Landmark $175 Million Settlement for GM Vehicle Owners

DiCello Levitt secured final approval of a $175 million settlement for tens of thousands of GM vehicle owners whose engines failed prematurely due to a known manufacturing defect.

Callout image for General Motors lawsuit reads A historic consumer victory following a rare automotive defect trial and years of relentless litigation.

After achieving a $102.6 million jury verdict against General Motors in one of the few automotive defect class actions ever tried to verdict, DiCello Levitt and our co-counsel went on to secure an even greater result—a $175 million post-trial settlement for more than 40,000 vehicle owners across California, Idaho, and North Carolina. The agreement, approved in 2025, delivers average payments exceeding $3,300 per vehicle and stands as a powerful example of DiCello Levitt’s commitment to seeing complex cases through trial and beyond to achieve full justice for consumers.

What Happened?

The lawsuit centered on a defect in the piston rings of certain GM engines that caused premature engine damage, stalling, and breakdowns. DiCello Levitt used GM’s own internal documents and expert testimony from the company’s engineers to show that GM was aware of the defect as early as 2010 but continued to sell the affected vehicles.

Although GM made recommendations to dealers and attempted several ineffective design changes over the next three years, the company ultimately discontinued production of the faulty engine—only after extensive consumer harm had already occurred.

Trial and Verdict

In 2022, DiCello Levitt brought the case to trial in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California—a rare class action trial against one of the world’s largest automakers. Drawing on extensive focus group research conducted in the trial district, the firm’s team developed a strategy that resonated with jurors and clearly demonstrated GM’s breach of warranty and concealment of the defect.

After less than a day of deliberation, the jury returned a $102.6 million verdict. The court subsequently denied GM’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and refused to decertify the class—firmly upholding the jury’s findings.

Post-Trial Settlement

Following the verdict, DiCello Levitt and our co-counsel negotiated a $175 million settlement, approved by Judge Edward M. Chen in October 2025. The agreement increased compensation by 22% over the jury’s award and ensured prompt, direct payments to class members.

In a testament to the fairness and strength of the result, none of the nearly 43,000 class members who received notice filed an objection—a nearly unprecedented outcome in large-scale consumer litigation. The settlement provides tangible relief for thousands of GM owners and stands as a model for future post-trial consumer recoveries.

Securing Accountability and Delivering Justice

By leading every phase of this complex litigation—from uncovering GM’s internal knowledge of the defect to presenting a persuasive case at trial—DiCello Levitt demonstrated its strength as a trial-tested firm willing to take on one of the world’s largest automakers. The firm’s strategy combined rigorous technical analysis, expert evidence, and compelling storytelling to secure a result that exceeded the jury’s verdict.

The $175 million settlement delivers meaningful compensation to tens of thousands of consumers and sets a lasting precedent for automotive defect litigation. It reinforces that manufacturers will be held accountable for concealing dangerous product flaws—and that full justice often requires pursuing cases through trial and beyond.

This case is Siqueiros v. General Motors LLC. DiCello Levitt’s trial team included Adam Levitt, John Tangren, Daniel Ferri, Mark Abramowitz, and Joseph Frate.

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