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
5/15/2020 I received a letter from GM instructing me of the class action lawsuit regarding my 2013 Equinox and an oil consumption problem due to excessive piston wear. I made an appointment that day and was told to bring my car in 5/22. They changed the oil and told me to drive 1,000 miles and come back 6/5 for a oil level check. Drove 1,020 miles with no loss of oil. This car consumed an extra 4 quarts of oil between the last two oil changes with no warning light ever coming on. I added oil because when I started the engine it rattled. I checked the level and was shocked no oil appeared on the dip stick. The extended warranty from GM expired today 6/7. Why was I not notified earlier so I would have enough time to comply with GM’s requirements? The dealer told me to drive another 1,000 miles and come back! I now have a blood clot in my left leg from sitting in this car driving all over town just to put miles on the odometer. Crazy
Hi Robert Even if your Warranty is expired you should be covered. There is a recall so as long you have the oil consumption Problem you are covered.
We had this exact same issue. I have taken the car in multiple times over the past 7 years stating it consumed too much oil and there was a knocking sound. We took our vehicle in and they told us the same thing, to bring back at 1000 miles which at that time the oil level was fine. We were not able to get back in to the dealership with everything going on and at 2200 miles since the last check our timing chain broke and we more than likely need a new engine. I will never purchase another Chevy again.
I have a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox that the oil low light did not come on. Because of this the timing chain broke and destroyed the motor. Could I possibly get money to replace the motor under this class action law suit. I never received any letter notifying me of the defects of my vehicle.
I have moved since I bought the car. Therefore probably got mailed to my old address. How do I find out if my car is covered under this.
I have a 2012 Chevy Equinox that is making noise and took it to someone to check what it was before going to dealer. He said it is the timing chain and if We continue to drive it the whole engine will go if the timing chain breaks. Took it to the dealer where we service it and we were given a Mr Goodwrench warranty that we were told was good for 100,000 miles if we used the synthetic oil and they did the oil change etc. we are at 99,225miles and now they say no one at the dealership knows about that. I sent them a copy of the paper and they are trying to find someone at GM that knows about it. Any suggestions as to who to contact. It has been at the dealer for almost 2 weeks with no results.
Has anyone received any response to our check for the settlement
No we have not. We sent in all the information they requested.
No we have not and sent it all in march 2020.. Do you all have a number we can dial? I cant find the letter I received
Nope. Me either. I’ve tried contacting people and just get pushed aside.
I have a 2010 Chevy Equinox. It was using oil, and then the engine wouldn’t start last week. Turns out the valves and pistons are all damaged. The estimate is $3950 to repair. Can I get reimbursed from this settlement?
Curious my 2010 Transmission just went out only 94000 miles…
I have a chevy equinox Ltz that burn up the oil as soon as I do my oil change I’ve had it in the shop more than 3 times and they cant get it fixed right they say it’s the pistons please send me info where I can go get it fixed at I read that yall have certain mechanics that will do it thank you
I have 2011 equinox. Filed out paperwork months ago. With no response!! So now stuck paying for a Vehicle that just sits in driveway. Changed manifold, Catalytic converter, O2 sensor , throttle box , etc
I had a 2011 GMC Terrain. Bought it used at 107k miles. In the time I owned it I had to change: engine, transmission, starter, abs brain, windshield wiper motors, brakes pads and rotors. There is more. It was a waterfall affect, when one thing went it all started to go. And to add insult to injury the transmission started going after 6k miles and the dealership wanted to charge me $1,000 to fix it when it was under warranty. I drove it to a ford dealership and turned it in for a suv that I love. Never ever will I own a GMC again. Still waiting to hear about compensation because I turned in the paperwork months ago now.
I have a 2011 Terrain, we were sent a letter . We have not not heard anything since. We tried the phone number on the paperwork we received and the phone number is disconnected. The terrain is horrible on oil consumption, and I don’t even know where it goes. It just makes me angry!