GM Sued Over Engine Defect That Can Causes Failure and Fires in Chevy and Buick SUVs

General Motors is being sued over an alleged engine defect in several of its most popular compact SUVs that can reportedly cause sudden and catastrophic engine failure while driving.

A class action lawsuit filed in Delaware federal court alleges that 2024 and newer models of the Buick Encore, Buick Envista, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Chevrolet Trax are equipped with a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine prone to dangerous internal failures. According to the complaint, a connecting rod can break and punch through the engine block, causing an immediate loss of power, fluid leaks, and in some cases, engine fires — sometimes at highway speeds.

The lawsuit was filed by two California plaintiffs after their 2024 Chevrolet Trax allegedly suffered a complete engine failure at just 11,581 miles. According to the complaint, the driver received a reduced engine power warning, heard loud knocking, and the vehicle stalled on the road. The dealership determined a connecting rod had broken, destroying the engine. A replacement engine was needed — but was backordered, leaving the vehicle stranded at the dealership.

The lawsuit alleges GM has known about the defect since at least 2022 through internal testing data and dealership reports, but has not disclosed the issue to consumers. In fact, the complaint claims GM allegedly instructed dealers to tell owners their vehicles were operating normally when they weren't.

GM did issue a limited recall in August 2024 related to the 1.2-liter engine's auto stop/start system, acknowledging the engine could run rough and that continued driving could cause engine damage. However, the lawsuit argues that recall did not address the broader pattern of catastrophic failures reported by owners.

Owners across the country have reported similar experiences to NHTSA, describing engines that make loud banging noises, vehicles that stall at highway speed, smoke pouring from under the hood, and in some cases, flames. Many say replacement engines are on months-long backorders, leaving them without a vehicle.

The vehicles covered by the lawsuit all use the same 1.2-liter turbocharged inline 3-cylinder engine and include:

– Buick Encore (2024 and newer)
– Buick Envista (2024 and newer)
– Chevrolet Trailblazer (2024 and newer)
– Chevrolet Trax (2024 and newer)

These vehicles came with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Despite this, the lawsuit alleges GM has either refused to cover engine failures or performed repairs that don't fix the underlying problem.

There's no settlement yet, but this is a case worth watching if you own or lease any of these vehicles.

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