidents and potential injury or death."
In her complaint, Mendoza claims the vehicle's electronic power steering system locks in the straight position after the car has been traveling a long distance on a straight highway. After that happens, the driver has to exert more pressure to the wheel to free it and is in danger of exerting too much force, causing the wheel to turn too far and the car to suddenly veer, the lawsuit states.
In November 2014, GM issued a service bulletin via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, offering to repair the alleged defect at free of charge. The letter asked drivers who had experienced the issue to bring their cars to dealerships.
However, the complaint alleges GM used the same defective parts to fix the problem, and therefore the problem would likely manifest again after the car's limited warranty expired. Further, the suit notes, the automaker should have issued a full recall to fix the steering systems in all of the potentially affected vehicles.
The lawsuit claims GM should have known about the defect via its testing process and customer complaints. Therefore, GM's handling of the issue together with its probable prior knowledge violated California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the lawsuit claims. Additionally, the automaker breached its express and implied warranties in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
The driver seeks to represent a California and national class of Cruze, Malibu and Verano owners whose cars dropped in value because of the defect, and aims to recover damages or secure an injunction requiring the automaker to fix the steering flaw, along with punitive damages.
Mendoza is represented by Michael Louis Kelly, Behram V. Parekh and Heather Baker Dobbs of Kirtland & Packard LLP. The case is Mendoza v. General Motors LLC, case number 2:16-cv-00404, in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
i have a 2212 chevy malibu should i be worried about the steering wheel
Posted by laurie freitas
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i have a 2012 chevy malibu my steering is acting funny what should i do
Posted by Patricia Branham
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My 2006 Malibu was recalled in February, 2015, for a power steering issue. I was not having a problem but took the car to the dealer and they replaced a sensor. I had only 34,352 miles on the car. A couple of weeks ago, the power steering went out in my car. I have only driven it 10,000 miles since 2015, so the car only has 44,000 on it. Having doing some research, I found that GM now has a 10 year or 250,000 mile window on all cars who received a recall notice in 2015. This is per Jeffrey M. Boyer, Vice President of Global Vehicle Safety. I am well within that window. I took my car to the dealer, believing they would make it right. They were rude and dismissive and wanted almost $1,500 to do the repair. The power steering thus far has reset itself once you turn off the engine, and I left the dealership, came home and called GM customer service. That was on March 1. I waited until March 6, before calling again. Once again, I was told they would follow up this time and finally I received a return call the next day. This person promised she would do some GM “magic” but after a couple of other calls, she determined they would not repair the car. Clearly, it was her job to just get rid of me. I have told them I am not going away. I intend to write a letter to Mary Barra, and if I get another negative response, then I am turning to my attorney. I have been a Chevy owner my entire life, having purchased 11 Chevy’s. I have spent thousands on some big mean machines, including 3 Monte Carlos, an SS396, Z28, to name a few. Customer service has always been one of their best assets, but no more.
Posted by LaChant Tyson
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I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu and have been experiencing these problems recently I was trying to see if anyone else was having the same problem I've run into a few people I would like to be a part of this class action lawsuit to at least have Chevy to fix my car so that this problem does not happen Again it is a danger especially when driving on the highway like I do
Posted by David Copus
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My son totaled our 2014 Chevy Cruz. The steering wheel locked and caused him to cross the center line and hit a culvert on the other side of the road. Very lucky his injuries were not worse. It’s kind of hard for them to correct the problem now. Will someone being killed be what is necessary for them to post a recall?
Posted by Ed
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I own a 2006 Pontiac G6. I have had the Steering fix more than once, the last time was about 2 years ago. Once again the steering has gone out and GM refuses to make repairs because it was fixed under the recall and unless the problem reoccurs with in 1 year they consider the problem fixed and you are on your own.
My advice, by anything else but a GM with electrical assist steering, it could ave your life!!!!!
I now have a 3000 pound brick on my driveway, owner loyalty means nothing once they have your money!
Posted by Eva Nichols
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I had a 2013 Chevy Cruze , I no longer have it because the car was in a major wreak on the highway... Problems with excelling and brakes..
Posted by Jennifer Watts
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I received a recall notice for the power steering on my 2012 Malibu. I took it in because it was doing some of what they said it would do if it had problems. They looked at it and said "We hooked it up to our computer and the computer won't tell us what the problem is" and they sent me on my way without fixing the problem.
Posted by Theresa S
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I have had multiple problems with steering and electrical issues with 2013 Chevy Malibu. Have had at dealer several times to fix, contacted General Motors and filed complaint with NHTSA. Problems not resolved. How do I join class action lawsuit??
Posted by David Krumpe
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I have a 2012 Malibu and received a letter from GM that said this problem exists with some 2012 Malibus. However, it said I should not take it to a dealer for a correction if the problem has not happened. Instead the warranty is extended for 10 yrs. on the steering. I think this is unsatisfactory because I am retired and don't drive much per year. I usually keep a car a long time. Therefore, the 10 yrs. could expire, and then the problem could occur, and I would have to pay for the repair. GM should design parts that correct the problem, if they haven't done so already, and then install the new parts. For those who drive more miles per year, GM should not wait for a wreck to happen when they know this problem exists.
Posted by David Spurlock
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I have a 2013 Cruze R/S that has this problem. It has been to a dealership and a program put on it but it still does it.
The car has 14,000 miles on it and afraid for my family to drive it.
Any suggestions
Posted by Charlene Andrade
on
I have a 2012 Chevy Malibu, should I be worried about this steering wheel issue?
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