NHTSA Complaint #11701254 — 2019 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

Statement of Incident and Repair Costs While driving on the expressway at approximately 70 mph in the express lane with my family in the vehicle, the engine suddenly began to stutter and run rough. Within seconds, the vehicle lost engine power, the oil light came on, and the check-engine light started flashing. The sudden loss of power caused another vehicle to almost collide with us from behind, narrowly missing my family when our truck slowed abruptly. Because of the immediate danger, we were forced to cross two lanes of interstate traffic to reach the shoulder as quickly as possible, putting my entire family at further risk. We were then stranded on the side of the expressway. The vehicle was taken to the Chevy dealership in DeMotte, Indiana. Their diagnosis determined a catastrophic engine failure caused by lifter failure, resulting in bent rods and damage to the camshaft. Despite widespread reports and known issues involving lifter failures in this model, there is no recall for this year and model. As a result, we were left to cover the full cost of the repair. The dealership did not provide a rental vehicle, even though this truck is our family’s only means of transportation large enough to safely haul all of us. Insurance would not cover the failure due to the numerous notices and documentation showing that GM/Chevy is aware of this problem but has not initiated a recall. Total cost of repair: $8,801.53, paid out of pocket. Of which we had to borrow and scrape to figure out how to pay for it, due to it being our only vehicle for our family. Now we are left with the uncertainty as to whether the same thing will happen again, endangering the lives of our family yet again, due to living out more in the country and having to drive 30+ miles one way to get to grocery stores etc… on roads that have a speed limit of 55mph rt 49 going north from south of the Kankakee river or the expressway again where the other incident occurred I65 by Lowell Indiana exit.