The owners of a 2024 Chevrolet Trax have filed a class action lawsuit after their vehicle’s 1.2-liter engine failed on 25 January, with 11,581 miles on the odometer. The Plaintiffs, Samantha Cook and Donna Cook, allege that Chevrolet’s 1.2-liter turbo engines are defective.
Samantha Cook was driving the Trax when a warning message appeared signaling reduced engine power, and soon after, the vehicle stalled. She also experienced loud knocking. Once the vehicle was inspected by the dealership, she was informed that the engine had a broken connecting rod, and the solution was to replace the engine.
The engine in question is used in four Chevrolet models sold since 2024, namely the Buick Encore, Buick Envista, Trailblazer, and Trax. Plaintiffs state GM allegedly continues to cover up engine defects on the 3-cylinder gasoline engines (RPO LIH or LBP).
Carcomplaints.com describes symptoms of the engine problems on GM’s 1.2-liter turbo engine in Chevrolet models, such as “knocking sounds, loud mechanical bangs and a loss of power. Once a connecting rod pierces the engine block, the 1.2L turbo engine can also lose fluids that can start a fire.”
When a lawsuit reaches the discovery phase, both sides are required to exchange information about witnesses and evidence before trial. In this case, the plaintiffs are counting on reaching the discovery stage to further support their allegations. The details state:
“Discovery will show that improperly designed and/or manufactured internal engine components, lubrication passages, and casting features result in these failures, including bearing and connecting-rod damage, oil starvation, and engine-block porosity.”
“Discovery will show that, since 2022, if not earlier, Defendant has been aware the Class Vehicles’ engines were prone to premature internal failure, including bearing and connecting-rod damage, oil leakage, loss of propulsion, and fire.”
“In fact, discovery will show that the Engine System Defect is so severe that it has resulted in a multiple month backorder on the Engine which in turn has resulted in Class Vehicles remaining unrepaired and undriveable for extended periods of time.”
“Discovery will show that, in an effort to conceal the Engine System Defect, Defendant instructed dealers to tell consumers their vehicles are ‘operating normally’ or ‘operating as intended’ when they are not, or to give excuses for sub-par performance.”
“Additionally, discovery will show that GM knew of the impact of this defect from the sheer number of reports received from dealerships.”
Although vehicles with the 1.2-liter turbo engine include a “5-year/60,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty, which expressly covers the engine, transmission, drive system, and transaxle, in addition to a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty.” Plaintiffs allege that engine problems are affecting even those who have exceeded the warranty period.
In addition, they also specify that vehicle owners bear “substantial out-of-pocket expenses for engine replacement and related damage.” The allegations reveal that dealerships have denied warranty coverage by stating that the vehicles are running normally, and sometimes even conduct repairs that don’t necessarily fix the problem.
