General Motors (GM) will have to pay up to $12,700 to owners of certain Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles due to a fault in the injection system that left thousands of drivers stranded with a costly bill. After years of complaints, a judge has approved a preliminary settlement of $50 million, although the brand does not admit to any wrongdoing.
The fault affects models with Duramax engines manufactured between 2011 and 2016. The problem is with a key part: the CP4 fuel pump, which was incompatible with the diesel sold in several states in the United States. And the worst part is not just that it broke. The worst part is that when it failed, it contaminated the entire fuel system, rendering the car useless.
Which models are affected?
If you have a Chevrolet Silverado or a GMC Sierra with a Duramax engine manufactured between 2011 and 2016, your car might have that CP4 pump. The component came from Europe and was not designed for the type of fuel used in the U.S. The result? The pump could break internally, releasing metal shavings that damaged injectors, rails, pipes, and even the fuel tank. A failure that could cost more than $10,000.
How much can you receive?
Up to $12,700 per vehicle, depending on the damage suffered and whether the car is still in your possession or if you sold it. The settlement includes drivers from six states: California, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. If you bought the vehicle there and had it repaired for this issue, you could recover what you spent.
Does General Motors acknowledge the fault?
No. At no point has it publicly admitted that it was a design flaw. But it has agreed to pay. The reason is simple: it doesn’t want to drag out the trial or damage its image further. According to case documents, GM knew from the start that the pump didn’t work well with local diesel, but they kept installing it for years anyway.
Why is this fault so serious?
Because it’s not just any failure. When the CP4 pump breaks, the entire system gets contaminated. It’s like a single broken screw ruining the entire engine. And when that happens, the workshops don’t repair it—they replace half the car. Hence the exorbitant bills. And since the brand didn’t acknowledge it, many owners were left without help and with a broken car.
What can you do if you have one of these cars?
For now, the settlement is preliminary, but you can start preparing documentation: repair bills, workshop reports, papers proving that the car was yours. Once the settlement is fully approved, an official website will be opened to submit claims. If you were affected, you’ll get something.
This may be just the beginning
This case goes beyond money. It opens the door for other brands to be held accountable if they hide known faults. And there are more cars out there with similar injection systems. So, if the CP4 turns out to be as problematic as it seems, more cases like this could emerge.
If your car is among the affected, don’t let it pass. Although GM isn’t saying it out loud, they’ve already had to open their wallet. It’s their way of closing the issue without admitting fault. But the damage is done, and this settlement is your opportunity to recover what you lost.
Because, mistakes happen. But when they happen, and the brand knew about it, it’s only fair they pay. And this time, they finally will. So, if you are part of this recall, just claim what’s yours.