Dex-cool Class Action Settlement!

[rdh2]

FYI for all owners of affected vehicles. My complaint is the limitations on the amount of damages they will pay considering the cost of most repairs.

Overview

There is a proposed class action Settlement involving the GM vehicles listed in the Notice and FAQs on this website. These vehicles were factory-equipped with Dex-Cool. Dex-Cool is an engine coolant designed to protect vehicles’ engine and cooling systems. A number of lawsuits were filed as class actions against GM in state and federal courts across the United States involving “Dex Cool” extended-life engine coolant. Among other things, the lawsuits allege that (i) Dex-Cool in the vehicles listed in the Notice caused problems with the vehicles’ engines or cooling systems, and (ii) that certain engine components, such as the nylon/silicone lower intake manifold gaskets installed in certain vehicles, were defective. GM denies all allegations of wrongdoing and denies liability under any claim asserted in the lawsuits.

You are included in this proposed Settlement if you own or lease or previously owned or leased any of the specified vehicles and made repairs related to the use of Dex-Cool. For more information on whether you may be included in the class, please consult the Notice or FAQs.

Repairs involving intake manifold gasket failures, engine coolant sealing issues, and sludge (a rust-like material) are covered by this proposed Settlement. These repairs would likely involve parts like the intake manifold and/or manifold gaskets, throttle body gaskets, radiator cap, heater core, water pump and other parts of the cooling system. See the Notice or FAQs for a complete description of the specific types of repairs covered for each vehicle type.

The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to give final approval to the proposed Settlement. Valid claims will be paid if the proposed Settlement is approved.

Please Note: People who purchased or leased their GM vehicle in Missouri are not included in the proposed Settlement. A separate settlement has been reached for those who purchased or leased their vehicle in Missouri, which will offer the same benefits but will be separately approved by a Missouri court. This website will be updated to provide information on the Missouri settlement after court preliminary approval has been obtained

Settlement Benefits

Under the proposed Settlement, GM will send cash reimbursements to class members who paid for Covered Repairs performed within seven years or 150,000 miles (whichever is earlier) after the original owner or lessee took delivery of the vehicle, and who submit timely and valid claims.

The amount of reimbursement for which you are eligible depends on (i) when the Covered Repair was performed and (ii) the amount you actually paid, as described below.

For a Covered Repair made within five years and 150,000 miles:
You are eligible to be reimbursed the documented amount you paid out-of-pocket up to $400, if you were not previously fully reimbursed.

However, if you can document that the Covered Repair required you to pay over $1,500 to address an internal coolant leak, your reimbursement level may be different. If so, you can elect to request reimbursement of 40% of the amount you paid out-of-pocket up to $800, if you were not previously fully reimbursed.

(An internal coolant leak means that coolant leaked from one vehicle component into another component. Whereas an external coolant leak means that coolant leaked from inside a vehicle component to the exterior of the vehicle.)


For a Covered Repair made in the sixth year and within 150,000 miles:
You are eligible to be reimbursed the documented amount you paid out-of-pocket up to $100, if you were not previously fully reimbursed.


For a Covered Repair made in the seventh year and within 150,000 miles:
You are eligible to be reimbursed the documented amount you paid out-of-pocket up to $50, if you were not previously fully reimbursed.
If you paid for more than one Covered Repair (whether on the same vehicle or on different vehicles included in the proposed Settlement), you may make a separate claim for each repair.


For full details see this website: Dex Cool Litigation Website

If anyone calls the information number on the website, please remember the operator taking your call can only answer questions regarding the settlement. They are not GM employees and it will not do any good to take out your frustrations on them. (My wife is one of the administrative personnel who answers questions)

[tepco]

within seven years or 150,000 miles (whichever is earlier) after the original owner or lessee took delivery

I have read this several times, and from what i understand the settlement lists it will cover my 1999 Venture but..it would be out of the time limit of 7years!!

This kind of sucks for me. I had the L.I.M.G. done when i got it at 45k for free (it whas when i was buying the van and had no idea of the gasket problems) i did it 12k miles ago at 112k and it just went again at 125k killing my head gasket this time and stranding us 200miles away from home. Not sure if i want to fix it this time. Its a fully loaded extended LS that i will sell if i fix it as soon as it is done.

So is it true, im out of luck??

['97ventureowner]

From my reading and rereading the text it appears the time cut off for you to get any reimbursement for any repair would expire in 2006, and only be $50. (1999 + 7 year limit = 2006). If your latest repair was done prior to the expiration date set by your model year then you are eligible.

[Ididnt[BreAK]it]

I'm a the second owner and never had it fixed nor has the previous owner, it was leaking ( very slow) when i got it at 142k its a 01 and its ~162k now, does this mean I don't apply to atleast get it fixed by GM for free ?
or should i get it fixed then get reinbursed ? or just SOL ?

['97ventureowner]

Because the vehicle is beyond the 150,000 mile limit, I believe you are ineligible for any reimbursement through this class action suit.

[base11]

I notice the site and forms are very American oriented. e.g. no drop down for country or province on the claim submit form etc.
Is this claim valid for Canadians also?

I just called the 800 number and they stated as of now, this is for U.S. citizens only. She had no idea if canadians have any means of submitting a claim or getting some kind of cash back.

thanks

['97ventureowner]

I believe there is something separate for Canadian owners. I read it somewheres and if I come across it again, I'll post the info here. The suit as it stands now is a "49 state" preliminary settlement. The state of Missouri is separate from the other states in this suit but will have the same benefits payout and must be approved by the Missouri courts.

[Justin's Dad]

I only have 83,000miles on the car, I bought it new in 99'. I'm pissed at GM for just telling it's customers we're SOL. I don't have so much money that it's falling out of my pocket but I'm not sure $50 is worth my time. Now if I could get my $700 back I'd be dancing the jig.

[Ididnt[BreAK]it]

Originally Posted by base11

I notice the site and forms are very American oriented. e.g. no drop down for country or province on the claim submit form etc.
Is this claim valid for Canadians also?

I just called the 800 number and they stated as of now, this is for U.S. citizens only. She had no idea if canadians have any means of submitting a claim or getting some kind of cash back.

thanks

Canada is always the "last" to do anything .. by the time they get off the "weed and beer" (hehehe) its too late to get anything. kinda sucks that the previous owner put on so many miles before i got it.. 01 with 142k when i got it last year .. it was full of news papers lol .. but i got it cheap so I can't really complain .. still runs good

[rdh2]

Originally Posted by base11

I notice the site and forms are very American oriented. e.g. no drop down for country or province on the claim submit form etc.
Is this claim valid for Canadians also?

I just called the 800 number and they stated as of now, this is for U.S. citizens only. She had no idea if canadians have any means of submitting a claim or getting some kind of cash back.

thanks

There is a separate potential class action regarding DexCool and LIM gaskets in Canada. Here is the link for info: https://www.gmcanadianclassaction.ca/index.html

My wife, who works for the company handling the administrative duties of the claim, said she has received calls from Canadian vehicle owners, because they have seen the U.S. press reports about it. She said they can't discuss the Canadian suit, because it is not in the scope of the U.S settlement approved by the courts. They are allowed to only discuss the specific settlement that their firm is handling..