General Motors (GM) has reached a legal settlement of up to $35 million to compensate owners of certain diesel truck models due to engine failures. Drivers of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2016 could receive direct payments of up to $12,000.
The settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit accusing GM of installing defective fuel pumps in these vehicles, allegedly causing severe mechanical issues. Although the company has not admitted liability, it chose to settle the case to avoid a prolonged legal battle.
The compensation will primarily apply to those who purchased these models from GM dealerships in states such as California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, among others. Current owners will be eligible for the maximum compensation, while those who have already sold their trucks could receive between $400 and $800.
To qualify, affected individuals must meet three requirements: they must have purchased a 2011-2016 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra diesel truck, the purchase must have been made at an official GM dealership in states such as Texas, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, or California, and the vehicle must have been acquired between March 1, 2010, and September 13, 2024.
Compensation claims can be submitted until July of this year, either by mail to an address in Seattle or online. To do so, drivers must provide documents such as repair invoices, previous bank statements, and the vehicle identification number (VIN), which can be verified online. According to Top Class Actions, those who fail to submit their claims within the established deadline will not receive compensation.
GM’s case is not the only one where drivers may be eligible for refunds. According to The U.S. Sun, some BMW owners may also benefit from a $6 million settlement related to mechanical issues. Likewise, certain Mazda models, such as the CX-30 (2021-2022), Mazda 6 (2021), and CX-5 (2021), may qualify for refunds due to engine failures.
Additionally, BMW and Mini have issued an urgent recall for some of their models due to welding defects affecting the brakes, highlighting the growing pressure on automakers to ensure the safety and quality of their vehicles.
At the same time, GM continues to focus on innovation. The company has appointed Barak Turovsky as its new head of artificial intelligence (AI). With experience at Google and Cisco, Turovsky will lead the development of autonomous driving systems, competing with Tesla and Ford.
According to Dave Richards, GM’s head of software engineering and services, AI will be key to the future of electric vehicles (EVs), internal combustion engines (ICEs), and automation. Under Turovsky’s leadership, the AI team will aim to optimize products, improve processes, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Competition in this field is intense. In 2023, Consumer Reports ranked Ford’s BlueCruise system above GM’s Super Cruise as the best driver-assist system. Additionally, Ford CEO Jim Farley stated that the company is close to achieving Level 3 autonomy, which would allow drivers to operate hands-free under certain conditions.
Meanwhile, GM and Honda have joined forces to develop a new hydrogen engine, aiming to revitalize diesel use in the industry. This collaboration reflects the shift toward more sustainable technologies at a time when automakers face stricter regulations and increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly vehicles.
