Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over 2010-Present Chevrolet Camaro Starter
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A new class-action lawsuit has been filed over alleged recurring problems with the starter motor in the 2010-present Chevrolet Camaro.
The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in the state of Delaware, alleges General Motors “knowingly sold Chevy Camaro models without disclosing that the vehicles are plagued by a starter and/or heat shield defect.”
The suit claims the 2010-present Chevrolet Camaro has inadequate heat shields that fail to protect the starter motor from engine bay heat. The additional heat allegedly puts resistance on the electrical conductors inside the motor, which forces it to use more power than usual to start the engine. This, in turn, can allegedly wear out the motor prematurely. It also says the starter motor issues will typically manifest in hot weather or directly after being driven and that the heating issues can damage the vehicle’s wiring and battery as well.
The 40-page suit also says GM has consistently refused to fix the starter motors under warranty, instead forcing customers to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for the repairs.
“GM’s failure to disclose the starter defect at the time of purchase is material because no reasonable consumer expects to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to repair or replace damaged vehicle components that the manufacturer knows will fail well before the expected useful life of the component and damage other components of the vehicle as well,” the 40-page complaint reads. “Had GM disclosed the starter defect, the plaintiff and class members would not have purchased the class vehicles or would have paid less for them.”
A number of similar owner complaints can be easily located on Chevrolet Camaro enthusiast forums around the web. One Camaro6.com forum user, JReagle56, previously authored a post describing their experiences with their personal Camaro’s starter.
“Had the issue pop up 3 times so far since brand new,” the post reads. “Once right after I got the car. It was a hot August day driving around breaking in the engine, tranny, rear axle and brakes. Returned home and parked the car in garage; had to go right back out a few minutes later; slow turnover, pause and it started. Then again this year. A 2 hr drive to the beach, really hot day, waiting in line to park, stalled car, restart and the starter just barely turned over, started on the 2nd rotation, if a 3rd was needed I don’t think it would have done it. Seems like when the starter is heat soaked something goes wrong.”
This class action is open to any 2010-present Chevrolet Camaro owners or lessees who have experienced these same issues with the vehicle’s starter motor and battery.
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There are several different engines in Camaro’s. The Gen 5 have a V6, V8 and supercharged V8, yes the battery in the trunk is a common denominator to all of them so yes a long cable run to the front will definitely tell if there is any weakness or deficiencies in a battery quick. My question is which engine is having a starter motor problem from the heat of the engine?
I own a 2016 Camaro SS2 and so far, it’s been good to me with no issues. 44k miles.
I have a 2017 camaro with 40 thousand miles and I don’t drive it everyday because I have another car but sometimes when I drive it and push the button to turn it off in park it will not turn off it and shut off but not all the way off and I have to sit there until it goes all the way off and I don’t like that
Idk my wife and i owned a 2012 camaro no starter problems only power steering was leaking around 70,000 miles was all we had trouble with. We traded in on a 2018 couldn’t be happier love the car. Now maybe its the 8 cylinder models that have more starter problems idk. But both our camaro’s with the 3.6 have been outstanding cars specially the 18 RS incredible gas mileage iv saw good as 36 mpg highway and 28 mpg average. That’s impressive for a 335 hp car even driving with a lead foot iv gotten over 30 mpg on highway. Car rides and handles incredibly well just love it. My only complaint is field of view while driving the car could definitely be better.
How do I join the lawsuit? I have a good battery in my garage they can have back. I had the same issue only 2 months after buying my vehicle.
RE: ‘popping the clutch’ on a standard-trans Camaro to start the engine:
With all the sophisticated computer control of every phase of engine/transmission operation in the vehicle, IDK if that’s possible. As an example, some engines require that their computer see oil pressure (as from cranking the engine a few revolutions on startup) before the electric fuel pump in the tank sees power.
If I make the purchase, I ll try it.
This happen to me. Just got one 2011 Carmeo and it want start. Only had it for 6 months. I have to pay out of pocket to fix it
Been having the same problem with my 2014 Camaro SS it’s constantly not starting when it’s hot. thought it was the battery at first changed it and fixed it for a little while but it’s back to where it was. Even tried negative ground wire from body to bell housing. No good!!! Going to try moving it to the starter mount bolt to the frame. Shouldn’t have to wrap the starter. The starter should have come fully capable from the beginning.
Like it or not, some are having issues…
My 2017 2SS had 2 replaced already. I think the 3rd is going out…
I need to search around and see what others have done to heat shield it…
I own a 2016 2SS since new with 33,000 miles on it and every time I stop for gas it hesitates on starting. Raised the issue to the dealer on a couple of occasions and all they say is that GM says that’s normal. I call BS as it’s extremely frustrating. Other than that the car is perfect.
I own a 2010 camaro I’m having issues with the heat shield and I’m sure it’s causing strain on my engine I’ve replaced the timing chain a couple years ago and now I have to replace it again I have trouble starting my car at times have electrical problems and other issues. Especially during the summer ! How do I file a claim ?
my 2017 has the same issue. extremely disappointed in GM
I have 2010 75,000 miles has been doing same thing for 3 years still looking for a solution, we unhook battery for 20min then it starts up but always cranks slow, even with a new battery, How do we get in on lawsuit?
I have an 18 ZL1 and I have starter issues, Car has a little over 32,000 (+) miles on it. I live in Houston sooo…. I Called the Dealership on 11/25/20 and a service advisor advised me to bring the vehicle up there 11/27/20 so they could check it out in the morning. I work at night so, I called the Dealership in the afternoon when I’ve woken up and the service advisor tells me it’s $1,700.00 to replace the starter because i have headers on the car. But what im trying to get at is why do i have to pay for something that’s already an on going problem. I have 2″ Kooks Long Tube Headers an these headers don’t hold heat.
I hope I’m wrong but since u have headers on the engine I bet they tell u that the headers are the cause.
Same here in Australia!!!
2012 Camaro 6.2Ltr starter gets heat soaked after driving one hour
struggles to start after turning off at Gas Station
very slow cranking
I bet there no way they help out here
too far away from GM
I have a 2016 camaro ss, its been to the dealer several times for hard start, no start, had the battery and starter replaced in 2018 and the problem never went away, had another battery replaced in september of this year (2020), still have the same hard start problem after driving 30 miles or more, just ordered a new starter which should be here jan 4th, gonna have it installed with a versa shield and hopefully it works. I called GM complaining about this problem and even offered to show them proof of how many times its been back to the dealership, of course they don’t seem to care.
I hear u brother, I had a problem with a oil solenoid that became unavailable in the entire country all at the same time. I traded the car in on a different car. When the discontinued part finally became available again, I bought one and sent it to Chevrolet. Guess what? they never returned it!!!!!!!
Just got the call from Premier Chevrolet in Buena Park. Apparently, the starter is the issue with my car not starting and apparently with my AC running hot and my car overheating at idle. According to the service adviser, my 2016 Camaro 2SS, the starter is draining and effecting the entire electrical system, not just during the starting process. They had me replace the battery, over $300 stating my battery was not holding a charge and effecting the electrical system. Now apparently, the starter starts the car, but impacts the AC. Costs, over $1,300 to replace a starter, that costs less than $300 and an additional $300 for the battery. Over $1,600 out of pocket, of course not covered under the power train warranty. The car has approximately 26,000 miles and never abused. Now the tech tells me, this may not be what’s causing the AC to run hot. Out of pocket $1,600 and this may not be the issue impacting my AC. Come on Chevrolet. Stand behind your products. Been a Chevrolet guy all of my life, seriously, after my Avalanche dies and this Camaro kicks the bucket, which will be probably be in the next year, these will be my last Chevrolets I’ll even own. Buying Japanese now! GM, your products suck and swallow
I just replaced the starter on my wife’s 2012 SS Camaro. This starter has never sounded right since we owned it, always had a sound like a Chrysler starter from their 60s thru 80s V8s(like the sound the Duke Boys Charger made when it started). Anyway, I replaced it with this relatively inexpensive replacement from Rock Auto by a company called Ultra Power. With tax and shipping, around 73 bucks new, not rebuilt. No core charge or return. Anyway, wow, what a difference this new starter made! The lights are brighter, the heater blower motor is stronger, the windows go up and down faster, the car runs smoother!. And it cranks super fast now, like it should! They sell the original GM starter new at Rock Auto a little over 100 bucks plus tax and shipping if you want OEM, but this Ultra Power one is very impressive. I have used Ultra Power stuff before, and had no issues with their parts. Hope this helps someone.
I can see why. I have the complaint as well. I went to the Chev store and they replaced the battery. I also question the charge system. The starter problem is easy. Cut a hole in the guard below the engine compartment below the starter and alternator to solve the problem. I dont know why GM hasnt done this already. Its a really cheap fix. I think i will do this when the warranty expires..