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1973 through 1986 GM PU Truck Gas Tank Law Suit
by asking if anyone has any current info on this law suit. By way of background, some guy sued GM because the gas tanks on those trucks were mounted outside the frame rails. They might leak in an accident and cause a fire. The suit became a class action suit and all owners got a letter from the court.
The letter had instructions to follow. I did as it said and sent a letter to the court. I heard nothing. I sent another letter. Same result, I got no response. I sent another letter to GM's attn, and got a form letter in the mail. Not the personal touch I was looking for.
The suit was settled, and all owners were to get a $1000 coupon in the mail that was good toward the purchase of another GM vehicle. Some reward that was. But, GM complained because some folks were selling the coupons to other folks who were then going to buy a GM vehicle.
In my letter to the court I pointed out that if these trucks really were a danger to the public they should be taken off the road. GM could give us a new truck. The $1000 would not go very far toward a new truck. Besides, I would have to go through the dealer to get another truck. He would profit from my misfortune. Something stinks here... and it ain't exhaust from an old truck. If GM was not going to give me a new truck, why not sell one directly to me? Why should GM care if it sold a truck to me or to a dealer. Sell it to me for the same price as the dealer would pay. The suit was between GM and the owners of GM trucks. The dealers should not profit from this suit.
If anyone has any info... please post it here. Meanwhile I'm still waiting for an answer to the letters I have written.
Andy
The letter had instructions to follow. I did as it said and sent a letter to the court. I heard nothing. I sent another letter. Same result, I got no response. I sent another letter to GM's attn, and got a form letter in the mail. Not the personal touch I was looking for.
The suit was settled, and all owners were to get a $1000 coupon in the mail that was good toward the purchase of another GM vehicle. Some reward that was. But, GM complained because some folks were selling the coupons to other folks who were then going to buy a GM vehicle.
In my letter to the court I pointed out that if these trucks really were a danger to the public they should be taken off the road. GM could give us a new truck. The $1000 would not go very far toward a new truck. Besides, I would have to go through the dealer to get another truck. He would profit from my misfortune. Something stinks here... and it ain't exhaust from an old truck. If GM was not going to give me a new truck, why not sell one directly to me? Why should GM care if it sold a truck to me or to a dealer. Sell it to me for the same price as the dealer would pay. The suit was between GM and the owners of GM trucks. The dealers should not profit from this suit.
If anyone has any info... please post it here. Meanwhile I'm still waiting for an answer to the letters I have written.
Andy
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This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Harry
Andy
MY grandpa never used it and so I still have \the lawsuit paperwork but it is so filled with legal jargon I can't understand it at all. I'm not shure if it has experied or not.
Well, think of it this way, 1,000$ can buy a lot of options!
letter that had a number to call for updates. It is: 1 800 568-2885. It is a recorded message that gives you the latest info.
You can also write to them at: GM Settlement Class Counsel, Box 32, One Shell Square, New Orleans, LA 70139. You need to put your name, address, and the VIN of your truck in the letter. Hope this helps.
The last info I have is that there was a hold up because GM was upset that soooo many people were going to sell the coupons.
I still think that $1000 in not much when compared to the purchase price of a new truck.
Good luck,
Andy
Yeah its not a whole lot, but its better than nothing lol. Just think if they gave people more than that, they sold millions upon millions of 73-87 trucks and their are still millions out there. If there is still 4,500,000 trucks out there, and everyone gets 1,000 that adds up to 4,500,000,000, 4 billion in lost revenue!
taken off the road! don't talk like that, these are my favorite trucks!
I don't see it as much of a problem, we'll probably drive this one on the street once a year. I agree, the old ones are still the best...and Chev. actually stood behind their product back then (imagine that!).
Chris
My gripe is that when I wrote a letter to the court it was never answered.
See my post above for an 800 number to call and/or an address to write to to get your name on the list. Include your VIN in the letter.
Hope this helps.
Andy
Chris
In my opinion, GM is not well advised to hold out on the coupons since they are giving away $1000 discounts at car shows all over the country. It must be the attorney fees that they are stuck on. Also, you don't get full value if you give the coupon to someone else, and there is a time limit on the use of the coupon. Most people who have these old trucks can't afford to buy a new vehicle, so a lot of the coupons won't be cashed for face value anyway. GM is just missing a great marketing opportunity to sell more vehicles in a time when vehicle sales are slow, or does this explain why I am not a marketing vice president?:)
I also agree that $1000 is not a lot of money to get from GM. Discounts on cars/trucks are common, and $1000 is not much when compared to the cost of a new PU. To get a new truck comparable to the one I have now, (regular cab, long bed, V-8, auto trans, A/C, cruise, and heavy duty towing package), I would have to spend over $20,000, probably close to $25,000. Hold on while I check my wallet... nope, not enough there.
So, what's a guy to do?
We just wait and wait while the attorneys litigate this matter. Wonder if any of them have a qualifing GM pick up?
My solution is simple. GM can have my truck back, and give me a comparable new one. No need to involve a dealer, he doesn't need to profit because of my misfortune.
Stepping down from soap box to say...
Have a nice day.
Andy
Hunter
PS, I guess I will send note to that address
Of course you can't compare the dodges of these years because they were the weakest poorestly built trucks on the road, and it shows by the amount you still see on the road. Chevy pickups of these years are worth as much as a 2 yr old Camry.
rea98d, its not a death trap, read up on the cases, I think there were only a couple of deaths, your more likely to die in a civic most likey.
All kidding aside, I did have a '87 GMC 3/4 ton, 454, Turbo-400 and was very disappointed. My '85 F250, C-6, 460 was a MUCH better truck.
I did get the cash assistance check in the mail and threw it away!!! Should of sold it to some sucker!!
G.M. Truck Settlement
PO Box 1908
Saginaw, MI 48605-1908
Inclose copy of your vehicle registration.
Good news-I just mailed in the Application for Certificate for $1000 toward the purchase of a new GMC.
Bad news- My wife went to New Zealand on vacation in February and while she was gone a overwhelming urge came over me and I bought a 2001 2500HD 4x4 GMC.
Do you think if I send the certificate to the Good Mother Co. they will rebate me $1000? Sure, about the same time I can convince my wife I won the new pickup in a raffle.
of waiting for my new 8.1 4x4 x-cab BLACK Chevy.
Mr. dealer calls yesterday and sez well Geo
we just got in a 2500 LD x-cab 4x4 6.0 3.73
Black...Best thing REBATE $1000 and 2.9 int.
They just went up monday for GMS employee
buyer. YAHOO !!!
Now to the certificate its only worth $250
for GMS Buyer OR if you are getting the rebate
They have been straight up all the way.
I called GMS employee hotline and they said
this is the TRUTH !!!!
So I will be there today ..GMS discount, Gm
card rebate, exploder cert. And they bumped
up my trade $1000....OH BOY OH BOY !!!!!
rebates and such..And 3rd party users would
only get $ 250 also. And also something
about they won"t honor the certificate if
you get it through that company that is buying
them from people for $100...Just be careful
if u intend to go that way........Geo
lately. And he is afraid of audits and
chargebacks. Sez lots of 3rd party people
are pissed because they think they are gonna
get $1000 off a new truck.Something about u
must be fAmily or live at the same address to
get the $1000...He had the GM rules papers
and i read them. Seems he is correct. But
who knows..Just Beware...
is Certificate Redemption Group and after
May 17 they will only give you 75 bucks
so hurry up get that money.........