Lawsuit: Chevrolet Camaro Starter, Heat Shield Causing Problems for Drivers
Last Updated on March 22, 2023
Investigation Complete
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Case Update
- March 21, 2023 - Lawsuit Dismissed
- The lawsuit mentioned below has been voluntarily dismissed by the lead plaintiff. Court documents offer no reason for the dismissal. You can read the stipulation for dismissal here.
If you have any questions about your specific circumstances or are still interested in pursuing legal recourse, we would encourage you to speak with an attorney. Information on how to find an attorney can be found here. - February 7, 2023 - Investigation Closed, Lawsuit Filed
- Thank you to everyone who reached out with information regarding their Camaro starter issues. The investigation is now closed, but at least one lawsuit has been filed. You can find the initial complaint for the lawsuit here.
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who owns or leases a 2016-present Chevrolet Camaro and had issues with the starter.
- What’s Going On?
- A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging that a defect related to the starter and heat shield is causing a host of problems. For instance, drivers have reported that the starter will “just click” or that the engine will crank, but that the car won’t start.
- How a Class Action Could Help
- A class action lawsuit could help drivers get money back for repairs and force General Motors (GM) to find a fix for the problem.
A class action lawsuit has been filed alleging a defect in the certain Chevrolet Camaros is causing a host of issues related to the starter that have led a countless number of drivers to complain that their cars won’t start.
The suit is looking to force General Motors (GM) to recall the cars, offer a fix for the starter issue and reimburse drivers for repair costs.
What’s the Problem with the Starters?
The class action lawsuit is alleging that the starters and heat shielding in certain Chevy Camaros were defectively designed and improperly installed. Specifically, the suit claims the heat shields in the vehicles cannot properly protect the starter and surrounding components from absorbing heat, which can cause the starter to burn out.
As a result, drivers are experiencing instances in which their cars won’t start – especially in hot weather or just after driving. Oftentimes, the starter will click or the engine will crank, but the car still won’t turn on.
Other problems reported in connection with the starter issue include:
- Damaged or melted wires, specifically those running to and from the starter
- Faster-than-normal battery depletion
- Engine trouble (caused by the starter getting stuck in a position that damages other engine components)
The starter and heat shield issue may also cause problems with a car’s electrical system.
This is particularly concerning, the lawsuit says, as electrical system problems could cause the car to lose power while in motion and increase the driver’s risk of a collision. A dangerous situation could also arise if a driver is left stranded because his or her vehicle won’t start.
What Are Drivers Saying About the Starter Problem?
The following is a sample of complaints posted online by Chevy Camaro drivers regarding the starter issue [sic throughout]:
My 2017 2SS has been intermittently acting like it’s not going to start….but it always has. It’s like it keeps cranking itself until it does. It’s about one in every 5-10 starts, but always freaks me out. Took it to the dealer in 2019, had tests ran and they just threw a new battery in it and said I was good. But it kept working fine UNNTILLLLL today. Dead. Cranked twice. Once. Click click. Codes galore. Some guy helped me jump it from 3 different spots and after 40 minutes it randomly started.”
— 2017 Camaro 2SS driver, ChelleBell333, Reddit.com
So it’s a 2016 SS. It runs great. No issues. Sometimes when I start it, the starter sounds like it’s having a hard time. The cranking sound will get super slow and even pause for a second in total silence mid crank then turn the motor over. It’s never failed to start and the battery is new. Dealer said that’s just how it is. Is this normal? It makes me nervous sometimes thinking that it will fail to start.”
— 2016 Camaro SS, BayStreet510, Camaro6.com
So this is the second starter that has been installed on my 16 ss. Now, this starter is starting to do the same thing as my first one did after 2 months of running great. When the new starter was installed my car would crank up in no time half a second now it takes about 2, have you all experienced this issue with your cars and if you have what should I do. I remember having this discussion a while back and someone said I should wrap my starter in this sort of heat blocking wrap but who knows”
— 2016 Camaro SS driver, Lampslife, Camaro6.com
Had the issue pop up 3 times so far since brand new…once right after I got the car. it was a hot august day driving around breaking in the engine, tranny, rear axle and brakes. Returned home and parked the car in garage; had to go right back out a few minutes later; slow turn over, pause and it started…Then again this year. A 2hr drive to the beach, really hot day, waiting in line to park, stalled car, restart and the starter just barely turned over, started on the 2nd rotation, if a 3rd was needed I don't think it would have done it. Seems like when the starter is heat soaked something goes wrong.”
— 2016 2SS M6 driver, jreagle56, Camaro6.com
According to the class action lawsuit, GM is “well aware” of the starter problem from warranty information, calls to its customer service hotline and dealer audits. Despite possessing this information, however, GM continues to conceal the defect and place the blame on bad batteries and how drivers are caring for their vehicles, the suit says.
When a car is still under warranty, GM is believed to instruct its dealers to replace the starter, wiring and any other damaged components. Unfortunately, because no improvement has been made to the heat shield, the same problems are likely to recur – often outside the warranty period – forcing drivers to spend thousands of dollars in repair costs.
How a Lawsuit Could Help
A class action lawsuit could help drivers get back the money they spent repairing their vehicles. It could also force GM to recall the cars and offer a fix.
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