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 Fiancé’ is the original owner of a 2013 Chevy Equinox LT which was bought brand new in Chicago but now we reside in Arizona. The vehicle consumes oil very quickly and need to do oil changes more frequently and have to add oil additives to help slow down the consumption of oil. At one point when I checked the oil dipstick it was dry. I immediately added 2 quarts of oil and took it for an oil change. I thought the engine was going to lock but luckily it did not. I want to find out what we can do for this issue. My fiancé does not feel safe driving the vehicle like this.
Really do like my equinox but not loving the motor issues oil goes to I don’t know where it’s going because it’s not leaking anywhere and now there’s a God aweful noise coming from underneath.
Im original owner 2013 equinox, adding oil monthly. Please are there any options for help.
I have a Chevy Equinox 2014 Sport Util and the car broke down yesterday (10/25/2022) due to no oil in the engine.
No warning light came on telling me that the oil is low no signs that the car was running out of oil nothing until it died. I wish I knew about the problem so I can check the oil more often. Chevy dealer was replacing it every time and they also didn’t mention that these cars have engine oil issues. The last service for an oil change was on 8/16/22 and the car broke down on 10/25/2022 with the engine completely dry. Is there a Class Action for Chevy Equinox 2014? what should I do???
I have been doing every 3 months or 3,000 mile oil changes and just yesterday my wife was driving and the vehicle started making noises. Now I checked oil and she was low. Put in a quart, checked it still down, put in another one. Came up to top of dipstick. Still had miles left till oil change. Actually at 38% till oil change. Had it towed to my mechanics shop. I don’t really trust a dealership and he is one of the best I have dealt with. Something about Cams and timing chains. What can be done from this Class action Law suit? Please tell me.
I have A 2013 equinox uses excessive oil ! [email protected] We had lots of work done. I’ve had this since 2013
My vehicle is a 2015 timing chain broke no oil on dip stickHad warranty but refused first time
I own one of these pieces of trash right now–2010 Equinox. I need a vehicle, and I didn’t get one. After 18 days it just stopped working properly. All the oil was gone–all 4 quarts. No lights, no engine warning, just no oil. When I attempted to contact my local Dealer, I got no reply, no reply, blocked calls. I’d say Chevrolet should be ashamed, but they don’t understand that word–too busy pocketing money for garbage vehicles.
I am currently still in a lease. I also have a 2010 chevy equinox that is having problems. Trying to find help on getting money back for trying to fix the problem and how to get out of this lease.
I paying on a 2012 and same thing now I need a timing chain only had it a little over a yeat
I also own a 2013 chevy equinox and have had pil consumption and never tells me when it isiw I always have to carry pil , my engine just took a shit and had to rebuild parts due to the pil , how do I get into this class action lawsuit? My email is kymdevinkali@ Gmail.com thanks
I have a 2013 chevy equinox and it is going through oil faster than gas. I have to carry oil all the time. How do I get involved in this lawsuit?
I have a 2013 Chevy equinox ecotec engine and right now it is in the shop and all I can get is the run around from the dealer and they do not want to fix it and I told them at the dealer that I’m very aware of these cases that they have against gm for the issues but however they act like they do not but however it does and should be they manufacture issues period and it has the oil guzzling issue as which I will not stop until my equinox is fix because it is only fair that they be liable for the issues period and fix my vehicle thst is currently as of today in shop if you read this and can help direct me in what I should do and how to do this I will sign whatever I need to to get it fixed otherwise it is a great vehicle
I have a 2013 Chevy Equinox ,108,000 miles. The car has been burning oil monthly, now the catalytic converter is clogged (due to oil burning) at a cost $3000 to repair. I just spent $500 last month to have piston ring replaced. I bought the car new in 2013 – it has been a decent ride until 2018 – 78,000 miles.. Now it is nothing but problems, costly ones. I took it to Chevy during their ” piston fix of the 2013″ and was told that my car did not qualify for the piston replacement.
I have had to add oil every month. Now I need a new catalytic converter at a major cost for a car that is almost 10years old…. Can I get my name added to the lawsuit? This is ridiculous. I always loved GMC, but now I am not a fan….
I bought a used 2010 Chevrolet Equinox in 2015. I had to keep getting oil changes and the fumes coming in from the heater vent wear awful. I never got contacted about any lawsuits. I know longer have this vehicle because of the oil issues
Farley recently I purchased a 2011 Chevy Equinox Lt Sport utility 2.4l for my daughters first car, needless to say I wish I had researched it and been informed about the issues, I changed the oil in it and replaced the air filter and cabin air filter also and it hadn’t been that long since I changed the oil in it but when I checked the dipstick there wasnt even any oil on it, I knew there wasnt any oil leaks and I was like wtf, so obviously I added some more oil, then I started to research it and read that not only did they burn oil bad, but the way they made the plastic intake with that bullshit type of a pcv valve it was proned to get clogged and could eventually blow your rear main seal…. all I saw was dollar signs for expensive repairs in my head and and no real assurance from GM to rectify the issues. So far I have replaced both intake and exhaust actuators, there was a intermittent check engine light and the code was for the exhaust actuator but I replaced them both, also I read that stemming from a problem with the actuators your timing belt/chain could also malfunction causing an engine failure…this motor seams like it was destined to fail from the beginning….I’ve also replaced the back driver side speed sensor to correct the abs, traction control lights from staying on and not being functional, my question is would I be able to have GM fix all issues at no cost or is there any money left from the class action lawsuit to help with repairs when they occur or before they occur rather? I have tried to research if any thing has already been done but to no avail…