GM Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over "Shift to Park" Issue
GM vehicle owners report that the issue arises when they receive a "shift to park" notification despite having already shifted into the park position. Many drivers find they must repeatedly manipulate the electronic shifter to convince the vehicle it is in park. In some cases, adjusting the shifter does not solve the issue, leaving drivers unable to turn off the car and causing the vehicle's battery to drain.
If you own an affected GM vehicle and have encountered the "shift to park" issue, especially if you have incurred repair costs, you may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit.
Affected Vehicles
The "shift to park" issue reportedly affects several GM models, including:
- 2017-2019 GMC Acadia
- 2019 Chevrolet Blazer
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt
- 2021-2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer
- 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2020-2023 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2020-2023 Buick Encore
Owners of these vehicles have reported "shift to park" notifications when attempting to engage the park function. This malfunction can prevent drivers from turning off their vehicles, potentially leading to battery drainage and failure.
The manufacturer has been aware of the issue but has not yet provided a definitive solution. As of now, GM has not issued a recall for affected vehicles.
Eligibility to Join the Lawsuit
If you own an affected GM vehicle and have encountered the "shift to park" issue, especially if you have incurred repair costs, you may be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit.
For more information, complete the form on the class action page.
GMC Acknowledges the "Shift to Park" Concern
Since 2018, lawsuits and media reports have highlighted the "shift to park" problem. A 2018 carcomplaints.com article revealed that GM issued a technical service bulletin to GMC dealers, noting that some vehicles might not turn off when in park. Engineers were reportedly investigating the cause, but no solution or recall has been announced to date.
This issue poses safety risks. Drivers have reported that their vehicles cannot be turned off unless the system recognizes that it is in "park," and in some cases, the vehicle may roll as if in neutral.
Ongoing Consumer Complaints
GM drivers continue to report problems related to this defect. One New Jersey driver stated, “I am currently at the dealership and have been informed that since my vehicle is out of warranty, I will be responsible for the repairs. This is a safety concern that GMC is fully aware of.”
Another driver from Connecticut described an incident where, after parking and shifting to "Park," their car began rolling forward, displaying the message "shift to park." Thankfully, they were able to apply the brakes before any harm occurred.
Numerous similar complaints have surfaced on carcomplaints.com, often involving vehicles with fewer than 25,000 miles.
Tennessee Class Action Lawsuit ("Shift to Park")
Plaintiff Rilla Jefferson has filed a class action lawsuit against GM, claiming that her 2017 GMC Acadia failed to recognize when it was in park. This issue prevented her from turning off the vehicle and created difficulties in starting it. She alleges GM breached its warranty when her dealership did not attempt to repair the defect.
In 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee approved Jefferson’s motion for class certification, establishing a class of Tennessee purchasers and lessees of 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles who did not receive warranty repairs free of silicone. The court also dismissed GM’s claim that it was not obligated to fix the "shift to park" issue under warranty. A jury trial is scheduled for January 13, 2025.
Further details: www.tngmshifttopark.com
Ohio Class Action Lawsuit
Plaintiff Mark Riley has also filed a class action lawsuit, claiming his 2017 GMC Acadia failed to recognize when it was in park. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio certified a class for Ohio buyers of 2017-2019 GMC Acadia, 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, 2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt vehicles.
Riley alleges GM breached its warranty as the dealership did not address the issue, and the one repair attempt made did not resolve it.
Participate in the GM "Shift to Park" Lawsuit
Owners or lessees of affected GMC Acadia, Buick Encore, or Chevrolet models who have encountered "shift to park" issues may be eligible to join this class action lawsuit.
