Understanding the California Lemon Law Implications of GM's Evaporative Emissions Purge Pump Issue

In June 2024, General Motors (GM) issued Special Coverage Bulletin N242441120 addressing a potential defect in the evaporative emissions purge pump of certain 2021 model-year vehicles. This bulletin specifically pertains to the following models equipped with the 2.0L turbocharged LSY engine:

• Buick Envision

• Chevrolet Blazer

• Cadillac XT4, CT4, CT5, XT5, XT6

• GMC Acadia​

The identified issue involves the potential failure of the evaporative emissions purge pump, which can trigger the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (commonly known as the "Check Engine" light) and set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) such as P1467, P146B, P146F, among others. To address this, GM has extended the warranty coverage for this specific component to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the original in-service date of the vehicle. Under this special coverage, GM dealers are instructed to replace the purge pump at no cost to the customer if it is found to be defective.​

Lemon Law Considerations

While GM's extended warranty offers a proactive solution, some vehicle owners may still experience repeated issues related to the purge pump or other components, leading to multiple repair attempts and prolonged periods of vehicle unavailability. In such cases, consumers might consider exploring their rights under state Lemon Laws.​

For instance, California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) provides protection to consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to be defective. Under this law, if a vehicle has a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or its agents cannot repair the vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement or refund.​

Key Points to Consider:

• Documentation: Keep detailed records of all repair attempts, including dates, descriptions of the issues, and the duration your vehicle was out of service.​

• Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts: While the law doesn't specify an exact number, generally, if the same problem persists after four or more repair attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for more than 30 days cumulatively, it may qualify as a "lemon."​

• Notification: Inform the manufacturer in writing about the persistent issues and give them an opportunity to address the problem.​

• Legal Consultation: Consider consulting with a Lemon Law attorney to evaluate your case and guide you through the process.​

Next Steps for Affected Vehicle Owners

If you own one of the affected 2021 GM models and have experienced issues related to the evaporative emissions purge pump:

1. Check for Special Coverage Eligibility: Contact your local GM dealer to determine if your vehicle qualifies for the extended warranty coverage under Bulletin N242441120.

2. Schedule an Inspection: If eligible, schedule an appointment with the dealer for a diagnostic check and potential replacement of the purge pump at no cost.​

3. Monitor Vehicle Performance: After the repair, continue to monitor your vehicle for any recurring issues and document them meticulously.​

4. Explore Legal Options: If problems persist despite multiple repair attempts, consult with a Lemon Law attorney to assess whether you have a viable claim under your state's Lemon Law provisions.​

If you’re in California and your Acadia, Blazer or Cadillac has had these issues, call Valero Law, APC at (424) 299-4447 or complete our free Lemon Law case evaluation form today.