A new lawsuit alleges a defect affecting all GM trucks and SUVs with a certain airbag system beginning with model year 1999. This would include the Astro, Silverado, Tahoe, and Trailblazer.
According to the complaint, the airbag control unit—the Sensing and Diagnostic Module, or SDM—is “essentially a computer dedicated to the airbag and seatbelt system.” This system determines when to deploy the airbags in the event of a crash. However, the SDM in the affected vehicles has a software defect, such that the airbags will not deploy after a certain window of time passes, despite further impacts or collisions. Thus, the complaint concludes, the alleged defect “deprives consumers of life-saving protection.”
The plaintiffs claim they would not have bought their 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2012 Chevrolet Silverados had they known of the alleged defect. They allege the defendants, including GM, have knowledge of the alleged defect via consumer complaints, individual lawsuits, and GM’s own investigations into crashes involving failed deployment of airbags and seatbelts.
The plaintiffs raise claims including fraud by concealment, unjust enrichment, breach of warranty, and violation of state consumer laws. They seeks remedies including requiring GM to institute a program to repair or replace the SDM system or buy back affected vehicles, as well as damages.
The case is Endress et al. v. General Motors LLC, et al., case number 2:21-cv-15508, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
