- GM has settled a class action lawsuit for $35 million after claims that Duramax fuel pumps were prone to failure.
- The pumps were said to create metal debris, which could severely damage the fuel system and cause engine shutdowns.
- Silverado and Sierra owners who paid out of pocket for CP4 repairs can receive up to $12,712 in compensation.
General Motors has agreed to shell out $35 million to settle with owners after a class action lawsuit alleged that certain Chevrolet and GMC pickup truck models were built with defective high-pressure fuel pumps. This payout comes after years of claims suggesting that GM knowingly installed faulty fuel pumps in some of their most popular heavy-duty trucks, putting owners at risk of sudden engine failure.
The lawsuit claimed that 2011-2016MY Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models equipped with the available 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engines were fitted with Bosch ‘CP4’ high-pressure fuel pumps that are “unreasonably fragile and prone to catastrophic failure.”
Read: Lawyers Get $15 Million After GM Settles Duramax Fuel Pump Lawsuit
It’s alleged that these pumps have a tendency to produce metal shavings when internal components rub against each other. Once these metal particles contaminate the fuel injection system, it can lead to complete engine shutdown—an issue that’s both dangerous and costly to fix.
Who is Included?
While the Detroit carmaker has denied any wrongdoing, the company has opted to settle rather than face the escalating costs of prolonged litigation.The settlement is a big deal for current and former Silverado and Sierra owners, though to qualify for a payout, class members must have purchased an affected truck from a GM-authorized dealer in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, or Texas.
Of the $35 million settlement, $30 million will be directed to current owners who purchased an impacted Silverado or Sierra model between March 1, 2010, and September 13, 2024, and paid out of pocket for a CP4 fuel pump repair that wasn’t covered by warranty. Depending on the number of claims filed, individual payments are expected to range between $6,356 and $12,712, making it a substantial refund for those who’ve had to shell out for costly repairs.
The remaining $5 million will go to class members who no longer own their diesel trucks or didn’t pay out of pocket for a CP4 repair. These individuals can expect smaller compensation, ranging from $400 to $800, but the exact amount will depend on how many people file valid claims. Additionally, those who haven’t yet experienced fuel pump failure but do so in the future can receive up to 50% reimbursement for the cost of a repair—so there’s still some relief down the road for unlucky owners.
How to Submit a Claim
If you, or anyone you know, happen to own or previously owned a 2011-2016 Silverado or Sierra equipped with the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine, it’s probably worth your time to swing by the GM Fuel Pump Litigation website and see if you’re eligible to cash in on this settlement. After all, how often do big corporations willingly hand out money?
