GM Side Blind Zone Alert Lawsuit Should Be Dismissed, Automaker Says
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General Motors is asking a judge to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought against the company pertaining to the Side Blind Zone Alert system on the 2013-2018 Chevrolet Cruze. The suit was brought by Michigan couple Anthony and Lisa Hudson, whose lawyers allege that the positioning of the Side Blind Zone Alert sensors in the rear bumper cover of the car quickly renders them useless during normal operation as they are exposed to frequent rain, snow, and other things that can affect operation. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that the wiring for the sensors is insufficiently insulated, leading to expensive repairs as the wiring is ruined by the elements.
GM ought to have known that the positioning of the sensors and wiring would quickly render the system inoperable during normal use, the lawsuit alleges, as it’s an issue that should have manifested during GM’s road testing before launch. The Hudsons’ lawyers note that numerous other customers have filed complaints or had their Side Blind Zone Alert systems serviced under warranty.
In trying to get the lawsuit thrown out, General Motors’ lawyers have fired back with a range of counterarguments. For instance, while roughly 25 percent of the 1.1 million 2013-2018 Chevrolet Cruze examples sold were equipped with the system, the lawsuit mentions just 40 cars that were taken in for servicing of the system during their warranty periods, and the plaintiffs don’t mention any specific facts about the issues experienced or the scope of their servicing.
Forty cars requiring servicing out of some 250k sold with the system hardly suggests that the Side Blind Zone Alert system is defective, GM says.
In addition, GM’s lawyers argue that while it is alleged that “the problem with the sensors is inherent in the design of the vehicle,” the terms of the automaker’s warranty only cover defects caused by “materials or workmanship.” And nothing in GM’s warranty guarantees against a repaired part or system needing further repairs in the future, nor is such a burden placed upon any manufacturer. “To [impose such a thing] would be tantamount to re-writing the terms of the limited warranty into one of unlimited scope and duration,” GM says.
What do you think? Do the plaintiffs have a case that the placement of the Side Blind Zone Alert sensors on the Chevrolet Cruze is equivalent to an inherent defect? Or should the class-action lawsuit be dismissed? Weigh in in the comments section below.
(Source: CarComplaints.com)
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every vehicle i know of has the radar sensors in the bumper cover behind the rear wheels and the wiring coming through the 1/4 panel
So, this couple is suing because they had to fix their car? Out of warranty? Like pretty much everyone else who drives cars? I had to replace my engine in my 2012 Malibu last year. I survived (I’m in college too) Dismiss this please.
A six year old car and you had to replace the engine?
Timing chain guide broke and engine ate it up. I noticed the engine was running hot and seemed sluggish. So I changed the oil and noticed metal shards in the filter. I knew that wasn’t good hahahaha
I’ve had both sensors replaced under warranty on my 2014 Cruze.
My father had one replaced under warranty on his 2013 XTS.
Since the above post, I’ve now had the right sensor replaced a second time as well as the wiring harness connecting both left and right sensors. Work covered at no charge by GMPP.
…and now, drum roll please:
My left sensor failed two weeks ago. Dealer was finally able to see me last Friday and told me that the sensor module is on backorder and that they have no idea when the part will come in.
So including those installed at the factory, this will be three sensors on the left and three sensors on the right, plus two wiring harnesses. My GMPP is paying for itself.
Was also told that the part number has changed three times – so it looks like GM is trying to solve the problem.
It’s definitely not nonsense. Normally I do not buy into these kinds of lawsuits, but this one definitely…holds water. Okay, I’ll stop with the puns right there.
Anyway – our 2014 Cruze Diesel has had the sensors corrode and fail *multiple* times, as the modules themselves are entirely unsealed, and mounted to the bumper where they are easily exposed to salt water spray in winter.
The last time they failed, both sides failed at once, and caused some *major* issues elsewhere in the vehicle, since the wiring is all integrated. One side caused the MyLink screen fuse to blow – the audio still worked just fine, but the center stack radio controls and the screen itself would not work, due to the fuse. Replace the fuse, and it’d blow immediately. The second side would actually cause the entire cluster to go out – I’m talking tach, speedo, fuel, coolant, all down to zero. DIC would tell you all the modules were no longer working (they were, but it lost connection) and odometer/trip would not display (they updated in the BCM, but were not relayed to the cluster). It also would cut whatever HVAC settings you had (if heated seats or defroster were on, you’d have to turn them back on when it regained consciousness – quite inconvenient given it was winter at the time). One drive I had it shut down and restart (the cluster/HVAC, not the car) around 40 times.
The dealer had a good place to start the investigation when I told them about the fuse and quickly determined the culprit to be the side detection modules. Disconnected both, and suddenly no more cluster shut downs and the radio no longer blew a fuse. So, since B2B was long gone (it had failed two or three times under B2B before this), it was either: $1600 to replace both modules and the harness, or disconnect them and tie everything up out of the way. We chose the latter, for obvious reasons, but it’d be nice to have a feature I paid for, you know, working.
I don’t particularly need a lawsuit – but special coverage on these things would definitely be nice.
My 2016 CruzeLTZ had the same problem whenever it rained the module would short out I have had to replace it twice under warranty
I own a 2014 Cruze Diesel. I have had the passengers side sensor or module replaced to the tune of $600. Now the driver’s side is giving issues. I think Chev should have a recall and seal all of the connectors and modules.
Well I have a 2015 Cruze here in Canada. I have 20,000 km on it. And guess what, same thing the sensors give up. Of course my warranty is up for this, so no coverage. Almost $1000.00 to repair. I paid for this system buying the car, and I do expect it to last at least 3/4 of its life. As for now, for doing that repair, I don’t think so. So when I see this as a lawsuit, I am supporting it, and will be looking at it from this end. If you just stand by and say, O Well, you will always have the issue. If they had descent quality controls in place when they build their vehicles, you would not have all these issues.
Lawsuit is in the United States.
If you want legal redress in Canada I’m afraid you’ll have to pursue resolution through the Canadian courts.
Yes realize that, but no harm in checking it out on this end. Will see what takes place.
I have a 2013 Buick Verano and I have had to replace the side detection modules 3 times in 42 000 Kms. I
have inspected one of the modules that was removed and they are obviously not watertight. It was full of corrosion.
GM continues to use the same replacement part when they know or ought to have known it is of faulty or poor design. The
GM Dealership informed me that the module failures are a common problem and GM agreed to pick up one half of the
replacement cost for the third failure. The first 2 failures (one year apart) were covered under warranty. I cannot understand
why their engineers would not have redesigned the module when they can clearly see the problem.
We brought our Buick Verano in this morning and we’re told we need to replace 2 of them. However, here’s the kicker….the dealership said this happens so often that the parts are on back order and we are looking at not being able to get this fixed for at least 3 weeks. Wtf are we supposed to do? In reading other posts sounds like if we don’t fix the issue and continue driving it we could end up with an even more costly problem on our hands. If this is happening so often that they can’t even keep up with ordering the parts something needs to be done. Obviously there is a problem.
On May 1, 2019 we were finally able to bring our Verano in to get this fixed. It literally took them over a month to get this part because this happens so often (that’s what the Buick dealership told us). This is ridiculous $1200 later and how long is this going to last until we are right back in this situation!?!
My 2013 has been in 6 times for this issue. Four while under warranty, the fifth out of warranty and it’s going in again tomorrow. Lawsuit should continue. My entire driver panel and infotainment system shut down yesterday and today. Very upsetting
I’d liketo say this also happened to my 2015 chevy cruze within the first year owning it and of course it’s not covered under warranty, first the passenger side went out even took my radio out with it did investigating took it in and they want a ridiculous amount of money I told my dealership, what I cant drive when it’s raining or use it in the winter…..even the water pump needed replacement, now just the other day my drivers side went out first the side detection on the mirror wouldn’t go out all night, I knew what to do after researching online, and the f***face at the top who says big deal I had to replace my engine, well hes just plain ignorant and I bet his parents are still scratching his back ffs,…….. General Motors quite selling garbage test and test and test if something’s wrong fix it before you sell please di t cut corners or well all be going import or elsewhere
Have the same problem with side sensor alert system on my 2014 Cruze. Both sensors went out at the same time. Seems like GM would do a recall since it is a safety issue. Any updates on the lawsuit or a GM recall?
2013 Traverse LTZ, Buffalo, NY same problem. Replacement module cannot be purchased. Dealer says this is a commonly replaced part and a terrible design.
Thanks for the individuals who identified that the dash display unit fuse blows as a result of the blind side detection system failing. I just replaced the fuse and the display started working again. In researching the cost of the blind side detection sensors & control module(s), I found the lawsuit and then this website,
Does anyone know the location of the modules and/or how to disable the blind side detection system, as mentioned by MP81? The blind side detection system components have been removed from the online GM Parts sellers detailed parts diagrams for the vehicles.
With dealers continually stating that the parts are on back order, that is an indication of only 2 possibilities – 1) The parts are on allocation and are no longer being manufactured, or 2) there is a high demand for the parts due to a high failure rate and the failure rate is outpacing the manufacturing rate that GM calculated they would need for normal replacement through the lifetime of the vehicle.
The lawsuit has merit and should continue.
I was told by my dealer that GM has developed some level of a weatherproof fix for this ongoing problem. Parts are constrained until production can meet demand. I do not know what the fix is – or what the part numbers are.
GM would like you to believe (in their rationale for dismissal) that this is only 40 cars. A brief search on-line reveals that almost every make/model of GM product has this issue. I own a Buick Enclave with this problem, but it also encompasses Cruzes, Impalas, Silveradoes, and the list goes on. More power to these folks for starting the lawsuit. I don’t think it should be dismissed, I think it should be expanded to include everyone with this issue. Perhaps if GM were facing 100,000 complainants they would take the issue…and more importantly, a fix…more seriously.
Add a 2013 Yukon Denali to the list of malfunctioning, unable to be determined problems with this tech. it is a company vehicle and started acting up in 2018. It appeared to be in cold, wet weather and especially after a car wash as recently as this past Friday. I was wondering if the mirrors being folded in contributed but it appears multiple models of GM vehicles without foldable mirrors are having the same issue.
All GM models should be added to one complaint as it is probably similarly made.
2014 chevy cruze ltz rs.
When i first bought the car new. I have a issue with the blind spot detectuon system every year it was something else till my bumper to bumper expired. And the following year the sensor shorted out and it blowes a fuse which takes out my center lcd display screen. I cleaned to sensor connector to get ride of the short cause it blew a hole in the connector. Like dammm its bad this sensor system is junk i rather it no even be in my car any more it cause more problems then it does work . So pure garbage
2014 Buick Verano convenience
My service side detection came on about two years ago. I brought my car in to the dealership to be told they could not find a reason for it failing. Left with my car then did my own research. Determined it is the same issue everyone here is having. Went back to the dealer and showed then what i learned. Replace the module (on back order) plus five hours labor would be $1200. I left and lived with it ever since. Time to time i get my gauges and infotainment center going out but it comes back in a day or two. I suspect there are more than forty cars with this issue considering the Cruze and Verano are basically the same car. Not to mention every other model it’s in. Buicks line of passenger cars, Chevy Volt, Cadillac CTX, Chevy Traverse… the list goes on.
So last year I was on here and left a comment on my 2015 Chev Cruze. I had one side of my blind side sensors give up, and of course it was off warranty. Would have cost me almost $800.00. I said it was going to run that way for I was not paying that money. I was not happy with chev. I was wanting to pursue this US lawsuit that was going on also after going through this with chev. Then the other side went out, and that included my center display also. I brought it back to my original dealership where I purchased. Now these guys where going to charge me $350.00 to repair both sides, which included two sensors. Ok, now scratching my head from why the big difference between the two chev dealerships. So, I had to get it done, but glad it was a lot cheaper now. So while waiting for parts to come, guess what, I get a recall notice. Ended up not costing me anything. The recall is for certain cars, but not all. Again judging by many are having the same issue. I don’t know how that is set up through chev. Should be a recall to all I think. Its there for safety.
First I heard of the recall notice. What cars were included in the recall?
I took my 2015 Cruze in in November 2018 and elected not to fix the issue due to the extreme cost and the fact that the parts were clearly a flawed design. This is the second set of sensors I’ve had. The first were replaced under warranty. At the time the dealer diagnosed the issue, my car had 74,000 miles on it. This was under the 80,000 threshold to be replaced under the special policy Chevy issued. However, when the policy letter came out in April of 2019, my car was BARELY over 80,000 miles and Chevy is refusing to acknowledge the policy due to being over.
I have a 2013 Gmc Acadia Denali. 80,000 miles. Second owner. Having the same issues. Don’t Know how many times the issue came up before I got it. I went into the information center, and shut it off. All I get is a message when I start the car that the side detection system is off. Waiting for GM to produce a reasonably priced replacement part, that doesn’t corrode. Might be waiting awhile.