The Generac class action lawsuit claims generators can fail during emergencies.

The class action lawsuit alleges that Generac sold standby generators with a hidden defect that caused them to fail during power outages, despite the fact that they were marketed as reliable backup power supplies.

Plaintiffs James W. Dawson Jr. and Edmond C. Hill Jr. filed the lawsuit Oct. 18 in federal court in Florida, accusing Generac of violating consumer protection laws. The suit includes 22 kW and 24 kW models sold from 2021 to 2024.

The problem is reported to be slip rings and carbon brushes, which wear out quickly and cause generators to stop working during downtime. This can be dangerous for those who rely on electrical power for medical equipment.

The plaintiffs allege that Generac knew about the defect but offered only a temporary fix instead of a permanent solution and did not issue a recall.

Dawson, who purchased the 24kW model in March 2022, said his generator failed after running for 30 minutes during Hurricane Ian, leaving him without power for nearly a week. He and others reported repeated attempts at repairs without lasting results.

The plaintiffs seek to represent all American purchasers of these defective generators and are seeking damages and a jury trial. The lawsuit follows a previous case against Generac over faulty generators that posed a fire hazard.