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
HOW DO I GET MY MONEY FOR THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? WE FILLED OUT ALL THE PAPERWORK WE HAVE RECEIVED. DEALING WITH THIS OIL ISSUE IS GETTING REALLY ANNOYING AND PRICEY.
I have a 2013 Equinox and it is having these same problems as well as Timing chain problem. However no one will touch I have went to a chevy dealership her in florida and they told me “It’s an older car get used to it or get rid of it.” I called chevy customer service they could not help me either, they said there “was nothing we can do, I’m sorry.” I’m at my whit’s end, and dont have $5000.00 to replace the engine. Can someone help me please?
A few days ago I bought a 2012 Equinox from JD Rider in Burlington, Iowa. I’m one fixed income and 72 yes old I was not told anything about this. Can I get out of this deal. What do I do??
I also own a 2013 GMC Terrian wish I knew of all these problems before my purchase. This vehicle needs to much oil in it can’t drive it to far without checking the oil.
I also own a 2013 GMC Terrian wish I knew of all these problems before my purchase. This vehicle needs to much oil in it can’t drive it to far without checking the oil.
i have a 2011 chev equinox that has the 2.4l ecotec motor …suv has 75853 miles on it…
it has oil comsumption problem…need to get fixed by gm!!!!!!!!
How do we join the class action lawsuits. I have a 2013 Chevy equinox who’s engine just seized up 500 miles after oil change. Engine was dry of oil with no leaks………
I bought a 2012 Equinox how do I participate in the class action suit?
I just bought a 2012 equinox and it consumes a lot of oil. Can I still get it fixed?
My mother has a 2011 Chevy Equinox with the same problems going on as far as the oil consumption. The dealership in our home town said she was not covered by any warranty or recall to have this issue fixed. She has since taken her vehicle to a mechanic, which I am sure the correct item was not repaired. Her mechanic told her if it was the pistons, then she would have to get a new engine. She just wants the mechanical issue, which apparently is a result of GM to be fixed. Her vehicle only has 66,000 miles on it. Who do we need to contact to have this situation rectified?
I have a 2011 Equinox that had the pistons and related parts replaced under the GM Oil Consumption Campaign @ 99,000 miles. Car ran fine, no oil issues. 177,000 miles, car ran fine until one morning I tried to start it and found that the timing chain is broken, and engine is destroyed. I changed the oil before the monitoring system said to, usual at around 10% remaining, or 5,000 miles. Will never, EVER buy another GM product, even though my parents both retired from there. Subaru week be getting my hard earned money from now on.