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 purchased a 2011 Chevy Equinox LTZ October of 2023, since I had the vehicle I’ve had to change the oil every 3,000 miles or so, my oil life will say I have 65% remaining and I hear a knocking noise check the oil and there’s none, No oil light ever comes on, when I’m driving 50 or over and slow down and go to accelerate again it’s like there’s no power. No codes show when I take it to have it checked.
My 2011 Chevy Equinox has a 2.4L Ecotec engine. I bought it used in 2018 at a Chevy dealership in Virginia. The problems are too numerous to list. How can I benefit from a class action lawsuit?
Mine to, I wish I would have knew all the problems they have to before I purchased mine.
I have a 2013 GMC Terrain 2.4L that uses oil like crazy! I’m going broke buying engin oil.
I have a 2016 Equinox and am having the same oil issues that led to engine issues and now the car won’t start at all. How do I become a part of the class action lawsuit?
I have a 2014 Teŕrain, 2.4, SLT that did not get included in any of the other class action suits. June 2024, my vehicle started running rough, the check engine light came on and went off the very next day. By day 3 my vehicle stopped running and was not able to start since then. I bought this vehicle brand new in 2014 and had only minor issues until now. Without any other warning it just stopped. I found out that my vehicle didn’t have any oil in it. I now need an engine.
Honestly, I had the same exact issues that was under a class action suit for 2010 to 2013 Terrains. How can my vehicle be covered and included in a similar class action. Who can I contact?
I was involved in the original class action settlement, I owned a 2013 equinox, I saw a check come on my informed delivery from the postal service but I never got it in my mailbox. How do I find out where that check is?
I have a 2013 Chevy equinox and it has the oil burning problem for sure. I have been replacing oil in between oil changes the whole time I have owned it.
Had this problem fixed 2 years ago 2 times. Then to have this problem all over again. The dealer ship is telling me it’s my fault. I have a 2013 Equinox. It’s the worse car I have ever bought. Never get any recall notices. I spent so much putting oil in my car then ever.
My 13 Equinox should be covered by this lawsuit. When/where can I make a claim?
I just spent 3k to get my 2013 through inspection not to mention fees for not being able to pass. That was February 2024. Now it’s June and I hope I will be able to make a claim when this lawsuit opens. I am fed up and not able to afford another vehicle.