Model years covered: 2018-2024
About Chevrolet Equinox Lemon Law Claims
Chevrolet Equinox Lemon Law Statistics
- Estimated Annual Claims: 1200
- Success Rate: 85%
- Average Settlement: $45,000
- Most Common Outcome: Buyback
Known Chevrolet Equinox Defects
- Excessive Oil Consumption (high severity, 2018-2024): The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is prone to burning oil at an abnormal rate, sometimes requiring a quart every 1,000 miles. This can lead to severe engine damage, misfires, and stalling if not constantly monitored. NHTSA Complaints: 450. Symptoms: Low oil pressure warning, Engine misfires, Stalling, Premature catalytic converter failure.
- Fuel Pump Failure (high severity, 2020-2024): Defective AC Delco fuel pumps or fuel pump power control modules can interrupt fuel flow to the engine. This causes the vehicle to hesitate, sputter, or completely stall while driving, posing a significant safety risk. NHTSA Complaints: 320. Symptoms: Engine stalling, Loss of power, Check engine light (P0087, P069E), Audible ticking from rear.
- Transmission Shudder and Failure (high severity, 2018-2024): The automatic transmissions in these models frequently experience hard shifting, delayed engagement, and shuddering. In severe cases, this progresses to complete transmission failure requiring replacement. NHTSA Complaints: 380. Symptoms: Harsh shifting, Delayed gear engagement, Transmission slipping, Vehicle shuddering.
- Electrical and Infotainment System Malfunctions (medium severity, 2018-2024): Owners report persistent electrical gremlins affecting the infotainment system, power windows, and charging ports. These issues often require multiple diagnostic attempts and software updates to resolve. NHTSA Complaints: 210. Symptoms: Infotainment screen freezing, Blank displays, Malfunctioning power windows, Warning lights illuminating randomly.
Chevrolet Equinox Recall History
Total recalls: 30
Additionally, GM has issued recalls for the 2024 Equinox related to excessive powder coating on certain components. Other safety campaigns have addressed issues such as insufficient coating on rear brake caliper pistons in 2018 models, which could cause gas pockets to form and reduce braking performance. Owners are strongly advised to check their VIN against the NHTSA database to ensure all recall repairs have been performed.
View all Chevrolet recalls and NHTSA safety alerts
Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for Chevrolet Equinox
Other significant TSBs address the widespread transmission shudder and hard shifting problems, providing dealerships with updated diagnostic and repair procedures. There are also bulletins related to the excessive oil consumption issue in the 1.5L engines, guiding technicians on how to measure oil loss and when to replace internal engine components. These TSBs are crucial evidence in lemon law claims, as they prove the manufacturer's awareness of the defects.
Class Actions & Litigation: Chevrolet Equinox
Additionally, GM has faced class action lawsuits over excessive oil consumption in the Equinox. A proposed settlement valued between $40 million and $45 million was reached to cover related class actions concerning oil-guzzling SUVs, providing compensation for repairs and lost vehicle value. Another settlement, Jefferson & Riley v. General Motors, offered qualifying class members a $500 cash payment and up to $375 in reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair expenses. Despite these class actions, many owners opt to pursue individual lemon law claims, which can result in much higher compensation, such as full vehicle buybacks averaging around $50,000.
State Lemon Law Notes for Chevrolet Equinox
- California: California has one of the strongest lemon laws in the country. If an Equinox has a substantial defect that cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts (often 2 or more for safety issues), the owner is entitled to a buyback or replacement, and GM must pay the consumer's attorney fees.
- Florida: In Florida, the lemon law applies to new and leased vehicles within the first 24 months of ownership. Consumers must notify the manufacturer and give them a final repair attempt before pursuing a claim for a refund or replacement.
- Ohio: Ohio's lemon law covers vehicles for the first year or 18,000 miles. A vehicle may qualify if it has been subject to 3 or more repair attempts for the same defect, 1 attempt for a deadly defect, or if it has been out of service for 30 cumulative days.
- Texas: The Texas Lemon Law provides relief if a vehicle has a serious defect that the dealer cannot fix after four attempts (or two for a serious safety hazard) within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chevrolet Equinox Lemon Law
Does my Chevy Equinox qualify for the lemon law if it burns too much oil?
Yes, excessive oil consumption is a common defect in the Equinox that can qualify for lemon law protection. If you have to add oil frequently (e.g., a quart every 1,000 miles) and the dealership has failed to fix the issue after multiple attempts, your vehicle may be considered a lemon.
What should I do if my Equinox engine stalls while driving?
How many repair attempts are needed to file a lemon law claim for my Equinox?
The exact number varies by state, but generally, if your Equinox has been in the shop 3 to 4 times for the same substantial defect (like transmission shudder or fuel pump failure), or if it has been out of service for 30 cumulative days, it may qualify as a lemon.
Can I still file a lemon law claim if my Equinox is part of a class action lawsuit?
Yes, you can often opt out of a class action lawsuit to pursue an individual lemon law claim. Individual claims frequently result in higher compensation, such as a full vehicle repurchase, compared to the smaller settlements typically awarded in class actions.
Will I have to pay out of pocket for a lemon law attorney?
No. Under state and federal lemon laws, if your claim is successful, the manufacturer (General Motors) is required to pay your attorney's fees and legal costs. You should not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses to pursue a valid claim.
References & Sources
- GM Class Action Lawsuit Says 2020-2024 Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain SUVs Sold with Fuel Pump Defect — ClassAction.org
- Chevy Equinox Class Action: How to Join the Lawsuit and Maximize Your Compensation — 247 Lemon Law
- — The Lemon Firm
- — Kahn & Associates, L.L.C.
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