GM Lifter Failure Lawsuit: General Motors (GM) has recently been under fire due to a lifter failure issue affecting thousands of vehicles. This article will provide an in-depth look at the situation, including the background of the issue, details of the lawsuit, and its impact on GM and the automotive industry as a whole. Let’s dive in and explore this critical case.
Background
GM is one of the world’s largest automakers, known for producing high-quality vehicles that many people rely on daily. However, even the most reputable companies can face challenges, and GM is no exception. The company found itself amid a significant lawsuit involving lifter failure in some of its vehicles, impacting its reputation and finances.
The GM Lifter Failure
Causes of Lifter Failure
Lifter failure occurs when a component within the engine called the “lifter” fails to function correctly. Manufacturing defects, poor maintenance, or a combination of both often cause this. When this failure occurs, it can significantly damage the engine and other vital parts.
Symptoms of Lifter Failure
Some common symptoms of lifter failure include:
- Unusual engine noise, such as ticking or tapping
- Decreased engine performance
- Increased fuel consumption
- Check engine light illumination
- Engine stalling or failure to start
Affected Vehicles
List of Affected Models
The GM lifter failure lawsuit primarily concerns the following vehicle models:
- 2014-2019 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2014-2019 GMC Sierra
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon
- 2015-2019 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2015-2019 GMC Yukon XL
- 2016-2019 Chevrolet Camaro
The Lawsuit
The Plaintiffs
The plaintiffs, in this case, are a group of vehicle owners who have experienced lifter failure in their GM vehicles, causing them significant financial and emotional distress.
The Defendants
The defendants, in this case, are General Motors LLC and other affiliated companies.
The Claims
The plaintiffs claim that GM knowingly sold vehicles with defective lifters and failed to inform customers of the issue. They also argue that the automaker did not adequately address the problem, leading to costly repairs and diminished vehicle value.
Consequences of the Lawsuit
Financial Impact on GM
The financial impact of the lawsuit on GM could be significant, as the company may be required to compensate affected vehicle owners, recall and repair vehicles, and pay for legal fees and other costs associated with the case.
Reputational Damage
GM’s reputation has taken a hit due to the lifter failure lawsuit. Consumers may be more hesitant to purchase GM vehicles in the future, fearing similar issues could arise. This loss of trust could lead to decreased sales and a long-term impact on the company’s brand image.
Impact on Vehicle Owners
Vehicle owners affected by the GM lifter failure face expensive repair bills, decreased vehicle value, and potential safety concerns. If successful, the lawsuit may compensate for their financial losses and serve as a warning to other automakers to prioritize quality control and transparency with customers.
Preventive Measures
Maintenance Tips
To minimize the risk of lifter failure or other engine issues, vehicle owners should:
- Regularly check and change engine oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Use high-quality oil and filters.
- Keep the engine clean and free of debris.
- Monitor engine performance and address any unusual noises or issues promptly.
Seeking Expert Advice
Vehicle owners should consult a professional mechanic for a thorough assessment and appropriate repairs in the event of a suspected lifter failure. Addressing the issue early on can prevent further damage and potential safety hazards.
Similar Lawsuits
Other Automotive Manufacturers
The GM lifter failure lawsuit is not an isolated case. Other automakers have faced similar lawsuits, including Toyota, Honda, and Ford. These cases highlight the importance of quality control, proper manufacturing processes, and consumer transparency to avoid costly legal disputes and damage to brand reputation.
What this Means for the Industry
Lessons Learned
The GM lifter failure lawsuit is a cautionary tale for the automotive industry. Manufacturers must prioritize quality control and be transparent with customers about potential issues to maintain trust and avoid legal disputes.
Future Implications
This lawsuit could lead to increased scrutiny of automakers and their manufacturing processes, resulting in higher standards and improved vehicle quality overall. Additionally, it may encourage consumers to be more vigilant in monitoring their vehicles’ performance and advocating for their rights in the event of manufacturing defects.
Conclusion
The GM lifter failure lawsuit has highlighted the importance of quality control, transparency, and customer advocacy within the automotive industry. As the case unfolds, its impact on GM, vehicle owners, and the industry will become more apparent. In the meantime, it serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in manufacturing processes and the value of prioritizing customer safety and satisfaction.
FAQs
What is the cause of the GM lifter failure?
Manufacturing defects, poor maintenance, or a combination can cause lifter failure. In the case of the GM lawsuit, plaintiffs claim that the company knowingly sold vehicles with defective lifters.
How do I know if my vehicle is affected by the lifter failure?
Common symptoms of lifter failure include unusual engine noises, decreased engine performance, increased fuel consumption, check engine light illumination, and engine stalling or failure to start. If you own one of the affected GM models and experience these symptoms, consult a professional mechanic for further assessment.
What can I do to prevent lifter failure in my vehicle?
Regular maintenance, such as changing engine oil and filters, keeping the engine clean, and monitoring engine performance, can help prevent lifter failure and other engine issues.
What other automakers have faced similar lawsuits?
Toyota, Honda, and Ford have all faced lawsuits related to manufacturing defects and engine issues.
What does the GM lifter failure lawsuit mean for the automotive industry?
The lawsuit may lead to increased scrutiny of automakers’ manufacturing processes and quality control, ultimately higher.
GM Lifter Failure Lawsuit
A new lawsuit filed against GM for a defective valve train has resulted in a class-action lawsuit against the automaker. According to the lawsuit, GM replaced defective parts with the same or more defective parts, which in turn caused the infamous “lifter failure.” As a result, drivers are now experiencing stalling and power loss while driving, which increases the risk of traffic collisions. This is especially dangerous when drivers are in motion and may not notice the problems at first.
Class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
The lawsuit aims to hold GM accountable for replacing defective lifters with equally deficient ones, resulting in stalling, power loss, and hesitation while merging. These problems can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles and could lead to traffic accidents. This lawsuit is being filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Listed in the case is a list of the plaintiffs’ claims and the lawsuit is titled Francis, et al. v. General Motors, LLC. The case also lists other class action lawsuits filed by people affected by faulty lifters. In addition to filing a lawsuit, the plaintiffs also filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturer. They have filed this suit on behalf of other victims. The case details the defective fuel pumps used in GMC diesel trucks from 2011-2016.
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit allege that the manufacturer failed to take into consideration the engine block and riser expansion rates and failed to design their lifters properly. As a result, holes in the risers do not allow the lifters to clear properly. They also claim that GM has recommended more maintenance of the valve train. In addition to this, GM offers extended warranties on lifters, which are known as Component Coverage.
Alleges defective valve train system
A lawsuit filed against General Motors alleges that the company failed to meet design specifications for their fuel management lifters and dynamic file management lifters. These components are critical to the functioning of a vehicle’s valve train system, and failure of these components can result in an engine that ticks, stalls, or experiences other issues. According to the lawsuit, GM failed to design its lifter systems to properly accommodate this pressure.
The faulty valve lifters are the target of a class-action lawsuit filed by nine plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The fuel management system includes a valve lifter guide and the lifters themselves. The defective lifters cause the car to lose power and stall, increasing the risk of a crash. While these lifters are designed to be replaced at regular intervals, the lawsuit contends that they can cause severe damage to the engine.
Claims that GM has not issued a recall
While GM has not issued a national recall for GM Lifter problems, many owners have been dealing with faulty lifters for years. Many of these owners have far more miles on their cars than plaintiffs in the 2021 suit. Many people have complained of “Chevy Shake,” a common problem with affected vehicles. The “shaking” can lead to uncomfortable driving conditions, poor steering, and even loss of control.
Owners of GM vehicles are filing lawsuits in federal court alleging that GM has been negligent in not issuing a recall for the faulty fuel management lifter. The company was aware of the problem since 2001 and dodged issuing a recall in 2005. Instead, it issued a service bulletin for dealers and withheld critical information from federal authorities. This led to a 13-year delay in the recall. In 2014, GM agreed to settle a case of tens of thousands of vehicles. It has paid more than $900 million in fines and penalties related to this problem.
Cadillac models affected
A new lawsuit filed against General Motors alleges that lifters on GM vehicles failed. The problem affects certain models equipped with 5.3L, 6.0L, or 6.2L V8 engines. The company has agreed to cover repairs through extended warranties, known as Component Coverage. The problems stem from the valve train and lifter failure. Cadillac issued a service update addressing these problems, but it still failed.
The Valve Train Defect has also caused problems with Cadillac vehicles. Owners of affected models have filed lawsuits alleging that GM intentionally concealed the problem and passed the repair cost on to consumers. This is contrary to GM’s pledge to repair affected vehicles free of charge. Moreover, the faulty lifter has caused more frequent oil and filter changes, which are costly. Plaintiffs are seeking class action lawsuit certification, and they’re seeking damages, costs, and interest. The Miller Law Firm is representing plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit.
3 Comments
I bought a new gmc truck in 2010 and have had lifter’s knocking since 2011 I purchased a extended warranty at time of purchase and dealership refused to repair it was told it wasn’t covered by warranty, I’m afraid to drive it out of town because it may not get me back home. It just now turned to 80,000 miles, it had about 18,000 miles on it when problem started. It has the 6.2 engine truck was bought in Texas but since retiring now live in Arkansas would sure like some help with this matter
My 2021 Silverado with a 6.2 is in the shop now getting the lifters replace on one side of the engine and not the other. This is crazy! How can GM get away with a known problem and not fix it?
2015 Cadillac Escalade, original owner, gently driven-lifter went out causing extensive damage to the extent of being told I had to replace the entire manifold. Then I was informed my extended warranty just expired so NOTHING was covered. I was NEVER informed of the pending expiration, so that could extend it, which I would have.
SO, $4700.00 & weeks to even get the parts…this car has been to the dealership so many times for so many different problems, even the service department refers to it as cursed.
This vehicle has been exclusively serviced by the dealership. On one incident they replaced brakes & associated issues-took 3 1/2 weeks. 2 days after I got my car back, the brakes went out completely because they were not done properly at the dealership. That could have caused fatalities. Thank God it was Sunday & I was able to glide into an empty parking lot. They admitted liablilty & fixed it.
I’m a 65-year-old, single woman, living alone in rural Alaska-their solution is that they can see what kind of trade in they could get for me, on my undrivable car, that is undrivable because of a known problem & I could buy a new car from them!
Are you kidding me? This $100,000 lemon has cost me well over $150,000.
Not a damn thing I can do about it.