Suits & Settlements: The Car Pro Legal Roundup

• Owners Claim GM Window Defect Lets Water Into Vehicles
• Subaru Sued Over Alleged Phantom Braking Defect
• GM Truck Owners Press for Recall Data in Engine Lawsuit
• Consumers Score Early Win in GM Brake Litigation

Owners Claim GM Window Defect Lets Water Into Vehicles. A proposed class action filed in California federal court alleges that certain 2019 and 2020 General Motors vehicles contain a defect that allows water to leak through rear window assemblies and into the cabin, potentially damaging interior components and electrical systems, according to Law360. Plaintiffs claim GM knew about the alleged defect through customer complaints, warranty claims and technical service records but failed to adequately disclose the issue to buyers. The lawsuit seeks damages and other relief for owners of affected vehicles and alleges the leaks can result in mold, corrosion and expensive repairs. GM has not yet responded to the allegations in court. The case joins a growing list of automotive class actions centered on water intrusion issues, which often lead to claims involving electrical failures and diminished vehicle value.

Subaru Sued Over Alleged Phantom Braking Defect. Subaru is facing a proposed class-action lawsuit in New Jersey federal court alleging defects in the automaker's EyeSight pre-collision braking system can cause vehicles to brake unexpectedly without an actual hazard present, according to Law360. The complaint covers certain Legacy, Outback, Ascent and Crosstrek models and alleges sudden braking events can create dangerous traffic situations and increase the risk of rear-end collisions. Plaintiffs claim Subaru knew of the issue through consumer complaints and service records but failed to provide an adequate fix. The lawsuit seeks damages and other relief, while Subaru has not admitted wrongdoing.

GM Truck Owners Press for Recall Data in Engine Lawsuit. Owners of General Motors trucks equipped with L87 V-8 engines are asking a Michigan federal judge to force GM to produce studies analyzing the fuel-economy impact of the automaker's recall remedy, according to Law360. Plaintiffs contend the information could help determine whether the recall fix affects performance and fuel economy differently than GM has publicly stated. The request is part of ongoing litigation involving allegations that certain L87 engines contain defects that can lead to engine failure. Truck owners argue the documents could narrow disputed issues and test GM's claims that any fuel-economy impact from the repair is negligible. GM has maintained its recall remedy adequately addresses the issue. This discovery fight is significant because it could shape how much information automakers must disclose when a recall repair may alter vehicle performance characteristics.

Consumers Score Early Win in GM Brake Litigation. General Motors has lost an early attempt to move a proposed class-action lawsuit out of court and into arbitration, with a Pennsylvania federal judge ruling that vehicle owners may continue pursuing claims alleging GM knowingly sold vehicles with defective braking systems, according to Law360. The plaintiffs claim certain GM vehicles suffer from brake-related defects that can reduce braking performance and create safety concerns. GM argued that at least some claims should be handled through arbitration agreements, but the court found the plaintiffs had sufficiently alleged defect claims and could continue litigating in federal court. While the ruling does not determine whether the vehicles are actually defective, it is a significant procedural win for consumers because class actions often become much more difficult to pursue once claims are forced into arbitration. The lawsuit remains in its early stages, and GM continues to deny wrongdoing. Legal experts say the decision could influence how automakers use arbitration provisions in future vehicle defect litigation, particularly when safety-related claims are involved.

Photo: ChatGPT Plus/CarPro.