Lawyers Get $15 Million After GM Settles Duramax Fuel Pump Lawsuit

Owners of specific GM models with Duramax diesel engines are in line to be reimbursed after a settlement was preliminarily approved. As is often the case with class action settlements like this, the lawyers will get a pretty payday.

The lawsuit alleges that 2011-2016 Chevrolet Silverado and 2011-2016 GMC Sierra models fitted with the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 have Bosch CP4 fuel pumps that are prone to failure because they can’t handle U.S. diesel. The pumps can allegedly generate metal shavings that destroy the fuel injection systems and the Duramax engines.

Read: Settlement Reached Over Kia And Hyundai Models With Engines Prone To Failure

Plaintiffs claim GM charges owners $10,000 to fix the problem but knows any such repairs are futile if a vehicle continues to be fueled with U.S. diesel.

Through the settlement, eligible owners must have purchased a 2011-2016 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra from a GM dealer after March 1, 2010. Because of the funny way that class action lawsuits like this often work, the reimbursement is only available for models purchased in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, reports Car Complaints.

GM will reimburse owners for any out-of-pocket expenses they had to make for any necessary repairs to fix problems stemming from the fuel pump defect. Current customers will receive warranty coverage for any future repairs related to the fuel pump or related components. This warranty runs for up to 12 months from the settlement’s approval date or 200,000 miles from the original sale.

Additionally, owners who have since sold their vehicles may be compensated for overpaying for their vehicles.

Each of the 11 plaintiffs behind the class action will receive $5,000. That’s just a drop in the ocean compared to the $15 million the three firms representing the plaintiffs will receive; Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, Hilliard Martinez Gonzalez LLP, and The Miller Law Firm P.C.