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
2011 Chevy equinox 2.4 Bought my son this car a few months and now it’s blown up . He just had the oil changed in April has had to keep putting oil in it . And now the motor blew up . I want it repaired
My claim was denied. I was told that I had no evidence that my repairs were called by oil consumption. A FOOL!!!! Motors do not lock up continually for just no reason at all. I sent in all of the information that I needed to send in. I WANT MY REIMBURSEMENTS. I was stranded on the side of the road in Tuskegee Alabama a few years ago. It was like 9 degrees and of course a wrecker was like 35 miles away. They said they would not reimburse wrecker fees. This is a scam. There was/is money to be given to individuals who suffered due to these janky vehicles but they make it so hard to get what is rightfully due to us.
2012 equinox sucking oil like no tomorrow.
I have a 2010 GMC Terrain SLE and it is currently at the mechanic now for this exact issue. Please add me to the list. No sure of next steps.
I have a 2012 Chevy Equinox and it has given me nothing but trouble since I bought it from the dealer. I moved a lot in the recent years and am curious if I may have qualified for this but never received my paperwork. Who should I call?
I have a 2014 Chevy Eqinox that the motor just failed the past week. I am told it will cost 11000 to replace. If the extended warranty does not cover it what can I do?
I have. 2014 Equinox that is burning oil, are 2014’s included in this? I was told by the dealership that it could cost over $4000.00 to repair.
I have a 2013 GMC Terrain and have paid for several repairs regarding oil leaks and engine problems.
I have a 2013 GMC Terrain with the 2.4 engine. It is using about 1 quart of oil per week. I took it to the local GM dealer and they want $5k to do the repair. They also said that it is out of the parameter to fix it under GM’s coverage. What can I do to get this covered. And how long will it take for action?
What’s the deal with this crap they r selling to the public? First time I go n buy myself a newer car n it’s a 2014 equinox manufactured in 11/13 the plate says it has a jumped timing chain same problems every 4000 mile oil change I was putting 2 to 3 quarts of oil in it. I bought this from a Chevy dealership in beginning of 19 they sold me a vehicle they knew wouldn’t last over 100,000 miles I have a 1994 Chevy an 07 Chevy both with 300,000 miles and I have this 14 Chevy n it’s crap! It’s sitting at dealership gm sent me there for oil issue it hasn’t been put on one computer n the guy calls me already says it’s not under recall off of my vin. Does the judge know they kept putting these engines in these cars I have a loan on my car n now need a motor at 100,000 miles screw this place never again will I ever buy a Chevy!! If gm doesn’t help me I’m not keeping this car this day n age we hardly are making it fuel prices outrageous n now I have a car that is new n needs a motor nope I’m not playing this game!! This is not fair to us or my children I buy a nice car to keep from breaking down adding 2 to 3 quarts of oil between oil changes n my other ones old as dirt never leaked oil n never burnt it to no where n they have 300,000 miles so I know for a fact it’s not operator error it’s manufactured error!! This is unacceptable!!! So sorry kids moms new car is junk n I still owe money on it this is not fair to the consumer!! Obviously gm doesn’t care!! My car is diagnosed without being diagnosed sits in their parking lot probably gonna cost me too!!
I have a 2012 Chevy equinox with the 2.4 l in it and it guzzles oil where and how do I go about getting this fixed?
Lost power, oil spewed on engine and all over highway. Complained several years ago about this. My daughter and I were almost hit by a semi as a result. No acknowledgement. Had to have a whole new motor put in! HAVE RECEIVED NO MONEY WHAT SO EVER FOR REIMBURSEMENT!