Subject to years of legal scrutiny and litigation, the 2014-15 Chevy Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel emissions system continues forward and demands the attention of manufacturers and current, former owners alike

The Chevy Cruze emissions matter that has been in the news recently may be something of a surprise for many, and not for the reason you might think. Focused upon the Cruze emissions system and whether it accurately represents emissions testing results published by the manufacturer, and as required by governmental standards, litigation has continued to unfold that may significantly impact these vehicles, including their function and value, in the years to come. Even more, the impact of the Cruze emissions lawsuit filed and proceeding forward through a class action law firm will mean a major decision involving the future may be coming for current and former owners of this popular vehicle. 

Chevy Cruze Emissions: 'Clean Turbo Diesel' Under Fire

Produced under the Chevrolet brand by General Motors, the Cruze vehicle has solid name recognition in the American marketplace. While traditional or more 'common' emissions cases involve heavy duty vehicles that might depend upon “emissions cheating” in order to pass EPA standards, the Volkswagen emissions matter revealed that these cases can also include a much wider assortment of cars and trucks. The Cruze emissions matter, involving the Chevrolet-branded vehicle under the larger GM/General Motors umbrella, centers around the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel lineup. The accusations may sound familiar, even though the Clean Turbo Diesel technology is a proprietary development of the manufacturer in coordination with Bosch. The manufacturer is accused of manufacturing and selling vehicles that circumvent EPA/environmental standards; in short, according to the suit, Cruze emissions exceed the allowable limit for emissions through the use of deception and cheating. As a current or former owner of a diesel Cruze vehicle, even if this is a another common story to you or you have no concerns about the environmental impact, it will now be critical to pay close attention going forward because this may impact you and your vehicle.

There is no indication that is a matter of attempting to 'invent' a case or someone unfairly targeting GM/Chevrolet. The fallout behind the now infamous Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal has only grown year-to-year as other manufacturers worldwide have come under similar scrutiny and subjected to widespread litigation for their own emissions cheating, diesel vehicles. What has been surprising is how many of these cases have actually proven to be completely supportable – many of these manufacturers have been fined billions of dollars and faced criminal charges for their emissions cheating. Even more surprising, and disappointing, though, has been how class action settlements surrounding these vehicles have forced current and former owners to make instant decisions on their own legal future. Without much of the facts or a long-term safety net in the event things do not go as planned with the software created by the manufacturer to attempt undo emissions cheating without impacting vehicle performance and value, current and former owners in these class settlements are usually placed in a position our firm believes is grossly unfair. 

What Vehicles Are Involved in the Cruze Emissions Class Action?

The 2014-15 Clean Turbo Diesel Chevy Cruze vehicles are subject to a class action case filed by another law firm. The crux of the Cruze emissions class action case involves diesel models equipped with the Clean Turbo Diesel system. The case, as filed in 2016, involves Cruze diesel cars in the 2014 and 2015 model years. In the event this list expands due to new evidence, we will be sure to provide these details.

Is the Cruze Emissions Class Action Case Legitimate?

The class action law firm that has sued GM/Chevrolet and Bosch is a nationally respected group with significant and important experience in the realm of emissions cheating litigation. That firm has been actively involved in the same high-profile emissions cases you have already heard of, and the work they have done in attempting to prove wrongdoing by GM in this matter is considerable. The Cruze emissions class action was first filed in 2016. Where some may incorrectly assume that a case wearing on for years suggests a lack of merit, that simply is not accurate. Instead, as a manufacturer presses for dismissal and delays by seeking to undermine a claim, our firm believes that case has withstood numerous challenges and delays, demonstrating there’s actually a strong legal and factual basis for the claims. 

Central to supporting the claims of emissions cheating in the Cruze matter is the use of on-road emissions testing to determine the level of pollutants being released by the vehicle. Class counsel has presented to the court a wide variety of data from a Clean Turbo Diesel Cruze vehicle that they allege revealed the emissions cheating. While the vehicles would normally be tested for regulatory purposes in a standardized environment on what amounts to a 'large treadmill,' the testing performed in this and other emissions cheating cases involves testing the vehicle while out on the open road. This helps undo certain software and systems that are triggered when the car 'knows' it is being tested (steady speed, no wheel turning, etc.) and then reveals the 'real' emissions of the vehicle under actual operating conditions on the road. 

It’s alleged that the Chevy Cruze emissions cheating involves:

• The release of nitrogen oxides (NOx) of up to 8 times federal standards/legal limit in highway conditions

• Release of NOx nearly 14 times federal standards/legal limits in stop-and-go traffic

• Variance in NOx emissions released based upon temperatures, including in cold environments, with emissions rising up to 18x the federal standard at the ambient temperature of -2.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and hot environments, with emissions reaching 17x the federal standard between 95 and 102 degrees

Further validation on the merits of the case have also come from outside the United States. When German investigators found that real-world testing of the manufacturer's vehicles exceeded NOx emissions standards, GM recalled a number of models including the Chevy Cruze 2.0 and GM's Opel Zafira.  As a result, we believe we are at a turning point legally where a settlement could be imminent as General Motors’ legal options, outside of a full trial with hundreds of millions of dollars in potential exposure, continue to diminish. 

Why Consumers Should Actively Monitor the Cruze Emissions Matter

The cheating allegations made in the Cruze emissions class action case are substantial. In particular, the alleged release of nitrogen oxides at the levels described are significant and worse than the allegations of cheating other manufacturers have faced. In Volkswagen, the manufacturer only provided buybacks because they (a) admitted fault/liability and (b) acknowledged they could not create an emissions software 'fix' that would match vehicle performance only seen with emissions cheating. Conversely, other manufacturers have denied responsibility and released emissions software 'fixes' aimed at resolving the excess NOx. While the manufacturers have alleged that software would not noticeably impact performance, or that changes in vehicle behaviors was not 'expected,' we have unfortunately seen quite the opposite occur. If these issues are only discovered after the Cruze class settlement is finalized, those owners who may have had the software installed will be subject to the terms of the class action settlement agreement. They may find themselves left to working out issues, if possible, with class counsel or the manufacturer and they may not able to pursue a different outcome, legally, financially or otherwise.

Looking back at previous emissions scandals, there are a variety of instances in which vehicle performance can and has been impacted to a significant degree by the software updates the cases require in order for compensation to be received. Issues widely reported in the aftermath of an emissions software update being released for installation on vehicles can include:

• Decreases in the fuel economy or a general “drop” in MPGs

• Noticeable problems with acceleration, especially when attempting to moving forward after a stop, as well as when working to merge into traffic

• Increased usage of fluids related to the emissions system

• Failure of key emissions parts and/or the engine itself

• Concerns and difficulties surrounding start-up, especially when temperatures dip and require a scenario like ‘cold starting’

• Problematic and noticeable drops in resale value

• And more

It remains to be seen what will come of the Cruze emissions class action, or how any emissions software fix released by the manufacturer impacts vehicle performance and resale value. However, we do feel it is incredibly important for current and former Cruze owners to monitor the case closely and contact our firm for more information on how emissions cases work so that they can be best informed if/when a decision on whether to opt out must be made.

Contact Our Firm Today for Cruze Emissions Class Action Updates

Stern Law and/or its Co-counsel have proudly represented thousands of victims of emissions cheating involving current and former owners of Volkswagen, FCA (Fiat Chrysler), RAM, Ford and Mercedes vehicles. Many of these cases involved major class action settlements. While owners discovered they were negatively impacted by and subject to the terms of the class settlement, our firm worked to assist thousands of clients who benefited by timely opting out of the class action settlement, enabling them to pursue their own individual claims for all the compensation they deserved. Even as our work in Mercedes and Ford Super Duty emissions scandal matters is continuing, Stern Law is now turning its attention to the ongoing Chevy Cruze emissions lawsuit that shows no sign of slowing. What's more, given the manner in which class members have previously been automatically subject to class settlements in emissions matters, we think it is incredibly important for current and former owners of Clean Turbo Diesel Cruze vehicles to pay close attention to how this emissions litigation goes forward and resolves.

Make no mistake, we are not class counsel and we are not actively suing manufacturers to increase emission standards or impact environmental legislation. Stern Law has decades of experience helping our clients make the most out of bad situations they never expected to find themselves in. For emissions cheating litigation, our firm focuses on what compensation a current or former owner deserves as an alternative to a class action settlement they will otherwise be forced into. We have seen firsthand how an emissions class action settlement can force current owners to install software on their vehicle in order to receive any even limited compensation. And even with extended warranty coverage, we have seen many find the amount offered to be grossly inadequate due to the impact of that software on vehicle performance, MPGs, resale value and more. Such hindsight carries with it no value, only frustration, for those who failed to timely opt out of their own emissions class action settlement. As a result, those who would be directly impacted by a Cruze emissions class action emissions cheating case would benefit from exploring all of the facts, as well as their legal options, before being automatically and forever bound to the terms of any class settlement. 

If you are a current or former owner of a 2014-15 vehicle equipped with the Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel emissions system, our firm is available to speak with you about legal options outside of a class action settlement. While we expect the class action to automatically apply to every current and former owner unless they opt out during a very limited period of time, perhaps as short as forty-five days, our firm seeks to provide options to those who feel the class action settlement does not fit their needs or provide them with the compensation they deserve. Our attorneys and Co-counsel in this matter have decades of experience in emissions claims, with active participation in the Volkswagen, FCA, RAM, Ford and Mercedes emissions scandals. In the event of a Chevy Cruze emissions class action settlement, our clients will be provided the resources needed to review the terms of that agreement and decide if they wish to remain in the class or continue forward with our firm by pursuing their own individual claim for all the compensation they may deserve. At no out-of-pocket cost to our clients, this presents a unique and invaluable opportunity for current and former owners involved in the Chevy Cruze emissions scandal. 

Stern Law can be reached at (844) 808-7529 or by filling out our website's contact form. We are eager to provide transparency, clarity and more about the information provided above and hope to speak with you about your legal rights today.