Suit: Older GM Vehicle Wipers Are Faulty

[Perian]

This is not something I would normally post.

However, last November, my father spent $465 having the windshield wipers fixed on his 2002 Impala. For some reason, they came to rest in the middle of the windshield when turned off. Dealer told him not to worry - they knew exactly what to do. They advised that he was far from the first with this problem. I have seen other GM cars driving around with the wipers in this "rest" position.

Article quote:

By Kelly Wiese, Associated Press Writer

Suit Claims Windshield Wipers on Older GM Vehicles Are Faulty; Automaker Should've Expanded Recall

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A federal lawsuit claims the windshield wipers on millions of older General Motors Corp. vehicles are defective and that the automaker should have recalled 7.5 million trucks, vans and sport-utility vehicles instead of 1.7 million vehicles.

Jefferson City couple Timothy and Gloria Owen, the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit, say they repaired their 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe in October 2004 for about $92, after the wipers failed during a storm, and GM refused to reimburse their cost. The suit seeks class-action status.

A GM spokeswoman said Tuesday she didn't think the company had reviewed the lawsuit and so had no immediate comment.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in Jefferson City and announced Tuesday by attorneys, claims GM "demonstrated a conscious disregard for the safety and well-being" of people still using those vehicles.

The suit asks a court to require GM to recall vehicles that still need repairs and to reimburse repair costs.

In 2003, GM recalled 1.7 million vehicles to replace windshield wiper circuit boards and motor covers. GM said at the time that the faulty wipers had not resulted in any fatalities. That recall was an extension of a windshield wiper replacement program GM conducted in 1998.

[Infiniti Z350]

Doesn't a class-action suit mean each of these defendants are going to get like...a dollar (if that) for their trouble?

[asim]

Do we always have to get in lawsuits?

[ChevyOptra5]

Is it just me, but unless the fault caused serious damage or injury, i can't see myself getting involved in a class action suit over something like $92, even $495, especially after 5 or so years down the road.

[bhoppes]

I have seen the same problem, but not on that many vehicles. I have 20 aunts and uncles and they have LeSabres, Impalas, Intrigues, and everything in between and none of them have this problem.

[chevydlrmn]

ooh, it cost $92. let's sue GM. bite me

[rmodys]

Originally Posted by Infiniti Z350

Doesn't a class-action suit mean each of these defendants are going to get like...a dollar (if that) for their trouble?

Totally worth it... Wait a second, no it's not.

[CobaltSScrazy]

thats rediculous...if no fatalities resulted from the product than NO LAWSUIT should be filed. On the other hand, thats poor customer service on GM's part to not "fix" a 92$ repair when they could have easily satisfied their current (but probably not future customer) this is just another reason why people buy toyotas, hondas. (and saturns)

[Chronos97]

Asim comment cracks me up..."do we always have to get lawsuits"...yes...yes we do. =)

[1G6]

Originally Posted by chevydlrmn

ooh, it cost $92. let's sue GM. bite me

Screw the leeches, screw the lawyers. Oh, wait - they're one and the same.

Add them to the list of entities destroying this country.

[tom3]

About any class action suit, the people get a coupon or discount on something they won't buy, the lawyers get 800 dollars an hour for whatever hours they can dream up. If you are truly wronged, get a lawyer and file suit yourself. Or don't.

[IMPALAon20s]

only problem i ever had with wipers on my w-body was a clogged nozzle.

[Highlander]

OK... the next time something breaks on my 89 Grand Prix (which has been out of warranty for 14 years or so) I'm going to sue GM because they're irresponsible and something broke.
Let's see. It's commom for the rubber o-ring to fail where the distributor would have been given mine is a distributorless ignition)... I'm going to sue GM for that repair..... and the tires wore out... darn GM for being so irresponsible. I'll sue them for that too!!!

Granted, GM should have stepped up to the plate and done a bit of goodwill and good PR by taking care of the problem (if the cars were in warranty or maybe even double the warranty period if its something a bit prone to premature wear/failure, but where does this crap end?

Also, my brother has a 98 GTP and no issues with those wipers to date....

[DU Biggs]

I have seen a number of impalas driving around with thier wipers in this position, but as long as they still wipe when told i dont see how it could be worth a law suit.

[Gm786]

Intresting... Hmm... Well I have never encountered or had that kind of problem with any GM vehicle. Strange.