General Motors has been hit with a class-action lawsuit over claims that it misled consumers by installing the incorrect trailering information labels in certain 2020 model year Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks.
The class-action lawsuit, which was in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, names a plaintiff who purchased a 2020 GMC Siera 1500 new from General Motors. The plaintiff allegedly believed his truck had a maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 16,800 pounds, as the owner’s manual advises customers to consult the trailering information label in order not to exceed the maximum combined weight rating.
According to Car Complaints, General Motors later sent the plaintiff a letter as part of a service update that indicated his truck was fitted with an incorrect trailering information label that misstated the vehicle’s GCWR by 1,800 pounds. The letter also contained the right trailering information label and instructions on how to properly place the sticker on the inside of the driver’s side doorjamb. As a result, the plaintiff alleges they were misled with regard to the towing capabilities of their 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 due to the presence of this incorrect trailering information label.
General Motors has issued multiple service updates to replace incorrect trailering information labels on certain truck and SUV models this year, including two separate service updates for the 2020 model year Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. The automaker began using VIN-specific trailering labels for certain vehicles in 2019, which include the truck’s gross vehicle weight rating, gross combined weight rating, curb weight, maximum payload and other information pertinent to the vehicle’s towing performance.
The Florida class action lawsuit over this issue is open to all current and former owners and lessees of 2020 model year GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups.
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Comments
This is exactly what is wrong with this country! Ambulance chasers and sue-happy consumers just looking for an easy and quick buck.
The moron who started this class-action lawsuit purchased a 1500!! Please tell me anyone with a brain who would get a 1500 and to tow anything close to that much? Either the 15,000 or 16,800 lbs total, you don’t buy the half ton trucks if you are towing that much.
Moron. I hope this case gets tossed out on it’s arse.
Dan’s got his f450 towing his golf cart due to his inadequate thought process… half tons are much more capable than they were 10-15 years ago..
Brennan: You must be real special. First, I don’t have a truck at all and I’m not stupid. Would not buy a heavy duty truck to haul something small like that. Just like I wouldn’t be stupid enough to use a half ton truck to haul loads that heavy duty trucks are meant to haul. You see, I understand the dangers posed by morons who think they can use a light duty truck for the loads too big for them. So maybe that 1500 is much more capable than 10-15 years ago. Doesn’t make it right or safe and it’s not just about pulling.
So what you’re saying is that even if it’s rated from the manufacturer to tow heavy it’s not okay? Some half tons are rated for what 12k? That’s a pretty heavy load.
Ultimately there’s people that shouldn’t be towing what their 1 tons are rated for either..
Brennan: Where exactly did you read that I said anything close to that? Your comments are really stretching to make some point, I just have no clue what your point is. My entire post/s is/are about
1. Ambulance chasers looking for a quick buck.
2. Morons not properly towing and/or using the correctly rated trucks for the loads they tow.
Your last sentence I will 100% agree with. Way too many people out on the roads towing stuff they should NEVER be towing, no matter what they are using.
GVWR includes truck wright, so subtract about 5200ish from that.
Or maybe the problem is that some people think it is ok to pay $60k for a truck that is incorrectly labeled. Incompetance in the business world usually comes at a price.
JWL: And you are perfect? Got it. You don’t make mistakes. You must be an attorney.
Its not about making mistakes, its how they are handled. Companies rarely “do the right thing” when they make mistakes. It is the threat of monetary loss that makes them do the right thing. GM knew the batteries on the Bolt were suspect for years and it wasn’t until houses started to burn down did they do anything. How many years did GM know about the faulty springs in valves on the 5.3 engine and nothing was done until a class action suite was filed. The fact is, GM isn’t going to make it “right” out of the goodness of their heart, it comes down to dollars and cents.
Possibly a mistake on the assembly line, or even by the label manufacturer. I remember when a manufacturer sent GM 20k headlights that had the EU DOT logo on them instead of USDOT. Nobody noticed until they were almost all used. Whose fault? Thing is when you build 40 million vehicles annually with 12,000 parts on each one some mistakes will happen.
Peaky Blinker: Well said. Totally correct.
Having a GCWR rating of 15,000 or 16,800 doesn’t mean you can tow that much. GCWR is the Total Combined Weight Rating of the truck / passengers / fuel / payload / trailer all added together that is allowed on public roads. If you are trying to tow based on GCWR as trailer weight, whether a 1500 or a 6500, you are going to be way over weight.
Duane E: I can only wish there were more people out on our roads that understood like you do.
When I was selling at a Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep store back in 2004, Dodge made every sales person learn and take tests on proper towing. In fact (at least at that time), Dodge had a form that had to be signed by the customer and the dealership that signed off on the customer knowing and understanding the towing limits for the truck they were buying/leasing. Basically, is was just a way for Dodge to CYA for when some of the morons buying those trucks attempted to tow well over the limits for that truck. If/when there was an accident, and if/when the owner would attempt (or any third-party would attempt) to come after Dodge, they would pull out that mandatory signed form and hand a copy over to the ambulance chasers. Point being? If you are buying/leasing a truck, know the correct limits and follow them. You are responsible.
Dan B: I learned some of it as a career firefighter in the 70s -90s and then owning a business for 25 years. Now I get to put it to use selling commercial trucks (Chevy, GMC, RAM, Ford, Sprinter).
It never ceases to amaze me how many customers have no concept of what the GVW or GCW of their vehicles means or how it affects them. But I love coming to work and playing with trucks every day.
That being said, I typically start my December off with 125 Chevy / 50 Ford / 25 RAM and sell most of it by the end of the year. This year we started December with 2 Chevy / 5 Ford / 3 RAM and a handful of Sprinter vans.
Ford is also getting hit with a lawsuit over the similar mislabeling of 2020 Super Dutys.
Probably by the same law firm.
Unless there’s more to their argument than what’s in this article and the linked article, I’m not sure they are going to get anything. I don’t even see anywhere what they are seeking in damages. But you have to show you were materially damaged by this to get compensation. For example, resale value went down by $500/truck. Or the trucks were damaged by towing too much weight, resulting in an average of $1000 repair per truck. While frustrating as an owner, I would be surprised if they are awarded anything by the courts.
Why even argue about it change the stickers and move on damn
Agree 100%. It’s a “freakin” sticker. Are you kidding me? Seroiusly. Gimme a break…and get a life!
Over the years I have been involved in lots of class action lawsuits. I get these notices – lawyers got $23 mm, lawyers got $75 mm, I, as a member of the class, got $2.75 or $3.25 and a coupon to get a free cookie next time I buy. Sure showed em, somebody has to pay for incompetence or deliberate negligence. Right now I have a postcard telling me of a settlement in some class action against Zoom that should net me $1.11.
I have done a fair bit of towing and on the rare occasions when I was at the fringes of what the truck was rated for it was unpleasant.
I bought a 2021 Silverado 2500HD . When I bought it I was told it could tow 18500 5th wheel. We’ll the sticker said other wise come to find out. I was able to return the truck and every one at the dealership was stumped as well. All their 2500 trucks on the lot had a reduced GVWR of 10500 pounds . These stickers are bitting GM in the ass.
Huge difference between 1500 pounds and 8000,
Nope, you’re wrong. A 10500 GVWR for a 2500 HD is normal, it’s actually on the high end of the range. Depending on the configuration, a 10500 GVWR should handle a gooseneck up to 18510.
It sounds like you’re confusing GVWR and GCWR. The GCWR of these trucks is 24,000-27500 lbs.
Anyway, if you wanted a 18500 5th wheel, first you should have reviewed the trailering guide, and then you should have gotten a 3500 for a bit more margin.
Buddy my truck has a GVWR 11350 the first truck I was sold had one of 10500 look up the specs. Who would have think they would down rate trucks on purpose so contractors don’t have to have a CDl in some states look into it. I’m telling you I left the whole dealership stumped their whole lot was full of down rated trucks . I agree I should have done more research. The dealer thought they could print out a new sticker and all is good not the case. Google search it their lots of people that where sold these t trucks and if they have an accident that sticker will screw them the trucks are no less capable .
In Florida a commercial vehicle with a GCWR of 26001 pounds requires a CDL . That’s why they lower the GVWR so as not to need a CDL . My tucks specs are
GVWR 11350
GCWR 27500
Max 5th wheel 18500
Max conventional trailer 18500
And if GM sent me a letter lowering that I would sue them too it would make my truck a dud.
Incorrect. You’re confused. The derate option on HDs is 10,000 GVWR. That is because 10,001 GVWR triggers CMV requirements (DOT numbers, different license class in some states).
Because your GVWR was over 10,000 lbs, there was no derate applied to your truck. You got the full weights, which is determined as a function of engine, wheel option, 4WD, and bed/cab selection. You simply bought the wrong one.
Sam exact trucks same exact engine XMSN different stickers is the bottom line. Happy with my new one tows my 15k 5th wheel with out any issues.. I get a letter saying other wise I want a refund or we are going to court..
You are confusing GVWR, trailer weight, and GCWR. Gross vehicle is just the vehicle itself. Gross combined is the truck and trailer. A 2500 series should have a GVWR of around 10,000lbs and be able to pull about an 18,000 lb trailer. So it would have GCWR of 28,000lbs. But this all depends on your options. Gas/ Diesel, 2WD or 4wd, reg or ext cab, axle ratio, etc.
Why do they keep laying to them selfs ?
that cheap rusty heavy steel is not the Ford fully aluminum body , just write advice on labels to buy a FORD or the new Toyota if you want to tow , this one is barely towing its self.
I tried to tow about 7000 lbs on a hill with a 2021 5.3L 4WD Suburban, and had overheating issues in engine and transmission , with multiple warning massages to pull off followed that a heartbreaking lifters noise on next day morning start 🙁
Either you are lying or you aren’t mentioning the 6 people and 2 tons of crap for the camping trip stuffed in every corner. A Toyota won’t out-tow anything and the Ford isn’t as light as you would be led to believe. I call BS!
Maybe he had 6000 lb boat on a 2500 lb trailer…and 1200 lb passengers and 500 lb cargo lofl
GM Authority in one of them from December 2021, it said that the Silverado 1500 had a $4000.00 rebate. I have looked on line and it does not say that. What is the rebate for December?
The cost for lawyers is getting expensive and all it does is adds cost to new vehicles. If it is ever settled the lawyers will get a few million and plaintiffs will get $5 off an oil change.
The second element of Rotary International’s Four Way Test should be applied to this lawsuit.
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
TEST: if no damage or harm occurred this lawsuit is meritless and frivolous.
GM provided notice and replacement of towing capacity sticker.
TEST: Was the vehicle damaged or anybody harmed?
If so, restitution needs to be provided.
Lastly, rational logic applied would indicate incorrect towing weight capacity.
GM needs to pay more attention to detail.
Users should have a performance awareness.
Could someone help direct me to the Attorney representing (Law suit against GM) costumer that have bought a Chevy Equinox (2020) & Vacuum Pump has gone out twice ..
Of course they are always in Florida