Emily Sortor  |  April 30, 2019

Category: Auto News

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Chevrolet Equinox in the woodsGeneral Motors has reportedly reached a settlement deal with consumers who claim that certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs possess defective engines that use too much oil.

The proposed GM class action settlement is worth between $40 million and $45 million, and will cover three related class action lawsuits over the engine oil issue.

Under the terms of the GM class action settlement, General Motors will establish a program to cover the costs of repairing affected SUVs after the warranty has expired, and to reimburse owners who paid out-of-pocket to repair damage allegedly related to the excessive oil consumption problem.

The settlement deal was struck to avoid the continued costs and risks of pursuing further litigation.

According to the drivers’ motion for preliminary settlement approval, “absent a settlement, the final resolution of the litigation through the trial process may require several more months or even years of protected , adversarial litigation and appeals, which will delay relief to the tens of thousands of possible settlement class members.”

The drivers went on to say that the GM class action settlement posed an opportunity for the drivers to receive more compensation than they otherwise would have, because reportedly, GM would attempt to have two of the related class action lawsuits — those filed in California and Illinois — dismissed, which would possibly result in Class Members receiving no compensation.

As part of the proposed GM engine defect class action settlement, General Motors will pay up to $2.5 million in attorney fees and expenses.

The three related suits that the GM oil settlement deal will cover claimed that the affected engines were in certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.

One suit was filed in September 2018 by Florida residents Ellen Berman and Dayana Guach. They claimed that the SUVs have a defect that causes the engines to consume as much as 1 quart of oil for every 1,000 miles driven. Allegedly, drivers are not notified of this over use, so oil levels can fall dangerously low.

The Florida residents argued that the defect posed a substantial safety risk to drivers, and therefore “the class vehicles do not provide for safe and reliable transportation.”

Other class action lawsuits over the same issue were filed in California in 2017 and in Illinois in April 2018.

In the engine oil class action lawsuit filed in Illinois, drivers argued that the excessive oil use of the engines led to a range of problems, which reportedly included the engines shutting down and losing power unexpectedly.

Additionally, the Illinois drivers argued that the vehicles could stall and start fires unexpectedly.

The majority of claims brought forward by drivers in the California engine oil class action lawsuit were dismissed in June. A judge argued that the drivers had not sufficiently established that their vehicles were affected by a manufacturing defect that was, as the drivers claimed, covered by the vehicle’s warranty.

Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.

The GM vehicle owners are represented by Rachel Soffin, Gregory F. Coleman, Adam A. Edwards and Mark E. Silvey of Greg Coleman Law PC, Robert Ahdoot of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC, and Daniel K. Bryson and J. Hunter Bryson of Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP.

The GM Chevrolet Equinox SUV Oil Consumption Defect Class Action Lawsuits are Ellen Berman, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 2:18-­cv-­14371, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida; Hindsman, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 3:17-cv-05337, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California; and Sanchez, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 1:18-cv-02536, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

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142 thoughts onGM Oil-­Guzzling SUVs Class Action Settlement Valued at $40M

  1. JOHN Hernandez says:

    I would like to be include in the lawsuit against GM. I have a 2010 Equinox. The kept running low. the engine then failed. I don’t have the money to replace the engine and I still have a loan on it. how can get out of this situation? I need GM to replace the engine without cost to me.

    1. Brandy Jones says:

      I have my equinox at the dealership now and they are saying it expired and I got a letter in March , about all of this ! I have 2 years left in the loan .

      1. Jerilyn Abadie says:

        Our 2013 Equinox engine died with no prior warning. Chevy dealership is telling us we need to buy a new engine ($8000). Got a second quote for rebuilt engine ($7200) and we still owe 17 months. We didn’t receive any info from GM about any engine issues. This has put us in an awkward position financially. We can’t afford a new engine nor do we want to invest in one knowing about the 2013 engine problems. According to my research, some people are on their second and third engine. That’s ridiculous!

        1. Martha says:

          Yes. That is true. We have put at least 2 in. The first one unexpectedly stopped in the middle of a major highway and we were about hit. Blew oil out all over everywhere. Paid well over $6000 for a rebuilt engine and same oil leak and more repairs. 3rd engine and have had repaired as well.

    2. Lewis Ellwanger says:

      I also have a 2010 equinox that has had numerous engine issues. How do we get included on this.

  2. DEBORAH H MITCHELL says:

    GMC offers no assistance in getting my 2013 GMC terian fixed for oil consumption.

  3. Tyler Duffy says:

    We have a 2013 equinox that was made before the change in piston ring design. a few months after buying the car (used) It had a catastrophic engine failure due to excessive pressure that burst the main seal. I mentioned the class action and the extreme oil consumption to the dealership. The Chevy dealership gave me the run around and I paid over $3,000 Dollars to get it fixed (a new seal and they cleaned the intake and other parts and said to use premium oil). Even with premium oil the car still goes through oil extremely fast. Ive called Analytic Consultation LLC and have not been able to reach someone or get a call back. Is there anyone else I can call or can I hire my own attorney to help get reimbursed? any help or advise would be great!

    1. Martha says:

      Us exactly. Nothing wrong they said. No recalls they said.

  4. Zabian Walker says:

    2010 GMC Terrain uses lots of oil

  5. Delmar and Deborah Pace says:

    We have a 2013 Equinox that is burn oil and the engine running hard. Please help

  6. Charles Glagola says:

    Just purchased a used 2013 Chevy Equinox in February 2020 and have already added 3 qts of oil in only 900 miles. REALLY
    Anyone know how I can add my name to the list

    1. Michelle L Bixler says:

      2013 Equinox using oil like crazy and now warning lights come on. Check oil yesterday and no oil on the dip stick added 3 quarts. CRAZY . Any information on this wold be greatly appreciated!!!

  7. David Lipperd says:

    Have a 2012 Equinox and it is always low on oil or completely dry without any warning light showing. Oil has to be added weekly. How can I get added to this lawsuit? Paying for the repairs upfront and then being reimbursed by GM is unacceptable! $3000 to $4000 out of pocket for a known issue is ludicrous! Shame on you GM!! Please contact me with information on this lawsuit. Thank you.

  8. Cynthia Isztok says:

    I have a 2010 equinox which has had oil consumption and I had to pay for the work. Then the timing chain broke after a year from gms work and only had 1 year warranty. My exhaust manifold cracked twice, my catalytic converter had to be replaced.
    Oil consumption is still a problem. So much money put into this vehicle that looks great but is badly made on the inside.

  9. SAPHRONYA LAFFITTE says:

    I have a 2014 GMC Terrain and I am constantly having to add oil about 1000 miles after my oil change. And when I have to add oil, it is bone dry.

  10. Tina Norman says:

    I have a 2010 Terrain and it is always needing oil. It’s gotten to the point where I check it ever week like clockwork I’m afraid my motor is going to lock up. Please add me

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