GM Might Owe You $500 If Your Car Got Stuck In Park

  • GM settles class action over faulty gear selectors in Ohio and Tennessee.
  • Due to the fault, owners can be prevented from turning off their vehicles.
  • Eligible owners may also receive up to $375 for repair reimbursements.

After years of grumbling drivers and legal back-and-forth, the saga over General Motors’ finicky gear selectors has finally landed at a conclusion, or at least a paycheck for some.

The General has reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning an alleged problem with gear selectors across several of its models. The agreement, which applies only to owners or lessees in Ohio and Tennessee, could result in payments of up to $500, along with reimbursement for certain repair costs.

Eligibility hinges on whether the owner experienced the so-called “Shift to Park” issue and sought repairs at a GM dealership while the vehicle was still under warranty.

A Common Frustration

The settlement, recently approved by a federal judge, consolidates lawsuits from Ohio and Tennessee. Plaintiffs claimed that some GM vehicles failed to recognize when the transmission was shifted into Park, causing a persistent “Shift to Park” warning message. This fault allegedly prevented drivers from turning off the vehicle and locking it properly.

Read: Class Action Claims Select GM Models Don’t Shift Into Park Properly

Rather than taking the case to trial, GM opted to settle the lawsuit, a route often chosen in similar disputes. Notably, the company was able to do so without admitting any fault.

Through the settlement, people who have purchased or leased a 2017-2019 GMC Acadia, 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, 2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, or 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt in Ohio will be eligible for a $500 cash payment.

Likewise, individuals who purchased or leased a new 2017–2019 GMC Acadia, 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, 2016–2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 2018–2019 Chevrolet Traverse, or 2016–2019 Chevrolet Volt in Ohio may receive a $500 cash payment. Finally, those who purchased or leased a new 2017–2018 GMC Acadia in Tennessee also qualify for the settlement under the same terms.

GM Might Owe You $500 If Your Car Got Stuck In Park

Payments and Reimbursements

Alongside the $500 cash payment, class members who covered repair costs themselves are entitled to reimbursement of up to $375. GM already holds records for some owners who paid for these repairs at dealerships or service centers.

The $500 payment will be divided equally among individuals who jointly owned or leased a qualifying vehicle, meaning co-owners and co-lessees will share the same payout rather than each receiving the full amount.

In addition to the broader payouts, the two lead plaintiffs, Rilla Jefferson and Mark Riley, will each pocket $10,000 for their efforts. And, true to form, the lawyers representing affected owners won’t be leaving empty-handed either; in fact, they will receive a handsome payment totaling $2.035 million for their work.

GM Might Owe You $500 If Your Car Got Stuck In Park

The Auto World

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