Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP

In re General Motors Corp. Pick-Up Fuel Tank Products Liability Litigation

The side-saddle fuel tank design was installed in over 10 million General Motors trucks. These included all 1973-87 GM full-size pickups and cab-chassis trucks and some 1988-91 dual cab or rv chassis. The problem was that a frame-mounted fuel tank mounted outside the frame rails would be susceptible to tank leakage from any side impact and lead to an explosion.

GM was confronted with numerous state class actions, which were consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in the Federal District Court in Philadelphia in 1993. The MDL involved 49 states, while a separate class action continued in Texas.

Both class actions were settled by offering $1000 coupons good towards the purchase of a new GM truck or van to current owners of C/K pickups. Subsequently there was a second and then third similar class action settlement. The coupon/claims distribution period is over. GM's side saddle gas tank hotline is 1-800-341-4462. If you have been injured in a GM vehicle gas tank explosion, click here for more information.

Recap of the Class Action Lawsuit

The Court approved the class action settlement on behalf of all persons who owned, as of July 4, 1996, GM Pickup Trucks. For purposes of the settlement, "GM Pickup Truck(s)" meant:

(i) 1973 through 1986 model year General Motors full-size pickup truck or chassis cab models of the "C" or "K" series which include the following models: Chevrolet C10, C20, C30, K10, K20, K30 and GMC Truck C1500, C2500, C3500, K1500, K2500, K3500, and

(ii) 1987 through 1991 model year General Motors full-size pickup truck or chassis cab models of the "R" or "V" series, which include the following models: Chevrolet R10, R20, R30, R2500, R3500, V10, V20, V30, V2500, V3500 and GMC Truck R1500, R2500, R3500, V1500, V2500 and V3500.

GM Pickup Trucks that have been scrapped are not included.

Class members were eligible to request a Settlement Certificate for each eligible vehicle described above that they owned as of July 4, 1996.

Were You Recently Injured in a Fire Involving a GM Pickup Truck?

Injured drivers and passengers, and the families of loved ones who have died in crashes and fires involving GM pickup trucks, may continue to bring claims against General Motors for manufacturing trucks with an unreasonable risk of catching fire in an accident or collision.

Certificate Claim Period

Consumer Class Members had 15 months from April 18, 2001 to:

1. use their Certificate for $1,000 toward the best price they can negotiate for an eligible vehicle;
2. give their Certificate to any family member residing in their household who can use it for $1,000 toward an eligible vehicle purchase;
3. sell their Certificate along with any sale of their GM Truck to any third party and the purchaser can use the Certificate for $1,000 toward an eligible vehicle purchase; or
4. sell their Certificate to any third party who can exchange it for a Third Party Certificate for $500 ($250 if used with any other rebate or discount) toward the purchase of an eligible vehicle during the remainder of the 15 month period.

After the first 15 month period, Consumer Class Members had an additional 18 months during which their Certificates could be used for $500 ($250 if transferred) toward an eligible purchase, and Governmental and Fleet owners had an additional 35 months during which their Certificates could be used for $250 toward an eligible purchase. For a more specific review of the terms of the settlement, click here.

The period to apply for class member certificates has now run. If you timely submitted a settlement form and have not received your certificate, you should contact GM at the following address:

GM Truck Settlement, P.O. Box 3257
Saginaw, MI 48605-3257

Class Members obtained the maximum credit for their Certificates by using them toward the purchase of a new eligible vehicle but they could also sell their certificates to anyone they chose at the best price they could negotiate.