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Most people buying a nearly six-figure electric truck expect cutting-edge tech, exceptional performance, and above all, peace of mind. But what happens when one of the most expensive trucks in the country breaks down repeatedly in its first few months and you find out that because it’s a little too heavy, the state won’t protect you? That’s the situation Nick Felix found himself in, and posting about his frustration in the GMC Sierra EV Group, we read how his GMC Sierra EV Edition 1 was denied a buyback even after four service visits and more than 30 days in the shop. That was simply because its GVWR exceeds 10,000 pounds. Here’s how he put it:
“I got a call today from my case manager at the BBB that GMC had denied my buy back. Arizona’s Lemon Law is 30 days or 4 times in the shop for the same issue. I have 31 days in the shop and 4 times for air suspension in the first 5 months of ownership. But I guess with Arizona Lemon Law, if the vehicle’s GVWR is over 10,000, which my Edition 1 is 10,500, then it doesn’t fall under Arizona Lemon Law. It also means I can’t go to arbitration. I lost complete trust in this car and don’t want it anymore. Has anyone else run into this issue?”
Why GVWR Changes Everything
Nick’s story hits a nerve because it highlights a blind spot in state-level consumer protection laws. Despite having clear qualifications that would make most vehicles eligible for buyback under Arizona’s lemon law, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of his Sierra EV Edition completely disqualifies him from legal protection. That GVWR number, which includes vehicle weight plus maximum payload, becomes the loophole automakers benefit from when things go wrong.
We’re also seeing other issues like high-voltage isolation affecting some GMC Sierra EVs. These are all perfect examples of the kind of recurring failures that might normally trigger lemon law protections but don’t qualify just yet.
Community Weighs In on Weight Ratings
As more high-performance electric trucks like the GMC Sierra EV Edition 1 and Hummer EV enter the market, more buyers are likely to find themselves in similar uncertainty.
Zook Johnson commented under Nick’s post trying to clarify the numbers: “The GMC Sierra EV Edition 1 has a curb weight of approximately 8,802 to 8,987 pounds. For example, MotorTrend recorded a curb weight of 8,802 pounds for the Denali Edition 1 model they tested.”
Nick replied: “GVWR is 10,500 lbs on a Denali max range which is what matters in this case. Most laws like this use the GVWR.”
That distinction between curb weight and GVWR might seem small, but in cases like this, it’s the difference between consumer protection and no legal recourse at all.
Another member, Greg Guarnaccia, added his experience from another state: “Maryland has a similar loophole in the Lemon Law where it excludes vehicles 10,000 lbs GVWR and over. There is no stipulation that the weight limit applies only to commercial vehicles even though the intent was to exclude them by the weight. Definitely get a lawyer and specifically ask about their fee. Be prepared if they require you to cover their costs if you don’t win. On a side note, at this weight you’re technically supposed to stop at weight stations in MD. No exceptions for passenger vehicles as well. These laws are outdated and need to be adjusted.”
The Legal System Doesn’t Seem to Have Caught Up
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His comment underscores how outdated vehicle weight laws are colliding with the realities of issues today. While the performance and utility of these trucks are often praised, owners are also discovering that owning one can come with unexpected setbacks. Even beyond the EV space, problems like this exist in GMC’s broader lineup. For instance, a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Denali owner had to lemon-law their truck after just 8,000 miles due to transmission issues. So this isn’t just an electric vehicle problem, it’s also worth mentioning the brand-wide consistency.
Jay Nonya chimed in with what many see as the only viable option left: “Get a lawyer who specializes in lemon laws. I had one for another vehicle and they won’t take the case unless they know they will win and they don’t get paid until they win either.”
That advice may work for some cases, but for others like Nick, the reality could be that no lawyer can overcome a law that simply excludes your vehicle outright.
The Split Between Happy and Frustrated Owners
The irony here is painful. GMC is marketing these trucks as the future, and in some ways they really are. The ride quality and features have left many owners feeling like they’re driving a dream. A lot of owners have expressed their excitement saying they absolutely love their GMC Sierra EV Denali due to those factors. But for those stuck with serious service issues, it’s a different story.
I think what bothers me most about this story is how invisible the issue is until it’s too late. Most buyers don’t even know what GVWR means, let alone how it affects their legal rights. It’s wild to think that you could spend this much money on what you believe is a top-of-the-line EV, deal with repeated service visits, and still be told, “Sorry, the law doesn’t apply to you.”
Some of these rules are clashing with the future of vehicle design. Consumers are adapting to new technology faster than lawmakers are updating the protections that should probably come with it. And that’s a gap that someone needs to fill.
Key Takeaways:
- Lemon law loopholes exist for heavy electric vehicles, especially those over 10,000 lbs GVWR, which means many luxury EV truck buyers are left unprotected.
- GVWR, not curb weight, is the legal standard, so even a 500-pound difference can disqualify you from coverage.
- State lemon laws vary widely, and several exclude vehicles simply based on weight, not use-case or cost.
- Getting a lawyer might not help if the law doesn’t cover your vehicle to begin with, which is why buyers should research protections before purchase.
- The GMC Sierra EV has split the owner base, with some calling it an engineering marvel and others detailing serious breakdowns and repeated failures.
- Broader GMC issues aren’t exclusive to electric models, which might indicate deeper systemic problems within the brand’s quality control and customer service pipelines.
Join the Conversation
Have you ever run into a similar lemon law loophole or warranty nightmare that caught you off guard?
And if you own a Sierra EV or another GMC truck, do you think the ownership experience outweighs the risks?
I’d love to hear from you in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: GMC’s gallery.
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Source: torquenews.com
