GM Class Action Lawsuit Over Defective L87 Engines
General Motors is facing a nationwide class action lawsuit over its 6.2L L87 V8 engines. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims that GM knowingly sold vehicles with serious engine defects that can cause premature failure, expensive repairs, and dangerous loss of power on the road.
At Valero Law, we represent California consumers in cases just like this. Here’s what you need to know if you own a GM truck or SUV equipped with an L87 engine.
What’s the Problem
The lawsuit centers on allegations that GM’s L87 engines suffer from internal manufacturing defects, that we’ve discussed very often on this blog. Owners report that sediment builds up inside the crankshaft oil passages, causing rod bearing damage and leading to engine failure. The complaint also highlights problems with the crankshaft specifications and finishing process, which further compromise durability.
When these defects occur, the engine may knock, lose power, or completely fail. In many cases, the only solution is a full engine replacement — and even then, consumers argue the replacement engines may have the same vulnerabilities.
Allegations
Plaintiffs claim that GM knew, or should have known, about the design and manufacturing flaws but failed to disclose them to consumers. They also allege that GM’s recall campaign does not go far enough. While GM has offered replacements for certain engines built between March 2021 and May 2024, the lawsuit contends that simply swapping in another L87 engine does not eliminate the risk of recurrence.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for owners who paid premium prices for vehicles that now suffer from repeated breakdowns, lost resale value, and ongoing repair headaches.
Recall and Technical Service Actions
GM has recalled vehicles equipped with the affected L87 engines, including popular models such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade. The recall covers engines built in a narrow production window, from March 2021 to May 2024.
GM insists that newer replacement engines are manufactured under improved standards and no longer suffer from the same defects. The plaintiffs, however, dispute this claim and maintain that GM has not offered a permanent fix.
Symptoms Owners Are Reporting
Drivers of affected trucks and SUVs have described persistent knocking sounds, loss of engine power, sudden stalling, and repeated check engine lights. In some cases, engines failed completely within relatively low mileage, requiring full replacement under warranty.
Even after replacement, some consumers continue to experience problems, which raises questions about the long-term reliability of GM’s solution.
How to Proceed
Document Issues: Keep detailed records of all repairs and communications with the manufacturer. At the dealership, insist that every complaint be noted in the service order when you drop off your vehicle.
Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts: California law does not set an exact number, but if the same defect persists after four or more repair attempts, or if your vehicle is out of service for more than 30 cumulative days, it may qualify as a lemon.
Monitor Symptoms: Any new noises, warning lights, or loss of power should be addressed immediately. Stop driving if you experience sudden stalling and request an inspection.
Talk to a Lemon Law Attorney, like Valero Law: If GM cannot fix the defect, or if your vehicle has required repeated repairs, you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
Call Valero Law
If you are like many GM owners now experiencing serious engine issues with your Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac, you may be entitled to compensation under the California Lemon Law.
Compensation may include:
A complete repurchase of your defective vehicle
A replacement vehicle
Or substantial cash reimbursement for the damages caused by the defect
If you’re in California and your GM truck or SUV has a 6.2L L87 engine defect, call Valero Law, APC at (424) 299-4447 or complete our free Lemon Law case evaluation form today. We take cases on a contingency basis, so there is no cost to you.