GM Faces Lawsuit Surge Over V8s That Could Die Without Warning
Complaints include accidents, fires, and tens of thousands of broken vehicles
https://www.carscoops.com/author/stephen-rivers/
by Stephen Rivers
Lawsuit claims GM trucks with L87 V8s are prone to catastrophic engine failure.
Plaintiffs argue GM’s recall remedy is inadequate, even when engines are replaced.
Case joins multiple V8-related lawsuits, including a recent $150 million LC9 settlement.
General Motors is facing a growing wave of lawsuits over its V8 engines as more owners come forward with claims of serious mechanical failures and inadequate fixes.
Now, a new class action lawsuit against General Motors alleges that it knew its L87 V8 engines were faulty from the start. Plaintiffs say the rod bearings are prone to failure and that when they do, the engine seizes or one of the pistons makes its personal exit hole somewhere in the block. Now, they’re hoping to find the success that other lawsuits against GM have had in recent weeks.
Also: Lawsuit Says GM’s Fix Won’t Save Your V8 From Dying
The L87 is GM’s 6.2-liter small block V8 used in several big trucks and SUVs. Affected vehicles include the GMC Sierra, Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, and Cadillac Escalade. Filed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, the case hinges in part on a recall from GM that includes 597,630 vehicles. It alleges that the recall remedy isn’t sufficient.
That remedy is to replace the engine if necessary, but only if it fails an inspection. Those that pass the inspection get a thicker oil, a new oil filter, and a new oil cap. Owners are understandably worried that their V8 might pass inspection, but it’ll still die given enough time and mileage. The lawsuit alleges that replacing the engine isn’t a good enough fix either, since the one that goes back in is also an L87.
More: An Oil Change Won’t Fix GM’s V8 Issues, Another Lawsuit Says
In addition to concerns about the mechanical fix, the plaintiffs are seeking damages to cover diminished vehicle value and the loss of use.
Here’s the kicker. This is just one of at least two ongoing lawsuits against GM for the L87. Another one, first spotted by CarComplaints, includes many of the same complaints and requests but also alleges issues with the crankshaft dimensions and surface finish. It’s filed in the Eastern District of Michigan.
More: GM’s V8 Engine Problem Is So Bad It’s Wrecking Thousands Of Trucks And SUVs
These aren’t even the only General Motors V8 lawsuits in a general sense from recent times. Earlier this month, the company settled a lawsuit over the LC9 V8. That 5.3-liter unit allegedly had defective piston rings and assemblies. The settlement was also noteworthy because of the $150 million that GM paid out; lawyers in the case walked away with $57 million. The three plaintiffs who benefited the most received a mere $30,000.
