The General Motors V8 engine lawsuit refers to multiple legal cases involving alleged defects in GM’s gasoline V8 engines. These cases are not one single lawsuit, and the engines and model years involved are different.
One major case concerns alleged lifter and valve-train problems in certain GM 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8 engines. A newer and separate lawsuit involves the 6.2L L87 V8, which has been linked to allegations of bearing and crankshaft-related engine failures.
Because the lawsuits are still developing, it is important to distinguish allegations from findings by a court. GM has not been found liable in the active L87 class action, and no class has been certified in that case as of the latest available information.
What Is the GM V8 Engine Lawsuit About?
There are several different GM V8 engine lawsuits.
The two most relevant disputes are:
- GM lifter/valve-train lawsuit involving certain 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8 engines.
- GM 6.2L L87 engine lawsuit involving alleged bearing, crankshaft and related internal-engine failures.
The newer L87 case has received significant attention because GM issued a recall affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles, while federal regulators later investigated whether the recall remedy adequately addressed the engine-failure problem.
GM 6.2L L87 V8 Engine Lawsuit
The 6.2L L87 V8 lawsuit is currently one of the most important GM engine cases.
The consolidated litigation alleges that certain L87 engines have manufacturing defects that can cause serious internal engine damage and potentially complete engine failure.
A consolidated complaint was filed in federal court in Michigan after several lawsuits were brought against GM.
The plaintiffs allege that problems involving engine bearings, crankshafts and lubrication can cause catastrophic failures.
These are claims made by plaintiffs, not a final court determination that every L87 engine is defective.
Which Vehicles Are Involved?
The L87 litigation generally concerns certain GM vehicles equipped with the 6.2L V8.
Reported vehicles include:
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- GMC Sierra 1500
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Chevrolet Suburban
- GMC Yukon
- GMC Yukon XL
- Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
The specific model years and eligibility can vary depending on the particular lawsuit and legal claim. The consolidated litigation has focused on vehicles generally covering portions of the 2019–2024 model years.
What Is Allegedly Wrong With the L87 Engine?
The lawsuit alleges problems involving the engine’s internal components.
One major allegation concerns connecting rod and crankshaft components and insufficient lubrication between engine bearings and the crankshaft.
If an engine bearing fails, the damage can spread through the engine and potentially result in:
- Engine knocking
- Loss of engine power
- Severe internal damage
- Engine seizure
- Complete engine failure
- A need for engine replacement
The lawsuit claims these failures can happen while the vehicle is being driven.
Again, these are allegations in the litigation and should not be treated as proven defects in every affected vehicle.
Did GM Recall the 6.2L V8?
Yes.
GM issued a recall in April 2025 involving nearly 600,000 vehicles equipped with certain 6.2L V8 engines.
The recall was related to engine components that could cause engine failure.
The recall remedy included inspections and, where necessary, engine replacement or other repairs. GM also specified an oil change using a higher-viscosity oil as part of the remedy.
However, the recall did not end the legal dispute.
Why Did NHTSA Investigate GM Again?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) later expanded its investigation into GM’s 6.2L V8 engines.
The agency received reports of engine failures even after vehicles had received the recall remedy.
By October 2025, NHTSA had received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failures, according to reporting on the agency’s investigation.
In 2026, NHTSA continued examining whether the recall remedy was sufficient to address the underlying problem.
This regulatory investigation is separate from the private class action lawsuit.
GM 5.3L V8 Lifter Lawsuit
Another long-running GM V8 lawsuit involves alleged problems with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) systems.
The lawsuit, Harrison v. General Motors LLC, alleges that certain GM vehicles equipped with 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8 engines have defective valve-train components.
The plaintiffs claim the alleged defects can cause:
- Lifter failure
- Misfires
- Engine hesitation
- Loss of power
- Stalling
- Shuddering
- Stuttering
- Surging
The lawsuit also alleges that these problems can create a safety risk because loss of engine power may make it harder for a driver to control the vehicle.
Which Engines Are Allegedly Affected?
The lifter litigation has included certain GM V8 engines such as:
- 5.3L V8
- 6.0L V8
- 6.2L V8
Specific engine codes and model years vary.
The allegations have included the L84, L87 and L96 engines, among others.
What Is AFM and DFM?
Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) are GM technologies designed to improve fuel economy.
They allow the engine to deactivate some cylinders under certain driving conditions.
The lifter lawsuit alleges that components associated with these systems can fail prematurely.
A failed lifter can cause an engine to run poorly and, in serious cases, cause additional engine damage.
However, not every GM V8 with AFM or DFM will necessarily experience a failure.
Has the GM Lifter Lawsuit Become a Class Action?
The lifter lawsuit has sought class-action status, but class certification has not been granted according to the latest reporting.
The case has been pending for several years, with some plaintiffs voluntarily dismissing their claims and changes among the attorneys involved.
Therefore, vehicle owners should not assume that they automatically belong to a certified nationwide class.
Is the L87 Lawsuit the Same as the Lifter Lawsuit?
No.
This is an important distinction.
| Issue | Lifter lawsuit | L87 engine lawsuit |
| Main problem alleged | Lifter/valve-train failure | Bearing/crankshaft-related failure |
| Engines | Certain 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L V8s | 6.2L L87 V8 |
| Main symptoms | Misfire, loss of power, stalling | Knocking, internal damage, engine failure |
| Lawsuit status | Long-running proposed class action | Consolidated federal litigation |
| GM recall | Not the same recall | 2025 recall involved certain L87 engines |
| Class certified? | No, according to latest reporting | No, as of latest available information |
What Is the Current Status of the GM V8 Engine Lawsuit?
The L87 lawsuit remains active.
Several individual class actions were consolidated into a larger federal proceeding in the Eastern District of Michigan.
A lengthy consolidated complaint was filed in 2026. GM has moved to dismiss the case, and the plaintiffs continue to pursue their claims.
Most importantly, there is currently no final settlement or nationwide class-action payout for the active L87 case based on the latest available information.
There has also been no final finding that GM is liable for the alleged L87 defect.
Is There a GM V8 Engine Settlement?
There have been other GM engine settlements, but readers should not confuse them with the active L87 litigation.
For example, a separate lawsuit involving certain GM vehicles and alleged excessive oil consumption reached a $175 million settlement in 2025.
That case involved a different engine problem and different vehicles.
It is not the same as the current 6.2L L87 engine lawsuit.
Therefore, claims online about a “$175 million GM V8 settlement” should not automatically be interpreted as a settlement for the current L87 engine case.
Can GM V8 Owners File a Claim?
There is currently no general claim form that allows every GM V8 owner to automatically collect money from the active L87 lawsuit.
The litigation is still developing.
If your GM vehicle has experienced an engine failure, it is useful to keep:
- Repair invoices
- Diagnostic reports
- Maintenance records
- Tow bills
- Engine replacement invoices
- Warranty documents
- Recall repair paperwork
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Communications with GM or a dealership
These records may become important if a settlement, recall expansion or other legal remedy becomes available.
What Should Owners Do If Their GM V8 Engine Fails?
If your vehicle experiences symptoms such as severe knocking, loss of power or an engine warning light, have it inspected by a qualified repair facility.
If the vehicle is covered by a GM recall, check the recall status using the vehicle’s VIN and contact an authorized dealer.
Keep copies of all repair documents.
You should also avoid assuming that a lawsuit automatically guarantees reimbursement. Eligibility depends on the specific case, vehicle, engine, model year, location and other requirements.
GM V8 Engine Lawsuit Timeline
| Date | Event |
| 2021 | GM lifter/valve-train lawsuit filed |
| 2025 | Lawsuits concerning the 6.2L L87 engine filed |
| April 2025 | GM announced recall involving certain 6.2L V8 vehicles |
| October 2025 | NHTSA expanded its investigation |
| Late 2025 | L87 lawsuits consolidated |
| February 2026 | Large consolidated complaint filed |
| 2026 | GM moved to dismiss the L87 litigation |
| 2026 | L87 class action remains pending |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a GM V8 engine lawsuit?
Yes. GM faces multiple lawsuits involving alleged defects in its V8 engines, including separate litigation over lifter/valve-train problems and the 6.2L L87 engine.
What GM V8 engines are involved?
Different lawsuits involve different engines. The litigation includes certain 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8 engines, while the newer major engine-failure case focuses on the 6.2L L87.
Is the GM 6.2 V8 lawsuit real?
Yes. Multiple lawsuits concerning the 6.2L L87 engine have been consolidated in federal court.
Is there a GM 6.2L V8 settlement?
No final settlement has been announced for the active L87 class action based on the latest available information.
Did GM recall the 6.2L V8?
Yes. GM recalled nearly 600,000 vehicles in 2025 over certain engine-related defects.
Does the GM V8 lawsuit include the Silverado and Sierra?
Yes. Certain Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 models equipped with the relevant engines are involved in the litigation.
Does the lawsuit include the Tahoe and Yukon?
Certain model years of the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL are also included in the L87 litigation.
Is the GM V8 lawsuit a certified class action?
Not currently for the active L87 litigation. The court has not certified a class based on the latest available information.
Can I get money from the GM V8 lawsuit?
There is currently no general payment available from the active L87 lawsuit. A settlement or judgment would need to occur before a claims process could begin.
Bottom Line
GM faces multiple V8 engine lawsuits, including cases involving lifter failures and the newer 6.2L L87 engine failure litigation. The L87 case is still pending, and no class has been certified and no settlement has been announced for that lawsuit.
GM also recalled certain 6.2L V8 vehicles in 2025, while NHTSA continued investigating reported engine failures.