Steven Cohen  |  November 20, 2019

Category: Auto News

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

  1. Kelly Anderson says:

    I have a 2010 Equinox. I was swindled by Drivetime into buying the vehicle then I have had issues ever since and now having issues with oil consumption.

  2. Diane R Gancasz says:

    We bought a 2010 GMC Tertain in 2011 from a GMC Dealer. Many many repairs later we got rid of it in 2018…… 8 years old and got 1,500. Trade in. It was a $32,000 car in 2011. We received the paper for tje clasd action….. but my husband tossed all the repsir bills.
    Needless to say I am unhappy and will never buy anotjer GMC
    product!! Nothing I can do.

  3. Esau Patterson says:

    I own a 2013 Chevy equinox it’s been broken for 1 1/2 years been repaired for this very issue. I haven’t been contacted by anyone. I would like to get the vehicle repaired and even the money back for the last repairs.

  4. Toby Cordell says:

    I recently bought a used 2013 Chevrolet Equinox LS (with 102,000 miles / 4-cylinder engine) from a Chevrolet dealership, but I asked directly about this concern, prior to the purchase. I was told by the salesman and shop manager that the issues with the piston/rings had been corrected previously by Chevrolet. It now appears I was not told the truth as I am having to add oil on a regular basis. Do I have any protection under this class action, or any other means?

    1. Christopher R Hartnett says:

      I own a 2011 chevy equinox. I had repairs do to the suit.
      How do I speak to for further information
      Thank you for your time

  5. Michael feifer says:

    When will they be mailing out the checks? I received something from a lawyer months ago but nothing since.

  6. Matt Laird says:

    How do I go about getting my 2013 GMC Terrain checked out for this issue for oil consumption?

  7. Kimberly S says:

    I have a 2013 Equinox, with 89k miles on it. Have always taken very good care of it and had regular oil changes.
    A couple of days ago it started making a rattling noise and I noticed oil on my driveway so I took it into the shop right away for a checkup. It Needs a completely new engine!!! Estimated cost is around $8000.
    They said it was nothing I’ve done and that this is the 4th Equinox they’ve seen with this issue in 2 weeks. I can’t afford this but I have no choice but to get a new engine. This isn’t fair.

  8. Donna Ammeter says:

    Have a 2010 Equinox that uses a lot of oil. Is it too late to join the class action lawsuit?

  9. Christina Davis says:

    I bought my 2012 Chevy Equinox in 2017. I am always having to put oil in my car. My husband literally put 2 quarts in a week before I went to get my oil change. The dealership made me sign a piece of paper saying I had no oil in my car after a week we put oil in it. My oil light doesnt come on, it started making a rattling noise and checked the oil. Again nothing. Now I am scared to drive my car.

  10. Christina Brown says:

    I own a 2013 Chevy Equinox and my pistons sound bad and I’m always having to put oil in my car. How do I get my car fixed as well. Also i don’t know about anyone else but my radio sometimes cuts off all by itself and then back on again!! What’s that all about as well??? Someone please help!!

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