General Motors has reached a settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit addressing claims that specific vehicles contained defective shifters causing a “Shift to Park” issue. The problem reportedly prevented drivers from turning off their vehicles and created additional operational complications.
The settlement impacts initial purchasers and lessees of several GM vehicle models, including:
- 2017-2019 GMC Acadia
- 2019 Chevrolet Blazer
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt
These vehicles must have been purchased or leased in Ohio, or for Tennessee residents, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles purchased or leased in that state.
While General Motors has not admitted any wrongdoing in the case, the company has agreed to resolve the litigation with an undisclosed settlement amount. The cases, Jefferson v. General Motors LLC (Case No. 2:20-cv-02576) and Riley v. General Motors LLC (Case No. 2:24-cv-02982), are both proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee.
Settlement Benefits for Class Members
The settlement provides significant compensation opportunities for affected vehicle owners:
- Cash Payment: Class members may receive a $500 cash payment. This amount will be divided equally among co-owners or co-lessees of any qualifying vehicle.
- Repair Reimbursement: Additional compensation of up to $375 is available for class members who paid out-of-pocket for repairs related to the “Shift to Park” issue.
The total potential compensation for eligible class members reaches up to $875 per claim, combining both the cash payment and repair reimbursement components.
Eligibility Requirements
The settlement establishes two distinct subclasses with specific eligibility criteria:
Ohio Subclass Requirements:
- Must be an initial purchaser or lessee of a qualifying vehicle (2017-2019 GMC Acadia, 2019 Chevrolet Blazer, 2016-2019 Chevrolet Malibu, 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, or 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt)
- Vehicle must have been purchased or leased in Ohio
- Must have sought repair from a GM dealer regarding the Shift to Park issue during the warranty period
- Must not have received a silicon-free replacement part
Tennessee Subclass Requirements:
- Must be an initial purchaser or lessee of a 2017-2018 GMC Acadia
- Vehicle must have been purchased or leased in Tennessee
- Must have sought repair from a GM dealer regarding the Shift to Park issue during the warranty period
- Must not have received either a silicon-free replacement shifter assembly or silicon-free shifter control wire harness at no charge
Documentation Requirements
The documentation needed to participate in the settlement varies based on your situation:
- Class members who appear in GM’s warranty and customer pay data will automatically receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair expenses.
- Class members not appearing in GM’s data must submit a claim form and supporting documentation to receive benefits.
- For the $500 cash payment, those not in GM’s warranty data must submit a claim form.
- For the $375 repair reimbursement, qualifying documentation includes invoices, repair orders, or service records demonstrating payment for repairs related to the Shift to Park issue.
Important Deadlines
The settlement timeline includes several critical dates:
- Exclusion/Objection Deadline: July 21, 2025
- Claim Submission Deadline: August 19, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: August 22, 2025
To participate in the settlement and receive benefits, class members must submit valid claim forms before the August 19, 2025 deadline. This provides affected owners approximately one year to gather documentation and file their claims.
Background on the Litigation
The class action lawsuits alleged that General Motors manufactured and sold vehicles with defective shifter mechanisms that caused the “Shift to Park” issue. This problem reportedly created significant inconvenience and potential safety concerns for vehicle owners.
General Motors, a major automotive manufacturer selling vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick brands, has maintained its position of no wrongdoing throughout the litigation. However, the company opted to settle the claims rather than proceed through extended court proceedings.
Claim Process
The settlement administration is being handled by a dedicated third-party administrator. Class members can submit claims through several channels:
- Online through the settlement website
- By mail to the settlement administrator at:
Jefferson & Riley v. General Motors Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 301132
Los Angeles, CA 90030-1132
For questions regarding the settlement or claim process, class members can contact:
- Email: admin@stplawsuit.com
- Phone: 833-419-4818
The settlement administrator will process claims and distribute payments after the court grants final approval at the August 2025 hearing.
Legal Representation
The class action is represented by attorney Sergei Lemberg of Lemberg Law LLC, who serves as Class Counsel. General Motors is represented by John Nadolenco of Mayer Brown LLP.
GM Shift to Park Defect Lawsuit Settlement Context
This settlement joins several other recent automotive class actions addressing alleged defects in vehicles. The “Shift to Park” issue specifically relates to electronic shifter mechanisms that reportedly fail to properly register when the vehicle has been placed in park, creating operational difficulties.
For affected Ohio and Tennessee vehicle owners, this settlement provides meaningful compensation without requiring participation in potentially lengthy litigation. The dual-component structure of the settlement—combining a fixed cash payment with reimbursement for actual repair expenses—aims to address both the inconvenience experienced and actual financial losses incurred by class members.
The extended claim period through August 2025 provides ample time for vehicle owners to learn about the settlement and submit the necessary documentation to receive compensation.
Additional Information
It’s important to note that this settlement specifically targets initial purchasers and lessees of the affected vehicles in Ohio and Tennessee. Current owners who were not the initial purchasers may not qualify for settlement benefits.
Additionally, class members should be aware that filing a claim requires attestation under penalty of perjury that they meet all eligibility requirements. The settlement administrator will review claims and supporting documentation to verify eligibility before distributing payments.
For those uncertain about their eligibility, the settlement administrator’s website contains detailed FAQ sections addressing specific situations and edge cases. Vehicle owners can also contact the administrator directly with questions about their particular circumstances.
The settlement also includes provisions requiring class members to release claims against General Motors related to the “Shift to Park” issue as a condition of receiving compensation, which is standard practice in class action settlements of this nature.
Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
