Users of 2007 and 2008 Impalas are slapping GM with a class-action lawsuit. The case claims that faulty rear spindle rods are causing tires to wear too easily. In 2008 General Motors addressed the problem for Impalas offered as police cars, but not to customer motorists. If successful, the lawsuit could cost GM hundreds of thousands. The business could even require installment loans to pay for it all.
The spindle rods require fixing
Last week, a suit was filed in Detroit federal court. It said that the vehicles would, due to the faulty rear spindle rods, make wheels to wear prematurely as the alignment would get off.
"Despite having knowledge of this premature wear problem, (GM) has not recalled the subject cars, which has required class members to pay the cost of fixing the defective spindle rods as well as for replacement tires and realignment," the law suit states.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Donna Trusky, of Blakely, Pa., who wants GM to replace the potentially faulty rods. Right now, she is the only person in the suit.
Wheels exchanged after 6,000 miles
Trusky says that she bought her Impala in February 2008 and had to replace the wheels after only 6,000 miles. Her dealership replaced the wheels and aligned the vehicle but did not disclose the matter with the spindle rod. Because of the wear on her wheels, Trusky failed an annual inspection in Nov. There were less than 25,000 miles on the car when that happened. As reported by Trusky, she saw a GM bulletin about the 2008 recall of police Impalas which is what got her thinking.
The more grievances for every person
In 2007 and 2008, over 400,000 Impalas were sold by GM. Because of the suit, other owners have gotten mad. A lot of complaints have come out. One owner complained of having to change tires twice in less than two years.
"(I) Was told by my dealership that GM knows about this problem and has come out with a ... kit to fix problem, but I had to purchase it. Excessive wear is a safety problem, and I guess people have to die for action to be taken."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got a complaint that said, "The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it and this is the second set of tires in 6,000 miles." Another complained of changing wheels three times on a 2008 Impala with only 41,000 miles on it.
The reason to only fix the law enforcement vehicles
As reported by GM spokeswoman Carolyn Normandin, the Impala versions for police were different than what consumers got. She said that those vehicles have a different suspension system intended for the needs of police force.
David Fink, the lawyer representing owners in the suit, however, said the police force modifications did not affect the rear tires or the spindle rods. "We do not think there's a meaningful difference in terms of the problem," he said Friday.
The spindle rods require fixing
Last week, a suit was filed in Detroit federal court. It said that the vehicles would, due to the faulty rear spindle rods, make wheels to wear prematurely as the alignment would get off.
"Despite having knowledge of this premature wear problem, (GM) has not recalled the subject cars, which has required class members to pay the cost of fixing the defective spindle rods as well as for replacement tires and realignment," the law suit states.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Donna Trusky, of Blakely, Pa., who wants GM to replace the potentially faulty rods. Right now, she is the only person in the suit.
Wheels exchanged after 6,000 miles
Trusky says that she bought her Impala in February 2008 and had to replace the wheels after only 6,000 miles. Her dealership replaced the wheels and aligned the vehicle but did not disclose the matter with the spindle rod. Because of the wear on her wheels, Trusky failed an annual inspection in Nov. There were less than 25,000 miles on the car when that happened. As reported by Trusky, she saw a GM bulletin about the 2008 recall of police Impalas which is what got her thinking.
The more grievances for every person
In 2007 and 2008, over 400,000 Impalas were sold by GM. Because of the suit, other owners have gotten mad. A lot of complaints have come out. One owner complained of having to change tires twice in less than two years.
"(I) Was told by my dealership that GM knows about this problem and has come out with a ... kit to fix problem, but I had to purchase it. Excessive wear is a safety problem, and I guess people have to die for action to be taken."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got a complaint that said, "The vehicle has 45,000 miles on it and this is the second set of tires in 6,000 miles." Another complained of changing wheels three times on a 2008 Impala with only 41,000 miles on it.
The reason to only fix the law enforcement vehicles
As reported by GM spokeswoman Carolyn Normandin, the Impala versions for police were different than what consumers got. She said that those vehicles have a different suspension system intended for the needs of police force.
David Fink, the lawyer representing owners in the suit, however, said the police force modifications did not affect the rear tires or the spindle rods. "We do not think there's a meaningful difference in terms of the problem," he said Friday.
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