As previously reported by GM Authority in April 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed against The General over issues with the 2.4L Ecotec I4 gasoline engine. While this lawsuit is still active, a new ruling has several portions of the case dismissed.
According to a report from Car Complaints, General Motors filed to dismiss the lawsuit, which is related to an issue with the PCV system, and argued that the case cannot be a nationwide class action lawsuit because the plaintiffs only live in six U.S. states. That being said, Judge Mark A. Goldsmith did not provide a ruling on the nationwide argument, but did dismiss several claims.
There were five claims dismissed, including:
- Common law fraudulent concealment claims brought under the laws of Wisconsin, Michigan and Massachusetts.
- Claims brought under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
- Claims brought under the Minnesota Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- Claims brought under the Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Act, to the extent those claims are based on omissions.
- All implied warranty claims including Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act claims; and breach of contract claims based on contracts with dealerships not authorized by GM.
However, there were five other claims allowed to move forward, including:
- Claims brought under New York and Minnesota fraudulent concealment theories.
- Claims brought under New York General Business Law 349 and 350.
- Claims brought under the Wisconsin Deceptive Trade Practices Act, to the extent those claims are not based on omissions.
- Breach of contract claims based on contracts with GM dealerships.
- Unjust enrichment claims.
It’s worth noting that this future of this lawsuit will depend on how Judge Goldsmith rules the nationwide argument.
For those who may be unaware of this lawsuit, here’s a quick synopsis. Plaintiffs claim that affected vehicles do not have a traditional positive crankcase ventilation valve, but rather a fixed orifice vacuum port in the intake manifold. This small fixed orifice, located between the #2 and #3 intake runners, can get clogged with water, sludge and grime or, in cold weather conditions, ice and snow. If the PCV system becomes clogged, the crankcase pressure can cause the engine’s rear main seal to fail, which can lead to an oil leak, and potentially total engine failure.
This lawsuit covers a variety of General Motors products, including several Chevy, Buick and GMC vehicles spanning model years 2010 to 2017.
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Comments
I bought and engine oil cap that has a pressure relief valve built in for my 2017 terrain.
Keep telling yourself that nonsense. The 2.4L from GM is junk. No matter of apology spewing will change that.
No issues with mine, both running great.
Just replaced timing chain and rear oil seal on my 2014 terrain. Uses a quart of oil every 2 weeks.
You are replying to a bot.
I would think that with PCVs being common since the mid to late 1960s, the technology would be mature by now.
Questions:
1) What is the maintenance interval on the PCV, if any. and,
2) How many with failed engines maintain them either “by the book”, or at least something within reason?
That’s usually the problem, I do my own maintenance on my vehicles except for AC work, never bought those tools. I use synthetic oil and change it before 5k miles. If people kept up the maintenance they would be surprised how long their cars will last. Mine never go back to the dealer except for warranty/recall work.
There is no PCV valve – it is an orifice in the intake manifold that can clog with gunk or ice (if driven in cold weather). “Maintenance” consists of removal & replacement of the intake manifold. Possible for a somewhat skilled do-it-yourselfer” to do. Requires a special tool or two, and having the comfort level to properly reinstall a high pressure fuel pump. My sister had it done on her Equinox by the original dealer, under some kind of technical service bulletin. Despite that, on a week of cold midwest weather (subzero temps at night), it froze up and the pressure blew out the rear main seal. $1800 repair – would have been more, but the dealer was able to do some kind of adjustment due to it being a known issue on that model.
I spent $6800 to replace the engine. Plus had to refinance to include a loan for the replacement, that is adding another $2000 in interest. Had my small claims case today, and the judge would only consider if the vehicle was under warranty and if GM gave me an additional warranty. That was the only info he would consider. Ridiculous.
I just had this exact thing happen to my Equinox and it’s costing me $1,215 to have fixed. May be more that was just a quote.
Difference being that all others use PCV valve that can be easily replaced within minutes. These engines use a PCV system that is built into the engine. It’s inside the valve cover. Chevy service department said it would cost $500 to clean it out because they have to take the valve cover off.
Ventilated cap has mitigated the problem somewhat. First allow fir pressure to build up enough to blow out main seal. May be worth the cost.
CFM Performance Baffled Billet Valve Cover Breather compatible with 2010-2017 Chevrolet Equinox & GMC Terrain 2.4L Ecotec (Gunmetal Gray)
Unfortunately these suits are probably not going to end with GM being found to have breached their warranty.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed in Canada after a Chevy Equinox driver’s engine failed. The plaintiff contends that the design of the engine allowed it to leak oil into the rest of the vehicle resulting in total engine failure. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against GM claiming that the vehicle was negligently designed.
However, similar lawsuits against GM have failed in the courts. Plaintiffs who file these claims contend that their warranty covers such issues. But according to GM, the warranty does not cover design flaws. It only covers manufacturing and workmanship defects. Hence, lawsuits like this have been dismissed in the courts. This is something to bear in mind before you purchase your next GM vehicle.
Google lawsuits dismissed because of design defect and not material & workmanship.
Sucks but that the way it’s looking.
I have a 2015 Equinox and 2016Equinox. Both has engine failure cause by the timing chain. I replaced one engine. Now i am facing replace the second one.
I too am dealing with this bs problem atm with my equinox. Would love to join the lawsuit if possible
I had this problem on our 2016 Equinox, GM covered a remanufactured engine, but I was responsible for the $2800 in labor to put it in at the dealership. This problem just happened to me today in our 2017 Equinox, just had it towed to dealership, waiting for diagnosis. What a bunch of bs.. How do I join any lawsuit to try and recoup any $?
How did you get GM to cover the engine?
My dealership did the work. The service bulletin for this issue stated 10 years or 120k miles. Mine was just outside that window and the dealership went to bat with their GM rep. Had to provide all my service records that were done at the dealership. Still a big hit that I had to pay the labor to put it in.
Just got the news back on my 2017 30 minutes ago. Definitely same issue, however this time they saying it “jumped time”? Not sure what that means, but guessing timing chains are all screwed up. They are saying $8,000 to fix with no help this time due to the 160k miles on it. Absolutely insane. I’m done buying Chevys!
Thank you for the response! We have a 2016 equinox with about 100,000 miles so it sounds like we would be in the mileage window. The rocker arm shattered because of a timing issue. Would you recommend going to the dealer we bought from?
I would definitely go back to the dealership you bought it from. It’s likely they will have to show that your issues started with the pressure control valve malfunctioning which is what the service bulletin was issued for.
I’d like to know why they agreed to replace it too. I’m currently in a lawsuit against GM myself. Their rep told me the 11,000+ that were given extended coverage under a technical service bulletin issued in 2014, they were people who had complained up to that point. What about the rest of us? What if our car had not been built yet? You didn’t fix the issue or make any changes, so why arecwe not afforded the same courtesy?
My guess is the dealership is in good standing with GM due to volume of cars sold, but just speculation. Are you involved in a class action suit or doing something on your own? After getting the news today on my 2017 and is going to cost $8,000 to fix, I’m so pissed. Would like to think I could find a lawyer to file suit, but I really believe with 160,000 miles and GM clearly stating what their warranties are, there’s no chance of winning. Just don’t understand why it wasn’t an official recall to begin with.
What dealership/location did you go to? I’m in Minnesota. My dealership is a bunch of sissies. Wouldn’t do anything unless GM did. Likely to add the dealership as a defendant in my lawsuit.
I’m in Illinois, so an IL dealership. I personally know the family that owns the dealership (so not going to call them out by name), and buy all our cars there. This wouldn’t haven’t been a factor, they just simply did what dealerships should do for their loyal customers. I will be sitting down with them tomorrow to go over my 2017 options that’s sitting there right now. Maybe again, they can push a GM rep to do a little more. In the end it ultimately hurts this dealership if I stop buying Chevy’s from them.
We tried the same thing at the dealership in MO & we had no luck.
I’m on my own so far. Trying to find an attorney, but it’s not easy to find one who handles these cases.
I’m dealing with the same thing on my 2017 Equinox. My pcv valve was clogged and froze during the below freezing temps we were having causing my rear seal to blow & ruined my engine. CNA National Warranty is claiming Mother Nature caused it, GM states there are no recalls on my VIN & will not give any assistance with repairs or Customer Loyalty Plan (not that I even want another GM product) I have filed a claim with NHTSA to report it. I suggest everyone does. GM knows of the problems with the 2.4 Motors & refuses to do anything about it. I want to know how to get involved in the class action lawsuit. They have the consumer by the balls. We are the little fish in the sea.
Your engine is not a 2013
My GMC Terrain suffered a pcv oil leak on Jan 15, 2024 at a light in St. Peter’s mo and limped to my garage – was lucky to get home. Temps were -6 degrees. Oil sprayed all under carriage and all over my garage floor. Towed next morning to Suntrup Buick – this vehicle a 2017 – 2.4l engine only has 48,883 mi on it and I bought the extended warranty. GMC paid an estimate of 2/3 of invoice – I had to pay $1,015. Not happy – the design of the oil system caused this – perfectly maintained since purchased. Anybody know an attorney for the existing lawsuits? I feel I should not pay anything for this.
I am also from that area. My engine blew because of the PCV leak from the negative 0 temps also. I have a 2014 Chevy Equinox. I had to replace my engine last year for this issue, got covered by insurance then, this year it happened again January 14. Insurance will not cover it again. However, they knew it was a default in the engine they placed into my car. The engine was used and had more miles on it than what I originally had. I feel like I was set up disaster. Now I have to pay out of pocket to have it fixed.
Anyone in Minnesota? We may be able to start our own class action suit.
Calif 78k miles not 1 problem on my 2013 Chevy Malibu 2.4l eco tec engine tensioners fail timing chain then eats thru my engine and GM said sorry no warranty no engine replacement my comment is you have been making engines for over 100 years and you’re telling me now your engines only last for 78k miles the 2.4l engine eco tec w/plastic tensioners is a mfg defect
My engine blew over this issue as well. I am in Missouri, and this happened in January 2024. Customer service for GM would do nothing. I bought an extended warranty when I bought the car, but since the cause of failure was the PCV, the warranty will not cover it. They knew as well as GM that this could happen, so there was a bullet point on the back of the warranty addressing frozen pcv. I reached out to customer service for GM and executive resolutions for GM. First, they offered me 80,000 GM reward points worth about $800 and then a $2500 certificate off a new vehicle. I am down $11,000 for engine replacement and rental car fees associated with it. Why would I buy another GM product when they don’t stand behind the vehicles they sell. No recall, no customer notifications. Has anyone found a lawyer that will represent us for this issue? I have tried but no one I’ve called either returns the call or says they don’t handle this type of case.
m.y engine just went out temp about 10 above 0. don’t know what damage is yet. 92,000 miles