A class-action lawsuit has been filed against General Motors in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia over an alleged airbag problem involving the fifth-generation Chevy Camaro.
This class-action suit alleges the front passenger airbags in the 2010 and 2011 model year Chevy Camaro will switch off even when an adult is in the passenger seat, Car Complaints reports. The problem can apparently be traced back to the front passenger side presence sensor pads, which are prone to tearing. The suit alleges GM knew the pads were prone to tearing and issued an alert to the seat supplier in 2009 to address the problem before introducing a redesigned sensor pad in the vehicle in late 2010.
The automaker also issued technical service bulletins for the issue back in 2009 and 2010. These TSBs indicated that some customers complained the airbag readiness sensor light would illuminate on the dash, warning them the passenger side airbag was turned off even when an adult was positioned in the seat. For this reason, the class-action suit says GM was aware of the issues with the sensor pad and should have issued a safety recall for affected vehicles.
The plaintiff in this class action proceeding purchased a 2011 Chevy Camaro back in January of 2012, but says he would not have done so if he knew the passenger side airbag would malfunction seven years later in May of 2019. The plaintiff says the airbag light illuminated and the airbag indicator light read “Off” when an adult passenger was in the seat, prompting him to bring the car to a GM dealer in November 2020. He paid $163.86 to have the problem diagnosed, with the dealer then suggesting he replace the passenger seat pad sensor and module at a cost of $1,799. The plaintiff instead purchased the relevant parts online for $667.55 and had a local mechanic install them for $300.
This class action suit involves 2010-2011 Chevy Camaro cars leased or purchased by any consumers in the United States outside the state of California.
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Comments
Isn’t a problem with a malfunctioning airbag more of a safety recall then just the issuance of a technical service bulletin?
The New GM is really the Old GM! This should not have happened and should be fixed at NC TO THE Customer!
Safety was not one of the reasons I purchased my Camaro!
I accept responsibility for the vehicle I drive.
If something wears I get it fixed.
7 years at 12k a year = 84k miles.
Things will wear out eventually.
Difference between normal wear and faulty design
Have a 2015 2SS bought used at 27K, has 30K now. Experience the wind vibration problem with drivers window down, gets fixed by cracking the sun roof a little. And a little vibration cross wind sometimes window/sun roof closed. Think because the car is so slippery. Am wondering if some window louvers back passenger window might help to fix. Can get them Summit, not a bad price. Just a suggestion.
How about a class action lawsuit that really matters… like the leaking heater cores and broken blend doors?
This is a serious safety issue that should have been corrected at dealer-level on a ‘No Charge’ basis. Plaintiff(s) should request a jury trial; GM will then likely settle out-of-court.
I have a 2010 RS love it no complaints @ 105 ,376 miles , I wouldn’t trade it for anything…only thing replaced was the normal sensors and tires…..so far so good…knock on wood
Simple fix, just buy an older Camaro without airbags.
Older Camaros without airbags were SAFER cause they had more metal no bags to go off every time you tap the bumper.