General Motors Brake Defect Class Action - Overview
A new federal class action lawsuit filed in Pennsylvania accuses General Motors (GM) of
selling several 2025 models with defective master brake cylinders that may cause partial or total brake
failure.
The complaint alleges GM knowingly sold unsafe vehicles without disclosing the issue or issuing a safety
recall. The affected vehicles include the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet
Colorado, and GMC Canyon. Potential class members include:
Individuals who purchased or leased any of the above-listed 2025 GM vehicles in Pennsylvania or New York.
The class action may expand later if the court certifies a nationwide or additional state subclass.
If you own or lease one of models listed below and have experienced braking issues, you may be part of the
proposed
class once it is certified.
Case Summary
● Case name: Barron et al. v. General Motors LLC
● Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
● Case Number: 2:25-cv-05696
● Status: Complaint filed. No settlement has been reached.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
The plaintiffs, Eric Barron and Chelsey Thompson, claim the master brake cylinder assemblies in the affected
vehicles fail unexpectedly, making the brake pedal stiff or unresponsive and triggering warning lights such
as “Brake,” “ABS,” and “Service Brake System.” According to the lawsuit, GM:
• Failed to repair the defect under warranty within a reasonable time.
• Did not issue a recall or notify consumers.
• Was aware of the defect from pre-sale testing, consumer complaints, and dealer reports.
The complaint alleges GM violated consumer protection and warranty laws and seeks damages, legal fees, and a
jury trial.
Is There a Class Action Settlement?
No. The case is newly filed and has not reached settlement. There is currently no claim form or payout
amount. If certified, the class could include owners or lessees of the affected 2025 Chevrolet, GMC, and
Buick vehicles.
Who May Be Included
The class action targets 2025 model-year General Motors vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective
master brake cylinder assemblies.
According to the class action complaint, these affected models include:
• Chevrolet Traverse (2025)
• GMC Acadia (2025)
• Buick Enclave (2025)
• Chevrolet Colorado (2025)
• GMC Canyon (2025)
All five vehicles allegedly share the same braking-system component that can fail suddenly, resulting in
warning lights such as “Brake,” “ABS,” or “Service Brake System,” and an unusually hard or unresponsive
brake pedal.
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:
How Many People Are Affected?
At this stage, the exact number is unknown. The lawsuit alleges defects in multiple high-volume 2025 GM
models (Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon), so the potentially
affected population could reach into the tens of thousands once all purchases and leases are counted. The
precise number will depend on how the court defines the class and how many vehicles are confirmed to share
the alleged defect.
When Will This Class Action Be Certified?
There is no certification date yet. Class certification will only occur, if at all, after:
• GM responds to the complaint
• Motion practice and discovery on whether the claims are suitable for class treatment
• A court order either granting, denying, or modifying class certification
This process typically takes many months or longer and may be affected by motions to dismiss, settlement
talks, or amendments to the complaint.
What Are the Odds This Class Action Is Settled?
Most consumer defect class actions resolve through settlement rather than trial, but there is no guarantee
in this specific case. Key factors that may push this case toward settlement include:
• Volume and consistency of consumer complaints and repair delays
• Cost and risk to GM of prolonged litigation and potential adverse findings
Any estimate remains speculative until the court rules on key motions and the parties engage in formal
negotiations.
What Is the Anticipated Settlement Amount?
No settlement amount has been proposed. Any anticipated figure now would be purely speculative. If a
settlement is reached, the total value would likely account for:
• Out-of-pocket repair costs and related expenses
• Diminished value of affected vehicles
• Possible extended warranty or repair programs
• Attorneys' fees and administration costs
How Much Will Each Class Action Claimant Be Paid?
There is currently no per-person payout. If the case settles in the future, individual compensation could
depend on factors such as:
• Proof of ownership or lease of an affected vehicle
• Documented brake issues or multiple repair attempts
• Whether the settlement provides cash payments, repair reimbursements, extended warranties, or a mix
Until a settlement is negotiated and approved, any dollar estimates for individual payments would be
guesswork.
What Are the Odds the Class Action Will Be Certified, Settled, and Eventually Pay
Out?
In broad terms:
• It is reasonably possible the plaintiffs will obtain some form of class treatment, especially for
common defect and warranty issues, but GM may challenge certification.
• The likelihood of at least exploring settlement is high, given the safety allegations and potential
exposure, yet there is no assurance of an agreement.
• Even if there is a certified class and a settlement, payments to individual claimants will depend on
final terms, proof requirements, and court approval.
Nothing is guaranteed at this point. Owners should treat the case as an active lawsuit, not a confirmed
payout.