As today’s vehicles get ever more complex, they rely much more on electrical systems for nearly all their components. This range of systems, then, can be susceptible to a variety of problems. While the issues faced by newer cars can be many and nuanced, under lemon law, the same criteria are always used to determine if a potential claim can be pursued: the vehicle must exhibit a substantial defect that severely impacts its use, value or safety. It must remain unfixable after the prescribed number of repair attempts that a state (and these vary by state) allots to manufacturers to fix the problem. Also, each state may include other specifics in their lemon laws, which can vary by state. A lemon law attorney can advise you as to if your claim fits under your state’s lemon laws, and if potentially federal law could be used to pursue a claim.
So what about breach of warranty issues? There are many types; some involve more minor problems that aren’t fixed by the manufacturer under warranty. Then there are lemon law type problems, which involve the aforementioned substantial defects. A lemon law defect, then, is a specific type of breach of warranty that must continue to exist after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Today’s electrical failures can impact fundamental safety and operational functions.
Issues like those cited in recent GM recalls affecting braking systems, high-voltage battery management, or core software can make a vehicle dangerous or completely unusable.
What could happen related to electrical problems? A short circuit could disable the brakes or infotainment system, or a software glitch might prevent charging or proper acceleration. When these problems persist after reasonable repair attempts, they substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, and safety, and could meet the criteria for a lemon law-worthy issue.
Types of GM Electrical Problems That Could Lead to Lemon Law Claims
With all of this said, there have been numerous reports of GM electrical problems with a number of their late model vehicles. Not all of these will satisfy a state’s lemon law criteria. It can be helpful to review some example scenarios to see the types of issues that could potentially be considered for lemon law claims. These examples are for illustrative purposes only. It’s recommended that you take advantage of a lemon law attorney’s free case review to present your evidence regarding your specific claim.
Scenario 1: Persistent Brake System Electrical Shorts
A long-time GM truck owner was excited to get a new truck. He purchased a new Chevrolet Silverado medium-duty truck. Only about two months after he bought it, he experienced intermittent brake system warning lights and a spongy brake pedal. The owner took the truck to an authorized GM dealership, which diagnosed an electrical short in the brake pressure sensor assembly, a known recall issue.
Everything seemed straightforward, at first. The dealership made the repair, but the problem happened again three months later. The owner took the truck back into the repair center. The sensor and associated wiring were replaced again. When the issue occurred a third time, the owner got worried about his safety, as the electrical issue affected a critical safety system. It was recommended that the truck owner consult a lemon law attorney, as it was likely he had a strong lemon law claim for a substantial safety defect.
Worried about your safety with a vehicle that’s exhibiting a substantial defect? Call Allen Stewart, P.C. (866-440-2460) for your free consultation, or contact us online.
Scenario 2: Unresolved EV Software Glitches and Charging Malfunctions
A new driver decided to buy a brand-new 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. She took it home and barely put 1,000 miles on it when she began having issues. It kept having software glitches, a well-known issue with this model year. The infotainment screen would freeze up without warning. Plus, the navigation system would load haphazardly and, what was worse, the car kept failing to initiate charging at public charging stations. The owner got stranded twice because of that. She brought the EV to the dealership three times for software updates and module replacements.
Each time, the dealer assured her that the issue was fixed. The problems kept happening, significantly affecting the vehicle’s usability and the owner’s peace of mind regarding range and charging reliability. After the third unsuccessful repair attempt, the owner was told by her lemon law attorney that she may initiate a lemon law claim. The lawyer said that the persistent defects substantially impaired the vehicle’s use and value, making it unreliable.
If you’re having trouble with your GM EV or other electric vehicle and wonder if it’s a lemon, call Allen Stewart, P.C. (866-440-2460) for your free case review, or contact us online.
Scenario 3: Intermittent Power Loss in an SUV’s Electrical System
A GM SUV owner, driving a new model within the first year of ownership, started experiencing intermittent, unexplained power loss. He couldn’t understand it, because the SUV seemed fine, and suddenly these issues cropped up, which were hard to figure out. He said they didn’t happen all the time, but kept getting worse. The entire electrical system would momentarily die, and the SUV wouldn’t turn over for several minutes. This often happened unexpectedly while driving or attempting to start the vehicle.
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He brought the vehicle to the dealer, who could not replicate the issue during diagnostics but replaced the battery and checked connections. Everything seemed okay for several weeks, so the owner thought the fix had worked.
The problem came back twice more over the next few months. During the third repair visit, the dealer kept the vehicle for an extended period (nearly 40 days), eventually noting it had a corroded wire harness; likely improperly installed at the factory.
A lemon law attorney told the SUV owner that he could potentially pursue a lemon law claim based on the vehicle being out of service for an unreasonable amount of time. That wire harness the repair tech mentioned, which might be traceable to an inherent defect, could also figure into a potential lemon law claim.
Has your GM (or other vehicle) car or truck been in the shop for a long time, causing you to lose use of it for lengthy periods? Call Allen Stewart, P.C. (866-440-2460) for your free consultation, or contact us online.
How a Lemon Law Attorney Can Help You with GM Electrical Problem Claims?
As we’ve seen, the range of electrical issues GM cars have undergone (and can potentially undergo) are many and diverse. What can make the difference in how your claim is resolved is a skilled and experienced lemon law attorney who can help determine if your claim can qualify under state lemon laws (or federal law protections). When you present your evidence at your free consultation, the lawyer will review the particular electrical problems, and determine if they align with state lemon laws. The vehicle must exhibit a substantial defect that severely impacts its use, value or safety. Then the attorney will ask you how many times (if any) you have already taken the car in for repairs, and the outcomes of those visits.
Should your vehicle qualify as a lemon, the negotiation skills of the attorney can position you to receive compensation, which often takes the form of a buyback or a replacement vehicle.
The attorney anticipates and counters actions by the manufacturer, such as ignoring, minimizing or trying to dismiss your claim. It’s the attorney’s job to aggressively pursue your claim to protect your rights. The lawyer’s negotiation skills can potentially position clients to receive a favorable settlement, when otherwise the claim could get rejected.
Contact Allen Stewart, P.C. for Expert Lemon Law Representation
Whether you’re dealing with a GM electrical issue or any severe vehicle malfunction, Allen Stewart, P.C. provides expert lemon law representation. Should your vehicle qualify as a lemon, our attorneys will pursue your claim to hold the manufacturer accountable. We are prominent lemon law attorneys who have won many cases across the country, and are well-known lawyers in New York, California and Texas.
You might wonder if you need a lawyer. It’s a fact that the manufacturer will rely on its legal team to protect its interests. It’s vital that you protect yours with lawyers who know the tactics vehicle manufacturers use to avoid, obstruct, or reject claims. We will provide you with the best opportunity to gain maximum compensation for your defective vehicle.
You may also wonder about affording a lawyer. State lemon laws and federal law provide that the manufacturer pays your legal fees when you win your case. So, you don’t need to worry about affordability when trying to pursue a claim.
Don’t wait to consult our lemon law attorneys. Time is of the essence with lemon law claims. Call Allen Stewart, P.C. now (866-440-2460) for your free case review, or contact us online.