Settlement Reached in Class Action Over Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain Oil Consumption. Here Are the Details. [UPDATE]

A settlement has been reached to end proposed class action lawsuits filed over excessive engine oil consumption in certain Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.

The deal between consumers and General Motors, which was submitted for preliminary approval on April 26, is valued at between $40 million to $45 million and covers 2010-2013 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter Ecotec engines—referred to hereafter as “class vehicles.” General Motors denies any allegations of wrongdoing.

While we anxiously await the court’s approval of the deal, here’s what the proposed settlement will likely mean for Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain owners and lessees.

Who’s covered by the settlement?

First and most importantly:

What are the specifics of the proposed settlement?

Special Coverage Adjustments Program – GM Reimbursements

General Motors has agreed to establish a “Special Coverage Adjustments” (SCAs) program through which it will pay for all or part of the cost of specified covered repairs to the affected vehicles—even for Equinox and Terrain models that are past their GM-issued warranty dates. This concession excludes vehicles owned or leased by those who have been previously reimbursed by GM via a goodwill adjustment or third-party service contract provider.

Technically speaking, the settlement specifies that SCAs previously set up by General Motors for oil consumption issues outlined in service bulletins 14159, 15285 and 16118, which cover 2010, 2011 and 2012 models, will remain in effect though subject to their express terms, conditions, and time and mileage limits. These three SCAs include free diagnosis and piston assembly replacement for the affected vehicles by authorized General Motors dealers who have diagnosed the cars as currently consuming excessive oil (meaning they use more than one quart of oil per 2,000 miles.)

Below are the criteria for each of the three existing SCAs described above, as well as for a new one created by the settlement.

Concerns have been raised by some of our readers with regard to the time and mileage limits set by the above-described SCA programs. Considering the settlement has not yet been approved, rejected or otherwise modified from its initial submission, we are unfortunately unable to provide much clarity at this time. That being said, we believe all questions concerning the specifics of who’s covered by the tentative settlement will be cleared up once settlement notices are sent out.

We know you’re tired of hearing us say this, but for now, please sit tight.

Cash Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Expenses

On top of offering free diagnoses and repairs for class vehicles, General Motors has agreed to fully reimburse—in cash—class members who previously paid out of pocket to replace their Equinox or Terrain’s piston assembly and were not previously recouped by GM.

To be eligible for reimbursement from GM, class members had to have paid out of pocket for piston assembly repairs within the timeframes and mileage limits specified above. Reimbursable expenses include costs for repairs as well as reasonable rental car charges so long as documentation—such as receipts—is provided.

All claims for reimbursement are subject to verification by IHS Markit/R.L. Polk & Co., a leading auto industry data analytics firm. The settlement administrator chosen by the parties, though still subject to court approval, is Analytics Consulting LLC, a leading class and collective action settlement administration firm.

I own/lease one of these cars. How will I be contacted about the settlement?

General Motors will provide the settlement administrator with a list of the VINs (vehicle identification numbers) for each affected vehicle, the motion says. Once IHS Markit/R.L. Polk & Co. has compiled every VIN, it will put together a mailing list using state motor vehicle registration data and U.S. Postal Change of Address data (so don’t worry if you’ve moved since you bought or leased your car).

The document submitted to the court does not speculate on a date on which class notices will begin to be mailed out. Analytics Consulting will be responsible for printing and mailing out class notices, as well as distributing settlement benefits to class members who submit claims forms.

Is my vehicle information and personal data confidential?

Yes. From the settlement document:

All information in the Class List shall be protected as confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone, except to Class Counsel, except as required by applicable tax authorities, pursuant to the express written consent of an authorized representative of GM, or by order of the District Court. The Class List shall be used only for the purpose of administering this Settlement. This list shall include the first and last names and physical mailing addresses of Settlement Class Members.”

Is there a settlement website or phone number?

Not yet. But sometime before class notices are mailed out, Analytics Consulting will establish a toll-free number class members can call for information about the settlement and/or claims procedure, or to request a mailed copy of the class notice, according to the motion. Inquiries for attorneys who negotiated the settlement will also be handled by Analytics Consulting.

How do I submit a claim? [UPDATE]

I already got rid of my Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain. What are my options?

You may not be completely out of luck here.

If you’ve kept your receipts—a practice ClassAction.org strongly recommends—from back when you owned or leased an Equinox or Terrain, you may still be able to make a claim for out-of-pocket expenses.

When will the settlement be given final approval?

We’re not sure yet, but we’ll keep you posted. The proposed settlement will first need preliminary approval from the judge before moving to the final approval stage.

You didn’t answer my question here.

If you have a question about the settlement that you don’t see answered on this page, let us know in the comments down below. The motion for preliminary approval of the settlement can be read in full here.