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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1,181 thoughts onGM class action claims Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain vehicles have faulty engines
I purchased a 2014 Chevy Equinox and timing belt broke after having the oil changed 2 months previously. End results were engine failure without any warning. No warning lights on the dash. The manufacturing company obviously knew there were issues with the 2.4 liter engines. But still no recalls. I am now without a vehicle.
Absolutely I’m still dealing with this!! My car is in the shop and parked more than I get to drive it! It’s in the shop and I got told it’s still consuming oil. Can we just sue them now! Chevy says oh your vehicle isn’t recalled, have Chevy look at your engine and you pay fees to do so WTH???
Purchase 2017 Equinox in 2023 from a dealership. One month after oil change, engine went with about 75k miles on it, no oil. Out of 30 day dealership warranty, still had a loan on it, had to spend $10k to fix. Less than 2 years later, timing chain went, telling us we need ANOTHER new engine!!!! Last one was supposedly warranted but they ate fighting us for 3 months now. Still not fixed. Looking for MI lawsuit. Never again will we purchase from GM. They clearly knew about this!!!!
2015 GMC Terrain, 2.4L, 130,000 miles. All required routine maintenance done. Twice now within a 4 month period upon checking oil level, no oil registered on oil stick, had to pour up to 3 quarts to fill. No warning light for low oil at all. I have not taken it to dealership yet for evaluation, but after very little research have found this to be a known issue with these vehicles–faulty engine parts.