Hagens Berman Files Two Consolidated Complaints against GM

If Certified as a Class, GM’S Exposure Could Top $10 Billion

SEATTLE – Hagens Berman and co-lead counsel Lieff Cabraser filed two consolidated complaints in the General Motors ignition switch litigation, collectively alleging that more than 60 recalls affecting more than 27 million GM-branded vehicles sold in the United States from model years 1997-2014 have caused consumers to lose value in their GM vehicles.

If you are concerned about the potential loss of value of your GM vehicle, or have sold your GM vehicle at a loss, or had your GM vehicle declared a total loss, email [email protected].

Both complaints seek remedies for violations of state consumer protection statutes, breach of implied warranties, fraud by concealment, unjust enrichment and violation of the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Download the first consolidated complaint covering all GM-branded vehicles purchased or leased between July 11, 2009 and July 3, 2014 can be viewed here.

Download the second consolidated complaint covering GM-branded vehicles with ignition-related defects and purchased or leased between before July 11, 2009.

The first consolidated complaint, filed on Oct. 14, 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York—where hundreds of class actions against GM have been consolidated before Judge Furman—covers all GM-branded vehicles sold after GM’s bankruptcy proceedings and accuses the automaker of misrepresentation, concealment and non-disclosure of a plethora of serious safety defects.

Damages are sought on the grounds that GM concealed facts about its safety defects to consumers and did so in order to falsely assure purchasers and lessors of GM’s commitment to building safe and reliable vehicles, leading many to purchase or lease vehicles without knowledge of the defects, according to the suit. The suit seeks damages for a class of consumers and used-car dealers, including anyone who owns or has owned or leased a new or used GM-branded vehicle sold between July 11, 2009 and July 3, 2014.

If certified as a class, GM’s exposure in the litigation could top $10 billion.

A second consolidated complaint was also filed on Oct. 14, 2014 against GM, seeking compensation for millions of owners of GM vehicles with serious ignition-related safety defects that can cause the vehicle’s ignition switch to inadvertently move from the “run” position to the “accessory” or “off” position during ordinary driving conditions, resulting in a loss of power, vehicle speed control and braking, as well as a failure of the vehicle’s airbags to deploy. These vehicles were bought or leased prior to GM’s 2009 bankruptcy, and the suit covers the following GM vehicle models and model years:

2003-2009 Saturn Ion; 2005-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt; 2007-2009 Pontiac G5; 2006-2009 Chevrolet HHR; 2006-2009 Pontiac Solstice; 2007-2009 Saturn Sky; 2004-2005 Buick Regal LS & GS; 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse; 2006-2009 Buick Lucerne; 2000-2009 Cadillac Deville; 2007-2009 Cadillac DTS; 2006-2009 Chevrolet Impala; 2006-2009 Chevrolet Monte Carlo; 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS; 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX; 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu; 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala; 2000-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo; 2000-2005 Pontiac Grand Am; 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix; 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue; 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero; or 2008-2009 Pontiac G8.

The second consolidated complaint alleges that GM knew about the defects, and that despite the dangerous, life-threatening nature of the ignition switch defects, including how the defects affect critical safety systems, GM concealed the existence of the defects and failed to remedy the problems.

The complaints allege specific examples of how GM-branded vehicles have lost value starting in February 2014 and continuing today. Some vehicles have seen diminution in the thousands of dollars, including 2010 and 2011 Chevy Camaros, which have lost $2,000 in value, and the 2009 Pontiac Solstice, which has lost $2,900 in value, according to the complaints.

Concerned consumers who have owned or leased any of the GM models sold during the affected period are encouraged to contact a Hagens Berman attorney by emailing [email protected] or calling 206-623-7292.

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in nine cities. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List seven times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

Contact
Ashley Klann
[email protected]
206-268-9363

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