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
My 2017 Ecotec 2.4L engine in my Chevy Equinox just seized up and died in the middle of the highway 2 days ago. I had it looked at by 2 places who said that the rear main oil seal blew and the engine ran without any oil until it died. I never had a single warning light, no knocking sound, no error codes, nothing. Oil was changed about 6 weeks ago and no issues. I now have to either pay to replace the engine or salvage my car. I still owe $14k on the loan. I bought it 2.5 years ago and it hasn’t even hit 100k miles yet. I’m devastated.
I had purchased an 2010 Equinox it started using oil I seen on line about this they refused to fix it because I was over the mileage limit they said. I traded it off for a 2017 GMC Terrain and when purchased I ask about the 2.4 engine the salesman said oh no!!! That’s all fixed that don’t happen now. Needless to say after owning the vehicle for 1 1/2 years it is using oil too!!! They refused to fix it or do anything because they said there’s nothing on the bulletins that says it’s a problem. I’m at a loss.. I’ve been duped twice
I’m still making payments on my 2013 equinox and have had nothing but problems. I have only had it maybe 6 months and barely put any miles on it. My car kept stalling so I had to tow it the dealership. They replaced a camshaft solenoid. I was told that the oil was was almost bone dry but a light never came on. It also sounds like the engine is ticking. Plus a handful of other problems.
how do I join in on this have had our car for 3 years. 1 year ago it started running rough took in for repair when they had to replace the timing chain and gears. yesterday 1/8/22 dash light up saying shut off engine low oil pressure. My wife drove 1.5 mile to return home where it finished dumping what was left of oil. What should I do next?
I have a 2010 Equinox, at 42K the dealership put in a new engine as it was still under warranty, but now the second engine is failing, doing exactly what has been described above. I have had to keep up with the oil for the last two or three years. My personal mechanic basically told me that the engine was probably dying and to just keep an eye on the oil until it gets worse. He also told me that it would probably end up needing a new engine. Yesterday on the way to the airport it a turn for the worse and even though I had just checked the oil the day before, it has almost all drained out in one day and one drive. We love the car, but hate the 4cylinder engine for this reason.
2011 EQUINOX, the pistons were replaced several years ago and guess what? its using oil again more so than ever. where do i start to try and get chevrolet to fix it. the mileage is less than 100,000
Thomas I am in the same posistion though the my engine pistions are just now failing and I only have 86,000 miles on mine and Chevrolet is refusing to repair it after i just paid $1,500 to have the timeing chaing and the the fuel pump changed. I failed the “oil test” and according to the GM Service Bulletin #15285C Dated March 2016 is a Special Coverage warranty that if the oil test fails and it did I should have the whole engine replaced. The timing chain and the fuel pump are two parts that should have been included as parts from the Special Coverage Warranty but Smith Chevrolet refuses to honor the warranty!!! Isn’t that a crock now they want another another $2,000 after I only drove 250 miles $1,500 now they want another $2,000 to replace the pistons which will not fix the problem the whlole engine needs to be replaced and they should be proving me with a vehicle. The refused me that as well. How can I become a part of this class action lawsuit?
2012 Equinox 2.4 liter ecotec rapid oil consumption causing timing chain tensioner failure and ultimately causing the timing chain to jump time and need replaced. In need of ring and piston repair to stop the blow by.
Own a 2010 equinox 2.4 ecotech. Always astonished me how quickly there’d suddenly be a concerningly low amount of oil and how harsh it looks. Never knew this was so common. I’m at my last will trying to fix these never-ending engine problems, so many solenoids replaced, ca/crank sensors, several high pressure fuel pumps, and very shortly after get it on the road again i end up stranded, missing work again and once again my family of 4 has lost our only vehicle. Does this class action pose any help recovering the thousands I’ve had to spend?
Yes, my 2011 Equinox is now going thru oil so fast the engine light comes on each day after oil is added. Help!
I have the same issues. Burning oil. Engine starting to fail now.