Some car owners could get up to $875—but you need to act before August 19
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If you own or lease a GM vehicle, you might be eligible for a settlement that could put a little cash back in your pocket.
A class action lawsuit over a faulty gear shift has resulted in compensation for drivers—but the deadline to file a claim is August 19.
The issue affected popular models from Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick, and while not everyone experienced the defect, many could still qualify.
Whether you had a frustrating time trying to turn your car off or just want to know if you’re owed money, now’s the time to check.
Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you don’t miss your chance.
What’s the lawsuit about?
The settlement stems from a defect in certain GM vehicles known as the “Shift to Park” issue.
Some vehicles failed to recognize when they were placed in park, which left drivers unable to shut off the engine or lock the car properly.
It caused unexpected repairs and confusion for many owners.
After complaints piled up, the issue turned into a class action lawsuit—and now, eligible drivers can claim compensation.
GM has not admitted wrongdoing, but they’ve agreed to settle.
Also read: Your car may be safer than you think—or not: What a new recall reveals
Which vehicles are included?
Drivers said the issue made it hard to fully park the vehicle—and in some cases, even start it again.
The settlement applies to Ohio residents who bought or leased one of the following vehicles:
It also covers certain Tennessee residents who purchased or leased a 2017–2018 GMC Acadia.
Also read: Is your car affected? Nissan recalls over 480,000 vehicles
How much money can you receive?
There are two parts to the compensation:
Also read: Is your car safe to drive? Software glitch prompts recall of 40,000+ vehicles
How to file a claim
Also read: Is your BMW or Mini safe? Urgent recall issued for a serious brake defect—find out if your car is affected!
Will I get money automatically?
If GM has a record of your repair, your additional payment should be processed automatically.
But if you don’t show up in their system, you’ll need to submit a claim manually.
No documentation means no extra payment—so it’s worth digging up those records if you want the full amount.
If you’re in Ohio or Tennessee, there are a few important conditions to be aware of.
You must have had the repair completed during your vehicle’s warranty period, and you won’t be eligible if GM already provided you with a silicon-free replacement part for the issue.
Also read: Are you driving with a risk? Check if your car is on the latest massive recall list!
What is a class action settlement?
Class actions allow many people with similar complaints to come together in one lawsuit.
Rather than hundreds or thousands of individual cases, a class action helps hold companies accountable through a single legal process.
When a settlement is reached, those affected can claim their portion—usually in exchange for agreeing not to sue separately.
It’s a common way to resolve widespread product defects, including automotive problems.
Also read: Toyota issues recall for over 440,000 vehicles—find out which models are affected
A few quick tips to avoid missing out
Even if your vehicle worked fine or you didn’t report the problem, you might still be entitled to part of the settlement.
For those who paid for repairs out of pocket, this is a real opportunity to get reimbursed.
And for everyone else, it’s a good reminder to check for class actions involving other products you own—you could be eligible without even realizing it.
Read next: Claim your $7,500 car credit before the September 30 deadline
Have you dealt with this gear shift issue before? Did it cause a repair headache—or did you just live with the frustration? Let us know in the comments. Your experience might help someone else decide whether to file a claim.
A class action lawsuit over a faulty gear shift has resulted in compensation for drivers—but the deadline to file a claim is August 19.
The issue affected popular models from Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick, and while not everyone experienced the defect, many could still qualify.
Whether you had a frustrating time trying to turn your car off or just want to know if you’re owed money, now’s the time to check.
Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you don’t miss your chance.
Some GM vehicle owners may be eligible for compensation under a new class action settlement. Image Source: YouTube / Bloomberg Television.
What’s the lawsuit about?
The settlement stems from a defect in certain GM vehicles known as the “Shift to Park” issue.
Some vehicles failed to recognize when they were placed in park, which left drivers unable to shut off the engine or lock the car properly.
It caused unexpected repairs and confusion for many owners.
After complaints piled up, the issue turned into a class action lawsuit—and now, eligible drivers can claim compensation.
GM has not admitted wrongdoing, but they’ve agreed to settle.
Also read: Your car may be safer than you think—or not: What a new recall reveals
Which vehicles are included?
Drivers said the issue made it hard to fully park the vehicle—and in some cases, even start it again.
The settlement applies to Ohio residents who bought or leased one of the following vehicles:
- 2017–2019 GMC Acadia
- 2019 Chevrolet Blazer
- 2016–2019 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2018–2019 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2016–2019 Chevrolet Volt
It also covers certain Tennessee residents who purchased or leased a 2017–2018 GMC Acadia.
Also read: Is your car affected? Nissan recalls over 480,000 vehicles
How much money can you receive?
There are two parts to the compensation:
- $500 base payment
Anyone who owned or leased one of the listed vehicles is eligible for $500. If the car was jointly owned, that payment is divided equally. - Up to $375 in reimbursement
If you paid out of pocket to fix the gear shift issue, you can claim an additional $375. You’ll need to submit a receipt or other proof of the repair—unless GM already has your repair record on file.
Also read: Is your car safe to drive? Software glitch prompts recall of 40,000+ vehicles
How to file a claim
- Check your records. Look for repair receipts, service invoices, or warranty documentation tied to the “Shift to Park” problem.
- Visit the official settlement site. You can find the claim form here.
- Fill out the form and attach documentation. Be sure everything is accurate and submitted online before the deadline.
- Submit by August 19. The window to opt out or object closed on July 21, and the court’s final approval hearing is scheduled for August 22. Late claims will not be accepted.
Also read: Is your BMW or Mini safe? Urgent recall issued for a serious brake defect—find out if your car is affected!
Will I get money automatically?
If GM has a record of your repair, your additional payment should be processed automatically.
But if you don’t show up in their system, you’ll need to submit a claim manually.
No documentation means no extra payment—so it’s worth digging up those records if you want the full amount.
If you’re in Ohio or Tennessee, there are a few important conditions to be aware of.
You must have had the repair completed during your vehicle’s warranty period, and you won’t be eligible if GM already provided you with a silicon-free replacement part for the issue.
The 2019 GMC Acadia is among the models included in the recent class action settlement. Image Source: YouTube / CarGurus.
Also read: Are you driving with a risk? Check if your car is on the latest massive recall list!
What is a class action settlement?
Class actions allow many people with similar complaints to come together in one lawsuit.
Rather than hundreds or thousands of individual cases, a class action helps hold companies accountable through a single legal process.
When a settlement is reached, those affected can claim their portion—usually in exchange for agreeing not to sue separately.
It’s a common way to resolve widespread product defects, including automotive problems.
The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is one of several GM models affected by the "Shift to Park" settlement. Image Source: YouTube / Steve Hammes New Car Reviews.
Also read: Toyota issues recall for over 440,000 vehicles—find out which models are affected
A few quick tips to avoid missing out
- Set a reminder for August 19. That’s the claim deadline.
- Get your documents ready now. Don’t wait until the last minute.
- Tell friends or family. They might own one of the listed vehicles too.
- Don’t file unless you qualify. Submitting a false claim could delay payments for others.
Even if your vehicle worked fine or you didn’t report the problem, you might still be entitled to part of the settlement.
For those who paid for repairs out of pocket, this is a real opportunity to get reimbursed.
And for everyone else, it’s a good reminder to check for class actions involving other products you own—you could be eligible without even realizing it.
Read next: Claim your $7,500 car credit before the September 30 deadline
Have you dealt with this gear shift issue before? Did it cause a repair headache—or did you just live with the frustration? Let us know in the comments. Your experience might help someone else decide whether to file a claim.
