A long-running lawsuit over allegedly defective air conditioning systems in GM full-size pickups and SUVs is now in its eighth year, and it still hasn’t been certified as a class action.
The multidistrict case, In re: General Motors Air Conditioning Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation (No. 18-md-02818), is pending in federal court in Michigan and centers on claims that a shared A/C design in 2014–2017 trucks and SUVs was defective from day one.
Chevrolet
What Owners Say Is Wrong With GM’s Truck A/C
The current complaint focuses on certain 2014–2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, plus 2015–2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade models. Owners say the air conditioning systems use a faulty “combi-cooler” that integrates the A/C condenser and transmission oil cooler into a single unit. According to the suit, big temperature swings can cause thermal stress and cracks in a part attached to the condenser, letting refrigerant leak out until the A/C blows only warm air.
Earlier filings also pointed to weak discharge lines and condensers that could rupture or separate, again dumping refrigerant. Plaintiffs argue GM knew about the problem as early as 2013, kept using the design, and then left owners with repair bills that could run into the low thousands when parts were back-ordered. They also frame the failure as a safety issue, saying fogged windows and high cabin temperatures can create risky driving conditions, especially in hot-weather states where many of these trucks live.
Eight Years In, Class Certification Still Isn’t A Done Deal
Despite that, the case has narrowed rather than expanded over time. Plaintiffs are now seeking class certification only for buyers in five states: California, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Washington. GM is pushing back hard, arguing the claims are too individualized, state laws differ too much to be tried together, and many owners never had an A/C failure or received free repairs when they did. The company is leaning on recent appellate rulings to argue that a five-state class still isn’t manageable.
It’s a familiar pattern for GM defect litigation. The company is already facing consolidated claims over a separate V8 engine issue. In both situations, buyers say they were sold vehicles with hidden weaknesses that only surfaced years later.
Why It Matters For GM And Its Truck Buyers
This A/C case is not about a niche model. It targets core full-size pickups and SUVs that helped define GM’s truck business last decade and that still shape perceptions of the brand today. At the same time, GM is plowing big money into the next wave of gas-powered products, and also trying to keep buyers engaged with new tech features.
Against that backdrop, an eight-year fight over basic hardware like air conditioning cuts against the message of seamless, modern ownership. If the court eventually certifies a class and the plaintiffs win, GM could be on the hook for widespread reimbursement of repair costs and potential diminished-value claims. If it doesn’t, owners who paid out of pocket may be left with individual claims that are harder to pursue.
