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
have a 2014 with this issue engine blew…its not under this lawsuit is there any others going on to help the 2014s?
I have 2013 GMC 3 with this issue need attorney
I own a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox with said engine. Last winter, I lost all power to my vehicle. After it was towed, the mechanic told me that there was no oil in it and my engine was shot. This is despite my great record of oil changes with the same shop every 3000-5000 miles. The mechanic thought it might have been a PCV Valve issue, but the bottom line is that I spent $6,000 to replace the engine. On a school teacher’s salary, that is a big expense. I am wondering if the issue was actually the oil consumption issue and not the PCV valve. I still own the vehicle. For $6000, I will be driving it for at least another 5 years. I have documentation of all expenses.
I have a 2010 Chevy Equinox and having trouble with oil burning fast and I was told it’s my oil pistol spent so much money on this truckust had my exhausted system fix now heat and air system went out can’t afford to get the pistol rings fix pleading for help
I just dished out over $1200.00 ( CAD ) to replace timing chain, and related parts. The mechanic told me that it was due to excessive oil consumption and poor design.
Mine is a 2012 with 119000 Kms on it ( aprox 73944 miles )
I am very disappointed. Had I known about this defect I swear I would never had purchased this vehicle.
:(
I own a 2012 and 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. I didn’t receive any notice what so ever. This week my 2013 engine blew because mechanic said it was a piston problem. Now what!
I own a 2010 equinox having the same issues. Now my timing chain jumped a link or 2 and whatever else could be wrong with it. It only has 98000 miles on it I shouldn’t be having these problems and now I can’t drive it. Its been estimated about $3000 to fix it IF its fixable. So I want in on this lawsuit and they need to pay to have fix. Does anyone have any ideas or how this works?
my 2010 equinox is also doing the same.
im currently trying to get ahold of Analytics Consulting to file my claim.
1-888-970-0698.
I hope this helps.
I have already had this done under warranty and it is going on again. I am passed through 100,000 miles. So does this mean I am not able to get it fixed again?
How do I file? The engine In my 2010 equinox is basically gone because of this problem
try calling Analytics Consulting 1-888-970-0698
I have the same issue with my Terrain it’s a 2011 and the place I’m purchasing it from doesn’t want to fix it!