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
2013 Equinox. It failed the oil consumption test. Piston rings, timing chain etc (list of parts) were replaced. Now, my engine jumps. You can feel it. You can see the engine with the hood up when putting into drive, or even giving it gas. It Intermediately, shakes when turning the ignition. While idling and driving, the SUv vibrates. Yet, the Chevy service department states “nothing is wrong.” 3rd visit after a “broken” clamp and a “loose” engine mount & after I paid for a crank exhaust manifold.
One problem traded for another handful of problems!
I have a 2010 Equinox. I went back to the chevy dealer to which I purchased my vehicle when I first discovered the oil consumption. There are so many recalls on this vehicle, its impossible to keep up with. I showed Chevy the recalled parts, which was basically the entire engine and they told me that they would only replace what the felt like needed to be done and not what the recalls call for. Now years later, I’m still having the oil consumption issues and my car shut down in the middle of traffic 2 days ago. The code read fuel pressure regulator…so it slowly shut down. This was one of the recalls listed on GMC Website that they didnt want to replace. What actions do I need to take next?
I have a 2011 GMC Terrain that was purchased in 2012. Currently having piston issues which cause my breaks to wear unevenly as well as silinoid problems. I have also had to replace my Transmission recently(2019). Is it to late to file my claim?
I also have a 2013 Equinox that is excessively burning oil and also has seepage around the transmission. No oil on my dipstick only after 3200 miles. Needs fixed please.
We just found out about this the same way. Never got any notification about the problem.
I am just finding out about this as well. Same problem, no notification!
Hi, I just came back from my mechanic and he told me the same thing, that my 2012 Chevy Equinox has an excessive oil consumption, and he had seen this problem before and to contact my local Chevy Dealer and they want to charge me and I also called GM and they said they were going to have someone call me to see what they can do but as of today May 9, 2020 they said there was no recall or nothing for my car to get fixed. I have been doing oil changes very often, every 2000 miles or less. I need help with this too. Where can I get more information about this?
My truck shut down in the middle of traffic due to no oil.
my truck shut down in the middle of traffic due to no oil , now i need a new engine
I have a 2015 equinox with the same issue. Would be happy for any advice
We own a 2012 Equinox. I noticed some noise coming from the engine that sounded like a valve tap. There was a check engine light illuminated but not one for the low oil. The car had its oil changed in February 2020 and is not used for long-distance or frequent short distant drives. I checked the oil level with the dipstick and it was almost dry. I had to put 3 quarts of oil in the car. I had not been notified of any recall or class action lawsuit regarding this from GM. This problem is compounded by having an unreliable vehicle during the pandemic. Transportation requirements are limited but need to be reliable and financial consequences during this time are unacceptable.
Have a 2011 Equinox I have not been able to drive for over two years.
Purchased used in 2014 and within one month it was shutting off while driving. Was never notified of the lawsuit and had to research to find out about any warranty extension because I have received no notification about anything!!
I changed the oil routinely and kept all receipts also was made to sign release claim due to no oil present when going for an oil change. The dealership said the timing chain was replaced by previous owners and would not replace it for me. They said it was bad gas, then catalytic converters and even tried telling me they would not honor the warranty. Never once mentioned it was an oil consumption issue or that there was a lawsuit. The car continued to shake and turn off if not continuously filled between oil changes. It also smoked and filled the cab unless windows were down.
Took to a private mechanic for diagnosis and estimate…$6100.00!
I paid cash to purchase and own the car to find out it was a lemon. Please help! Single mother needing my vehicle back or reimbursement for a lemon!
This is the first I am learning if it as well. 2011 equinox, high oil consumption, low gas mileage, clicking heater ducts, and my favorite, replaced transmission at 87k miles! And no help from chevy. Stand behind your product. Any lawsuit or recall for the transmission issues? I put a jasper transmission in.
I bought a 2011 Equinox 2.4 in Aug 2019. It supposedly had the service / TSB / special coverage done by original and only owner. I recently found I am still burning oil excessively. Any recourse?