In August of 2021, a class-action lawsuit was filed against General Motors (GM). The allegations discuss problems with the engine valve-lifter in the Buick, Corvette, Chevrolet as well as the GMC vehicles equipped with Small Block V8 engines.

Furthermore,  it is alleged that the active fuel management lifters, dynamic management lifters, and valve train systems in these vehicles malfunction, causing the lifters to prematurely fail.

This is not the first time we have discussed GM’s engine valve lifter problems. Check out our other posts around lemon law and  GM engine valve-lifter concerns.

Fast Facts On GM’s Engine Valve Lifter Class Action Lawsuit:

  1. Plaintiffs claim GM knowingly sold vehicles with fuel management lifters with faulty valves that posed a dangerous risk to drivers.
  2. GM allegedly replaced defective parts with equally defective ones, resulting in lifter failure.
  3. Per the plaintiffs, the defective valve-lifter problems can lead to stalling, and a loss of engine power while driving, resulting in a dangerous condition for the driver.
  4. The class-action lawsuit, filed in Michigan, alleges “GM made and sold these vehicles without disclosing that their Active Fuel Management lifters (AFM Lifters) were defective in design”, and “if the [defective engine valve-lifter] is unremedied for too long, the entire engine can be damaged, necessitating an expensive full engine replacement.”

Vehicles Affected

The GM engine valve-lifter class action lawsuit seeks damages for anyone who purchased or leased any 2014 to 2021 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicle equipped with a 5.3L, 6.0L or 6.2L V8 engine, and include the following cars:

  • 2014-2021 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V
  • 2014-2021 Chevrolet Silverado
  • 2014-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • 2014-2019 Corvette
  • 2014-2016 Chevrolet Avalanche
  • 2014-2021Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2014-2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2016-2021 Chevrolet Camaro
  • 2014-2021 Camaro SS
  • 2014-2021 GMC Sierra
  • 2014-2021 GMC Sierra 1500
  • 2014-2021 GMC Yukon
  • 2014-2021 GMC Yukon XL

GM’s Response

Although GM has not issued a recall for lifters, it has implemented a plan to address the defective valve-lifters by issuing a Power Component Coverage Letter.

Under the Power Component Coverage letter, car owners who have had their vehicles repaired at least once for valve train or valve-lifter issues will be eligible for extended warranties.

Unfortunately, GM’s attempt to repair the engine valve-lifter defect has not corrected the defect leaving many GM owners without any relief.

As reported in  GM Authority

“if a GM customer has experienced prior valve lifter failures, dealers can replace one bank of lifters, or the engine,  and offer the customer a 60-month, 100,000-mile Powertrain Component Coverage Letter, replace the entire engine, or reach out to the District Manager of Aftersales for further guidance.”

GM has also issued a Service Bulletin regarding the defective valve-lifters in order to inform its authorized dealers on how to repair the problem.

According to the service bulletin, vehicles equipped with certain GM V8 engines may produce a service engine light, a misfire, and strange engine sounds. Furthermore, the service department is instructed to check for a broken valve spring and, if necessary, conduct a cylinder leakage test on the cylinder with the broken spring. If no leakage is observed, it is necessary to replace all valve springs on both banks if the vehicle is manufactured between June 1, 2020 and September 15, 2020.

So, What is a Lifter?

If you’re wondering what a lifter is and why it’s important no worries! We’ll explain. The lifter consists of a cylinder that sits between a car’s camshaft and the cylinder valves. The lifter opens the internal valves in the engine.  There is a separate lifter for each valve in the engine. In vehicles equipped with active fuel management (AFM) or dynamic fuel management (DFM), the lifters will deactivate when they are not in use and not open the valve, resulting in greater fuel efficiency.

Signs of an Engine Lifter Defect

GM engines, L84 5.3 V-8, and the L87 6.2 liter EcoTec3 V-8, with build dates between September 2020 and March 2021 use AFM and DFM, seem to have the most problems with defective lifters.  Oftentimes the lifter will get stuck or locked into place. The problem is when a lifter gets stuck or fixed in the wrong position it bends the pushrod. If the pushrod is bent, this can result in engine failure.

Here are 5 quick signs a lifter is failing or defective:

  1. Tapping or ticking sound in the engine
  2. Knocking or banging noises in the engine
  3. Misfires, shuddering or low of power
  4. Complete engine shutdown or failure
  5. Check Engine Light

More GM Engine Problems and Class Action Lawsuits

The Engine valve-lifter lawsuit is not the first time GM has been sued.  Below is a list of Class Action Lawsuits against GM:

GM 8 Speed Transmission Class Action Lawsuit

We have been keeping tabs on GM’s lawsuit troubles on our lemon law blog. Read on to learn about a class-action lawsuit filed against GM for defective 8 speed transmission .

The defective GM 8 speed transmission problems cause GM cars and trucks to hesitate to the point it feels as if they have been hit by another vehicle.

GM Corvette Engine Class Action Lawsuit

GM owners filed a class-action lawsuit alleging engine problems in Corvettes. Specifically,  all Corvettes had faulty valve guides that wear excessively, causing engine failure and costly repairs. In the claim, owners state GM was aware of the problem but had failed to remedy the situation.

Chevy Bolt Battery Class Action Lawsuit

We previously wrote about the battery problem with the Chevy Bolt Recall and the danger of fire due to defective batteries.

The Bolt is recalled is simply that there is a fire risk, due to the battery. Specifically, there is a folded separator and torn anode tab within the Chevy Bolt’s battery modules. The faulty functioning makes a fire occurring more likely.

Chevy Shake Class Action Lawsuit

Many consumers report feeling unsafe due to the violent shake and shudder caused by a defect coined the “Chevy Shake”. The “Chevy Shake” is not a stranger to our lemon law blog. In fact, the pseudonym is so popular, it caught the attention of the media.

On a local news report in Charlotte, North Carolina, the news crew recorded, in detail, the transmission complaint that has become so widespread. View the full video.

Stuck With a GM Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC lemon? Learn How You Can Get a Refund.

If you are like many GM owners who consistently experience the engine issues mentioned in your Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC car or truck, you may be entitled to compensation under the PA LEMON LAW, NJ LEMON LAW , NY Lemon Law, Hawaii Lemon Law, or the Magnuson Moss Warranty Improvement Act.

Compensation may include a complete repurchase of your defective vehicle, a replacement, or substantial cash reimbursement for damage the vehicle has already suffered due to the defect.

If your GM car or truck has a shudder or transmission defect call us at 1-800-MY-LEMON (1-800-695-3666) or complete free lemon law case evaluation for free help by the PA and NJ LEMON LAW ATTORNEY.