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.
Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.
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 2010 Chevrolet Equinox that I purchase in approximately 2018. I am experiencing the same issue as everyone else with consumption of oil. Because it was not categorized as a “Recall,” Chevy was not required to contact me, but instead they classified it as a “Technical Service Bulletin.” I had to search and found out about it myself (after the grace period had expired). I contacted Chevy and they said they could only offer me a $1,000 discount on the purchase of a new car. I need assistance on this please.
I have 2012 Chevrolet Equinox I had to get my timing replaced burning huge almost of oil please help
I also have a equinox 2011 that set drinks oil often I’m told long as I keep oil in it it should run fine i tried calling GM to see if there was something they could do because I heard that the part that needs replaced was recalled shortly before I purchased the vehicle GM said I missed the time slot
I bought a 2012 equinox LT as is on July 6, 2021 from Smedley’s Chevrolet in vandalia Ohio for $8,600. I was told the vehicle was in great condition but I spent well over $3000 on numerous repairs including the windshield wiper motor which Smedley’s lied about when I questioned why the right blade looked off track. The car did consume oil pretty good as well as shake at idle speeds or at stoplights and I did everything I could do from replacing injectors, cleaning injectors but the car would not stop shuddering until I put the car in neutral at stop lights. Currently the car will crank but won’t start. I have no idea what to do and I called GM about whether I’m eligible for recall help or other resources but all GM said was I have to take the car to a Chevy dealer to get diagnostic and pay even up to $400 to get car checked out because a independent mechanic did work on replacing my injectors. I believe this is bologna and Someone is allowing GM to evade responsibility to fixing a car issue GM created. Me and my wife don’t have money like $400 to throw to Chevy dealers to get a diagnostic. I believe GM should fit the entire bill which shows GM is taking full responsibility of a car not working properly. I would like to know if my car can receive the proper help from GM to help get the car operable again. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated from trustworthy source. I notice also every source on social media is not reliable.
2013 drinks oil never seen it leak until yesterday and is now in shop. Seems like a faulty something. Sure hope I don’t need a new engine. But all the oils inbetween changes is ridiculous .
My Chevy Equinox year 2011 is the make I purchased it in 2016 and hasn’t been driven since so what do I do oil consumption is the issue vehicle doesn’t run @ all
I joined the Class Action Suit because I own a 2011 Chevy Equinox. I contacted the lawyers and provided all the information (issues, VIN, costs, estimations, etc.) that was requested over the phone, this was while they were still waiting for a judge ruling. I would call ever so often to get an update, the lawyer (office rep) advised that I would get a letter in the mail once a ruling was given. I saw on the internet that a settlement was approve, so I call the phone number. The person found my information and confirmed that I was part of the suit, however, I was told that all the money was gone and that they would even be disconnecting the line in a week or two. I did not receive a letter for settlement and how could you be out of money if my name was on the suit/list. We have already replaced the engine once and it needs to be replace again. Additionally, the time chain in the first and second engine has been a joke. Now I’m being offered about $700 for the car just to be done with it (will cost $4500-$5000 parts/labor to repair properly). Please HELP!!
I have a 2011 Equinox. Even when new, each time I took it in to service, the dealership was performing work as “recommended” due to alerts. Pistons, timing belts, etc etc. Never received a recall and oil consumption tests were done and some repairs done. On top of these, the top head gasket has been repaired twice. Now they say I have a cracked cylinder head. Seems a little odd that somehow these are not all connected. I’ve taken this vehicle in for service and maintenance since it was new. Now they say I need a new engine. I have all the records of what has been done over the years. Curious as to what options I have.
I have a 2012 that I bought like 5 years ago. As soon as I found out about this, I went to a local dealership and they said it didn’t qualify. What are the qualifications? I don’t think it even had 100,000 miles when I took it in. Now it has 115,000. I have had to add 3 or 4 quarts of oil in between oil changes since I’ve had this car. Please help me get this resolved
I have a 2019 Equinox with 61,560 miles and have to add oil at 2500 miles after an oil change and the computer says I have 65% oil life left. This is ridiculous. What is my recourse?
Since you’ve posted on here a month ago. Have u gotten any type of update yet?
Yes sir man my name is Michael T Jenkins I’m based out of Fayetteville North Carolina today’s date is December 11th 2022 I’m inquiring about am I still eligible to participate in class action lawsuit because my engine failed miserably and the mechanic said it had I quote catastrophic damage to the engine Beyond repair so I would like nothing to get information on Hooter seek out in North Carolina to get me on board with this class action lawsuit thank you have a good day
Since you’ve posted on here a month ago. Have u gotten any type o