In a recent legal filing, a San Francisco resident has taken on a major automobile manufacturer over alleged warranty violations concerning her vehicle. Amanda Colleen Halpin filed a complaint against General Motors, LLC in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on November 4, 2024. The lawsuit accuses General Motors of failing to honor both express and implied warranties under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
The case revolves around a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt that Halpin acquired on February 21, 2022. According to the complaint, Halpin claims that the vehicle has been plagued with defects and malfunctions that substantially impair its use, value, and safety. Despite multiple attempts to have these issues addressed at authorized repair facilities, she alleges that General Motors failed to conform the vehicle to its express written warranties within a reasonable number of repair attempts or during the warranty periods. This failure prompted Halpin to seek legal recourse under California's robust consumer protection laws.
Halpin's lawsuit is built upon two primary causes of action: breach of express warranty and breach of implied warranty as stipulated by the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. The act requires manufacturers like General Motors to either replace defective vehicles or provide restitution if they cannot be repaired satisfactorily within a specified timeframe. In her complaint, Halpin asserts that General Motors was aware of the vehicle’s defects but willfully neglected their obligations under the law by refusing necessary repairs or compensation.
As part of her legal action, Halpin is seeking several forms of relief from the court. She requests a declaration rescinding the sales contract for her Chevrolet Bolt and acknowledges that General Motors had ample opportunity to address her vehicle's issues. Furthermore, she seeks actual damages amounting to $21,516.58 along with consequential and incidental damages according to proof at trial. Additionally, Halpin demands civil penalties amounting to twice her actual damages due to what she describes as willful non-compliance by General Motors.
The plaintiff also calls for restitution of all payments made towards the vehicle and requests reasonable attorney’s fees as well as costs incurred during this litigation process. She is pursuing prejudgment interest at the highest allowable rate and seeks an injunction against further unfair practices by General Motors under California Business & Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq.
Representing Amanda Colleen Halpin in this case are attorneys Neal F. Morrow III and Michael J. Avila from MES Legal Inc., based in Torrance, California. The case has been assigned Case No.: CGC-24-619481 in front of Judge Sahar Enayati at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.