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
We bought a Chevy 2012 Equinox in January 2021 from a dealer. It has a crazy amount of oil consumption. Is it too late?
We bought a used 2013 GMC Terrain and within 9 months it started acting up. Took it to the service center and they said it needs a whole new engine, $8000! The car is only worth $9000. They said it was because the engine used too much oil. Please help.
I bought my 2012 Equinox brand new, it started started using oil like crazy a several years ago, I have used the recommended oil since day 1 and changed it regularly. I was told the warranty was out, so I was on my own to get it fixed
We bought a 2013 Chevy Equinox December of 2020 for my disabled wife to get back and forth to doctors appointments. Dealership had done oil change recently on the vehicle. Fast forward to June 2021, she has maybe put a couple hundred miles on the vehicle. We take a mini vacation 5 hours from home for three days. Two hours from home car stalls and will not restart no warning lights at all. We decide to check the oil, bone dry, add 3 quarts. Car starts but has all types of warning lights, engine reduction, struggles to stay running and will not go. I have vehicle towed back home to Chevy dealer. They are saying engine has no oil again, timing chains and exhaust manifold, $3000 but won’t guarantee the work because there are other issues inside the motor, total engine failure $11,000 for a new engine.
2013 Equinox. Have owned for 6 years and never received the special warranty letter. Now it is expired and my engine knocks if I don’t put oil in it at least every 2 weeks. Of course dealership and GM won’t help me. What are my options?
I have a 2013 Chevy Equinox and just got back from the dealership. The excessive oil consumption replacement is expired so I’m out of luck unless I want to pay up to 6000.00 for all of the parts and repairs needed. Is there a class action suit?
I own a 2011 GMC Terrain that I bought used in last year in February 2020 I noticed the oil consumption about 6 months after buying it. I did not know about the lawsuit until just now because my engine or transmission just went out in my Terrain yesterday 06/12/2021. What are my options?
I have a 2011 equinox with the 2.4L. Bought it used just prior to COVID shutdown. Didn’t notice oiling problem b/c we weren’t going anywhere. Now that things are opening backup and we’re on the road more, I’m noticing major oil consumption – went through 3 quarts in there weeks, filled up the thing one during that timeframe!
I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox LT….. I bought it in 2013 with only 23,000 miles on it… And it has burnt oil something fierce!!! I’ve always kept a couple of gallons of oil on the back of my car for when I needed it. It’s ridiculous!! Loss of power , can barely go over 45 mph.i would like to get in on the lawsuit
I have a 2013 Chevy Equinox and the oil goes through my truck like 2 or 3 quarts a week now there seems to be metal shavings in it. I would like to file a class action suit regarding the oil it’s terrible.
I have a 2013 Chevy Equinox and it burns oil like I have read here. I also have a problem with it chugging while at a stop. I have. Been told it is a timing chain issue. It can be fixed but not permanently. It will continue to come back.
My 2015 Chevy Equinox just recently had an engine failure. When I took it to the auto repair shop they told me it had no oil which caused the engine failure. He said this was a common problem in Equinoxes. The mechanic said it would be $4,000 for a new engine. I should not have to pay for this and need help please.
I purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox in November from Performance Honda and have been going through a consumption check that Performance Honda is making me do in order to fix the oil consumption – they are requesting i do this for 5,000 miles before they will fix the issue. Today (after doing 3 1,000 mile checks) my car starting smoking jumping jerking and wheel was shaking excessively. I pulled over and parked the car for now. Can someone please get back to me and let me know if this is under warranty to avoid having to deal with Performance Honda?