Class Action Lawsuit Claims Certain 2019-2020 Chevy, GMC Vehicles Suffer From Leaky Rear Window Defect

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that General Motors has concealed a dangerous defect in certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles that render the rear sliding glass windows susceptible to water intrusion, which could lead to mold growth and electrical problems.

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The 16-page lawsuit asserts that General Motors has actively concealed the rear sliding window defect in model year 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, 2019-2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD trucks.

The suit explains that the affected vehicles’ rear window consists of fixed glass and a sliding glass, with the window frame made of plastic and sealed with urethane. Per the case, the rear sliding window seal can crack or leak, allowing water intrusion and causing damage to the vehicles’ structure, materials and indoor environment.

According to the complaint, water leaks can cause hazardous conditions, such as unfettered mold growth, which can cause physical harm to a vehicle’s occupants, and electrical failure. The filing says that it is critical for automotive manufacturers to design “robust” rear windows and seals to avoid water-related damage.

Additionally, the filing says that it is “obvious” that General Motors was aware of the alleged water intrusion defect. Per the lawsuit, the automaker on January 3, 2019 issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) entitled “Water Found in Rear Interior of Cab, Water Leak at Rear Sliding Window” that posited the water intrusion was a result of possible cracking in the upper rail glass guide or a leak in the primary urethane seal.

Notably, the lawsuit states that the TSB was revised and expanded 12 times to cover the vehicle models at issue, with the last revision made on March 7, 2023, the suit says.

“The bulletin, by virtue of its very existence, and by virtue of the fact that it applies to all of the [c]lass [v]ehicles, and no other vehicles, is an acknowledgement of a classwide problem relating to the rear sliding window,” the case conveys.

Moreover, the automotive lawsuit says General Motors, which the filing says has superior knowledge of the alleged defect through its dealerships, pre-release testing data, warranty data, consumer complaints and more, has failed to disclose the defect to consumers, refused to cover defect-related repairs unless a vehicle is under warranty, and has not made “any actual effort” to protect consumers from the subsequent safety problems the defect presents.

Moreover, General Motors represents to consumers that its vehicles are of “excellent” quality, reliable and safe, even as it “silently” continues to sell the allegedly defective class vehicles, the case shares.

The plaintiff, who owns a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 truck, brought his vehicle to a dealership after observing water intrusion, the complaint says. While the dealership was able to conduct repairs, the plaintiff incurred over $1,000 in out-of-pocket costs that were not covered under warranty, the suit mentions.

 The General Motors window defect class action lawsuit looks to cover all individuals in California who purchased or leased any of the vehicle models listed on this page.

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