GM class action claims Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain vehicles have faulty engines

GM engines class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Rachel Buchholz filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors LLC. 
• Why: Buchholz claims GM knowingly sold model year 2014-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles allegedly equipped with defective 2.4-liter engines. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Missouri federal court. 

General Motors sold and leased certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles containing defective 2.4-liter engines that are unable to properly utilize their engine oil, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Rachel Buchholz claims GM knew when selling the vehicles that the 2.4-liter engines contained a defect that allegedly caused them to improperly burn off and/or “consume abnormally high amounts of oil.” 

Buchholz argues the 2.4-liter engines contain piston and piston ring assemblies that were faultily designed and low-tension oil rings—installed by GM—that allegedly do not “maintain sufficient tension to keep oil in the crank case.” 

“The Oil Consumption Defect is a substantial safety concern because it causes excessive oil consumption that cannot be reasonably anticipated or predicted, and causes the engine to run while dangerously low on engine oil,” states the GM class action. 

Buchholz wants to represent a Missouri class of current and former owners or lessees of a model year 2014-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with a 2.4-liter engine. 

Alleged GM engine defect puts Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain vehicle owners in danger, says class action

Consumers who own a Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain vehicle with the allegedly defective 2.4-liter engine are in danger of engine fire, unexpected engine shutdowns, vehicle jerking, and unexpected loss of power, among other things, the GM class action alleges. 

“The Oil Consumption Defect is unreasonably dangerous because it can cause engine failure while the Class Vehicles are in operation at any time and under any driving conditions or speeds,” states the GM class action. 

Buchholz claims GM is in violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. She is demanding a jury trial and requesting declaratory relief along with an award of compensatory, actual, and punitive damages for herself and all class members. 

A separate class action lawsuit was filed against GM in 2019 by a consumer arguing the automaker sold Chevrolet Equinox SUVs that allegedly burned through motor oil at an excessive rate, leading to engine damage. 

Have you purchased a Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain vehicle equipped with a 2.4-liter engine? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Eric L. Dirks and Matthew L. Dameron of Williams Dirks Dameron LLC. 

The GM engines class action lawsuit is Buchholz, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 5:23-cv-06004, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

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