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
I have a 2013 Chevy Equinox and it burns way to much oil. Plus is leaking oil from the crankshaft. I have never had the oil light come on. What can be done? This is not right only with 69,000 miles.
I own a 2013 Chevy Equinox, I purchased used in October 2020. I have issues with it running low on oil, but have been diligent about checking it. Now the timing chains are loose, and a whole bunch of other issues. Totalling $3,200. How do I get more information about the class action?
Friend had this happen to her how does she start or find out what she is entitled or what to do 2185930448
My 2012 Equinox was brought in for service in May with engine concern from using to much oil. I was told while draining oil the old oil had a glitter look and suspect something is coming apart internally but couldn’t give a cost to fix until motor removed torn apart and problem found without idea of cost had to decline what if when done I couldn’t afford repair? Never said anything about oil issue (reason it was there) now camshaft cover comes off hits pistons no compression and wants $8,100 new motor car is only worth $5,500 and offered $700 as scrape. Neither GM nor I G Burton Lewes Auto Mall will replace motor and I G Burton Lewes Auto Mall used the same Repair Estate sheet over & over so I have 6 sheet saying “while draining oil” when they never did drain oil but 2 times and also says I need drive belt when it was replaced in July not to mention they logged my mileage as 120,000 Sept 116,000 Oct 118,000 Nov & 120,000 end of Nov and car has not been driven since 11/9/21. Never buy from Chevy or I G Burton too many mistakes and they tried to tell me my computer was responsible for changing dates on their work sheets and they could only view old statements but not print or email them since they were on different system.
I have a 2013 Chevy Equinox. It has continually burned oil at an alarming rate. I’ve spent at least $8000 trying to fix the issue. My engine has suffered as a result. I hate this car, but I need it to go to dialysis.
I did not know of this issue, so when my Saab finally died I went back to the same dealership and bought a 2014 Equinox. It blows through oil fats, and I drive 500 miles a week for work alone. What a piece of garbage. I haven’t had a decent Chevy vehicle since my ’79 pickup when I was a kid. I am so disappointed in GM, they used to be the go-to and now they cut corners wherever they can. Now my only solution is to check my oil every single morning, right now in a Michigan winter, and hope I don’t forget and blow my engine
I have a 2010 equinox with 63000 miles it uses over a quart a thousand miles
I have a 2013 Chevy equinox that consumes excessive oip
I have a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox and my motor just went out. It consumed a lot of oil but I never saw an oil leak.
I own a used 2011 Chevy equinox… Have and had problems with oil consumption and I did get notification about this but only after the expiration date. So I had no chance in hell to get the Pistons or whatever changed. Is there anything I can do
Ihave a 2013 equinox it has a very bad oil consumption problem . Chevy has had a couple recalls we were with in the 7 year range but milage was 140 ours was around 149 so done nothing a little while later another recall still in the 7 year limit up their miles still was to high mowing this vehicles has had bad issues called and talked to dealer nothing message the lawyer for gm no feed back what so ever . Always been a Chevy person but this is pushing me away.
Also talked the local mechanic and gm and they said they were bad for timing issues as well and it not just the equinox ,its terrans and all the 2.4 engine. Their all junk several different year models if I was a company of this demeanor I’d be ashamed to put out an engine like this but they got played so piss on the customer.