C7 Corvette Cracked Wheels Lawsuit Allowed To Proceed
134
Sponsored Links
A class-action lawsuit filed against General Motors over issues related to the cast alloy wheels on certain C7 Corvette Grand Sport and C7 Corvette Z06 models has been allowed to proceed after the automaker sought to have the suit thrown out.
This lawsuit was filed against GM in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and includes 18 plaintiffs. These owners claim the cast alloy wheels on 2015-2019 model year C7 Corvette Z06 and 2017-2019 model year C7 Corvette Grand Sport cars are prone to warping, deforming and cracking. The plaintiffs also say they have had to pay $1,000 or more to replace wheels once they bend, but the replacement wheels are equally as defective as the originals that came with their vehicle. This suit is one of a handful that has been filed against GM over this widespread issue in the past couple of years.
GM sought to have this lawsuit dismissed as the wheel defects mentioned in the suit are apparently a design defect rather than a manufacturing defect, and are thus not covered by the vehicle’s factory warranty. The automaker also says the problem is not its fault, placing blame on the owners for their driving style and for running over large potholes. Additionally, GM told the judge that certain plaintiffs’ cars were not within their factory warranty period when the cars were brought to dealerships for repairs, according to Car Complaints, nullifying their claims.
Despite this, the judge is allowing the case against GM to proceed. The judge also ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor regarding claims related to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which GM attempted to have thrown out as there were are not the usual required 100 plaintiffs in the case. The case is allowed to move ahead based on claims related to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, express and implied warranty, consumer protection and injunctive relief.
Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter has previously addressed this widespread issue, even providing feedback to owners in an online forum discussing the matter. Juechter said in the post that pressure cracks can form in the wheel if the driver hits potholes and other deformities on the road, which can then weaken the wheel and cause it to bend and warp as they drive down the road.
“Since it is hundreds or thousands of miles after the damaging event, the driver often can’t remember hitting anything that would justify a crack in the wheel,” Juechter said in the post. “I have actually experienced this myself.”
We’ll provide an update on this latest C7 Corvette wheel lawsuit as it moves through the courts.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Sponsored Links
I own a 2019 Grand Sport. I just turned 20,000 miles and i know have yet another cracked rim. This is the 3rd one. I will admit that i have indeed hit potholes, But they were potholes not craters, however if chevy wants to sell any corvettes in Colorado that is an inherant part of our road system and im not happy at all about buying a car thatll easy do 200 mph but a wheel may crack. What has to happen, do i have to be in a wreck to get them to take responsibility. I also own a 2002 Vette and guess what, “wait for it”, I’ve “never” had a cracked wheel and the road conditions are the same. Shame on Corvette for not stepping up. They blame it on a design flaw, but the design is theirs correct. At least they approved the design but evidently didnt do their homework. Their engineers shirk responsibility but its their job to make certian that what they charged me $100K to buy is safe If i were the competion i would highlight that to the enth degree.
Corvette has become a very mediocre car at best. Thats too bad because i grew up with them around. Get with the program corvette and replace the wheels with something that wont crack.
Well said, I have a 2018 Z06 with 6700 miles right front has been cracked Gm will do nothing. When it blows apart and someone gets killed then they will have to pay.They know that this is a known defect and still do nothing about it. My neighbor has a 2016 Z06 same problem, same non result.
Im from Ontario Canada, Im on my 3rd right rear rim on the Z06. It would be cheaper if I just ran a set of mickey thompsons with tons of air than to keep this up
Same problem, two cracked rear wheels….No response from GM with 12,000 miles….
2018 Z06. 2cracked wheels, 6700 miles no response from GM either
how do I join in the lawsuit. I have a 2016 Z06 that has 3 cracked rims at 11,000 miles.
Guess this will be my last Vette.
Replaced mine with fully forged wheels. Haven’t had a problem since. This problem has been going on for at least 15 years. I reported mine problem to the national transportation Association, and they are absolutely worthless, as is General Motors on the situation.
I traded my 2017 Z06 to the local Cadillac dealer with new 3 piece forged rims. The first thing they asked was if I had the original rims and I replied “yes”. They didn’t ask if they were cracked and I didn’t volunteer any more info. After 3 months they couldn’t tell me when the Blackwing I ordered was scheduled to be made. Asked for and received the trade in money since they sold my Zo6. Went straight to Tesla and bought an S Plaid. Totally better car for less cost. 1020 HP and 1050 ft lbs of instant torque. $0.06 per mile to drive. Undefeated stoplight to stoplight.
Had a problem with 1 door handle and Tesla came to my house and fixed it under warranty. Try that with any Ford or GM car. Paid for the S Plaid by phone in an hour, not the 4 hour GM sales runaround I’ve put up with for years.
i also have a 2019 grand sport and have a cracked back rim 3 places and only 22000 miles,i feel cheated ,ive bought after markets that lasted forever,i would like to get on that class action.
I just picked up my 2019 grand sport from dealership today due to rear wheel rim cracked. My 3rd time since June 2022
All 3 have been the rear rims. 14200 miles when first one ( left RR ) occurred – then 3 months later other side rear came up cracked. Now with 32700 miles the left rear again-
SID
I have a 2016 C7 Z06. 11,000 MI–1 CRACKED RIM
At 14,000. 3 Cracked
2016 C-7. Z06
11K MILES= 1 CRACKED WHEEL
14K MILES = 2 MORE FOR A TOTAL OF 3 RIMS
LAWSUIT CONTACT PLEASE!
I’m glad to see GM finally addressed this issue. I received a letter from Analytics Consulting LLC on July 31, 2024 regarding the Corvette Wheels Limited Special Reimbursement Program. If wheel damage was not due to road damage / pothole, etc., and you have proof of replacement (receipt) within 4 years or 48,000 miles, GM will reimburse you. I hope this helps many of you.
Corvette Wheels Limited Special Reimbursement Program
c/o Analytics Consulting LLC
P.O. Box 2010
Chanhassen, MN 55317-2010
I received the letter as well. I have had two cracked wheels on my 2017 GS, both after the warranty had expired. I purchased two OEM wheels and had them replaced at a trusted tire dealer not the local GM dealer. The dealer has since gone out of business so I can pretty much kiss any chance of reimbursement goodbye.
I’ll submit my purchase receipts anyway and see where it goes. I did however keep both wheels so that May account for something.