Chevrolet, GMC Truck Owners Could Get Cash Payment From $35 Million Settlement

Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups built at Flint Assembly are parked on Sept. 21, 2021. Jake May/ AP Photo

Owners of certain Chevrolet and GMC trucks may be eligible for cash payments from a $35 million settlement reached with General Motors (GM) over claims regarding a faulty engine component.

The class action lawsuit centers around diesel-powered trucks fitted with the 6.6-liter Duramax engine, which came with a Bosch-supplied CP4 high-pressure fuel injection pump alleged to be “unreasonably fragile and prone to catastrophic failure.”

According to the 2019 complaint, these fuel pumps rely on the fuel itself for lubrication but are designed for European diesel, which contains less water and has better lubricity than U.S. diesel. This mismatch can cause CP4 pumps to wear down, shedding metal fragments into the fuel and ultimately destroying the fuel injection system and engine.

The 2019 suit, filed in a federal court in Michigan, accused GM of knowingly selling vehicles with flaws that could leave drivers with hefty repair bills.

The failure of a CP4 pump requires repair or replacement of the entire high-pressure fuel system, including the pump, fuel injectors, fuel rails, and injection lines, according to the complaint.

“Repair costs when a CP4 pump fails average between $8,000 and $20,000,” the complaint states.

As part of the proposed settlement announced on Oct. 1, GM denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to pay $35 million to resolve the claims.

The settlement benefits owners of 2011–2016 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra diesel trucks equipped with a 6.6-liter Duramax engine and a Bosch CP4 fuel pump. Eligible purchases must have been made from GM-authorized dealers in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, or Texas between March 1, 2010, and Sept. 13, 2024.

Once approved by a judge, the settlement calls for $30 million to go to those who paid for CP4 repairs out of their own pockets, with compensation ranging from $6,356 to $12,712, depending on how many other people also file a claim.

The remaining $5 million will be distributed among those who no longer own their trucks and didn’t repair the pumps at their own expense. Depending on the number of claims, the amount is expected to range from $400 to $800.

The settlement also establishes a 12-month warranty extension to cover 50 percent of future repair costs for trucks with less than 200,000 miles. These payments may be about $5,000 but will vary depending on the actual repair costs.

To get the cash payment, eligible drivers must file a claim online or by mail within six months of the final approval date, which could be as early as July 21, 2025. The deadline to opt out of the settlement or file an objection with the court is Dec. 12, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025.