A judge in Florida federal court has put her stamp of approval on a $42 million settlement agreement which resolves three lawsuits claiming that General Motors sold vehicles with an oil consumption defect.
Plaintiffs Ellen Berman and Dayana Guach allege that General Motors model year 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain cars that have 2.4-liter Ecotec engines suffer from the defect that consumes oil at a very high rate.
The primary cause of the defect is malfunctioning piston rings, which are prone to premature wear, the judge’s order states. The defect necessitates the need for the car owner to replenish the car’s oil more frequently.
The plaintiffs filed suit in September 2018, claiming that General Motors breached their written warranties under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Two other class action lawsuits were subsequently filed, based on similar allegations. The judge’s approval of the settlement resolves the claims in these three cases.
Starting in 2014, General Motors issued Special Coverage Adjustments (SCAs) for the model years 2010-2012 of the class vehicles, the judge’s order reads.
The SCAs were put into effect to extend the class vehicles’ warranty for piston replacement beyond the normal warranty expiration period, which was five years or 100,000 miles.
“The SCAs provided that owners of Class Vehicles could take their vehicles to a dealership and undergo an oil consumption diagnosis. If the diagnosis indicated excessive oil consumption, GM would replace the piston rings for free, if the vehicle was within certain time and mileage limitations,” the judge states in her order.
The Settlement Class is defined as: “All persons within the United States who purchased or leased, at any time before the Preliminary Approval Date, a new retail or used model year 2010, 2011, 2012, or 2013 Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain vehicle equipped with 2.4 liter Ecotec engines, manufactured prior to the Production Change, and who have not executed a prior release of claims related to Class Vehicle oil consumption or resulting piston or engine damage in favor of GM.”
In addition, the judge’s order states that, for model year 2010-2012 class vehicles, owners will be able to get a free replacement of piston assemblies at authorized dealerships.
Also, Class Members who already paid for covered repairs but who did not already submit a claim under the Special Coverage Adjustments will have 120 days to submit a claim.
For model year 2013 class vehicles, Class Members will receive free piston assembly replacement. Also, those who previously paid out-of-pocket for repairs can file claims for reimbursement of expenses.
Each Class representative will receive $4,500 as a service payment, which the judge determined to be “appropriate, fair, and reasonable.” This award is being paid by General Motors separately from the funds being made available via the settlement agreement.
Also, the attorneys for the plaintiffs will receive fees of $3,390,351, which is eight percent of the settlement value. Class Counsel will also receive reimbursement of $109,649 for litigation expenses.
Do you own one of the class vehicles mentioned as part of the settlement? Leave a message in the comments section below.
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The plaintiffs 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 Lawsuit is 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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2,106 thoughts on$42M GM Chevy Equinox Oil Guzzling Class Action Settlement Approved
Daughter bought a 2010 Chevy Equinox about 6 months ago. Was not informed of the oil problems. Our bad for not doing research. Having to put oil in it about about every 10 days or so even after just having an oil change. Now looking at needing an engine replacement. Single mother with 3 kids and can’t afford a car note let alone repairs. Anyone now if there is anyway to get in on the class action suit??
I own a 2012 equinox. I purchased it from my mother in 2018. It currently has 43,000 miles on it. We were never notified about a lawsuit or any repairs needed. It now needs a timing chain. My question is, how do I or anyone is this same situation go about getting help? It seems like there are many people in the same situation of not being informed of the issue.
Imagine that I just put oil in my 2013 Chevy equinox it was bone dry I have to do this about 4 times or more in between oil changes not cool not fair single mom of one I can’t afford a new car!! Not fair for anyone who owns this car ugh
I have been trying to get my 2010 Equinox 2.4l engine fixed since it had 48,000 miles on it.
The truck was at the dealership 2 or 3 times and each time I was told something different. First I has told that it was normal for the 2.4l to use some oil (sucked into the intake) I was told.
Then the service writer told me some of the 2.4l engines will USE a little oil if reved up, hard on gas and late transmission shifts. I even asked to make sure that this was written down on my account so that if a problem occurred in the future it can be proved that it was a pre-existing condition.
Of course next time I stop at the dealer with my oil change/ oil use records I made.
Every oil change, the date and mileage.
Date oil level was checked and how low it was.
Of course nothing was done.
Now the class action suit is finalized I’d like to know how I can collect since I’ve already paid to have the engine replaced. Thank you for your help with this matter.
I own a 2012 chevy equinox with same problem. How do I get fixed through gm?
I recently purchased a 2013 Equinox in October 2020 and im having problems with the engine also. Have to check the oil every time i put gas in the car. My car cuts off at red lights and stop signs. It makes a clicking noise when i step on the gas petal.
It’s because the engines losing oil pressure and can’t spend easily enough so it stalls that’s why you’ll sit here alone always from the train at that time because the oil pressure goes away and the timing chain gets loose.
WOW!!! I had to sell my 2011 chevy Equinox as a dead engine and the dealership quoted 8k to repair!! I was not getting my mail to my correct address – therefore missed out on this whole lawsuit! I am wondering if there is something else..?
I have a 2015 equinox and the oil consumption has been terrible!!!! Every month I have to check the oil and now, it’s currently in the shop for TIMING CHAIN!!!! 1300 bucks and I cannot afford it!!!
Just bought a 2010 Chevy equinox, drove it hone and the engine light came on, dealership paid to replace the selrnoids. Now a month later had to take it back, it’s using an excessive amount of oil and timing chain was loose
Just got my denial letter after having paid $4,500 for a fix. I had 123k miles (over the 120k mile limit). This is a joke.
What was the cut off date? Mine was denied for the same reason.
I read that wrong. I’m under 100k miles still but was past the cut off date for repairs. What was the cut off date? Does anyone know?
I read 10 years or 120,000 miles
Have a 2011 that uses an excessive amount of oil. The dealer supposedly put a new crate jasper engine in..but immediately I noticed it was still knocking at startup and still using escessive oil with no oil light coming on for a warning. The transmission just went out and the catalic converter is plugged and needs replaced. I just received my denial letter as well.
I’ve purchased a 2012 equinox in March of 2020 and I’ve had nothing but problems. The transfer case went out. It uses a lot of oil and a display light never comes on so you don’t even know when it needs it.