Lifters going bad on 5.3L-common problem apparently?

KARNUT · June 9, 2021

Yea. Must treat those Frankenstein engines with extra care. Shorter oil change intervals, special oil etc. Maybe you’ll see some gas mileage improvements. Only if you keep it under 60MPH. And pray all the extra hard ware holds up. I’ll pass.

Jbags85 · June 30, 2021

2021 Sierra 1500 ... 6500 miles on it and in the shop because of a faulty lifter. Backordered parts so could take a month or longer. Still under warranty obviously but the time out sucks.

AUTigerRN · July 16, 2021

On 5/4/2021 at 7:45 AM, Vtecluder617 said:

Have been noticing a lot of buzz on the FB Trail Boss/AT4 groups about people having lifters failing. All really low mileage too. Has me a bit concerned about my purchase! I always heard the 5.3L was a "tried and true" motor for GM.

I know people tend to go online and complain when they have an issue, but damn. Been noticing a lot of the "failed lifters" posts lately, from different people, complete with audio of how the motors sounds. Are these motors just a ticking time bomb, waiting to ****** the bed? Even if just 25% of 5.3L owners experience this at some point, I would consider that too high. Thoughts?

Owned my 21 Sierra AT4 for a week. Has 400 miles, 280 of them being from the drive home from the dealership I bought it at. It’s not sitting at the Chevy dealership waiting for 16 new lifters to be put in it and the lifters are on back order. I’m now stuck driving a Chevy Trax loaner until it’s fixed in a month.

kbbing · July 16, 2021

Definitely a problem with the Silverado 1500 lifters. The first time I had them replaced at 3,000 miles along with the Cat Converter. In the shop again to replace the lifters at 4,800 miles. They can't even fix my truck because there are so many in the shop they can't get parts. Backordered with no idea of when they will be in.

kbbing · July 16, 2021

Is anyone looking into Lemon Laws because of this issue?

AUTigerRN · July 16, 2021

8 hours ago, kbbing said:

Is anyone looking into Lemon Laws because of this issue?

Sadly, no lemon law in Alabama which is where I’m from. Waited so long to get this truck, but reading all of these issues may sell it the moment it’s fixed and buy something else.

Mandalorian · July 18, 2021

On 7/16/2021 at 9:10 AM, AUTigerRN said:

Sadly, no lemon law in Alabama which is where I’m from. Waited so long to get this truck, but reading all of these issues may sell it the moment it’s fixed and buy something else.

I don't know where you're getting your legal advice, but as a former Alabamian I can tell you there absolutely ARE Lemon Laws in Alabama as there are in all 50 states.

DSW1519 · July 19, 2021

2021 SLT 5.3 10 spd. Built 11/2020. 7500 miles on it. Dealer just called and have a faulty lifter. Dealer says they will replace all 16 lifters, but no eta on parts yet. I don't driveit hard, so it sucks that they have to tear into the engine with so little use.

GravelPitsYew · July 20, 2021

On 5/4/2021 at 12:14 PM, Vtecluder617 said:

I hear ya. Definitely not trying to imply that that the Tundra is perfect. But for me personally, I can deal with issues ranging from electronics, leaky rear windows, suspension parts, etc. I would draw the line at engine and transmission issues. An issue that could potentially leave me stranded somewhere, in a brand new $50K truck, doesn't sit right with me. No matter what faults the Tundra may have, I hear nothing but positive about their bullet proof engine! Some of the mileage claims on those trucks honestly makes me jealous. I would truly be happy and satisfied if my 5.3L in my TB LT lasted to 150K miles without major issues.

My nursed, all highway, never offroaded, 5.3L tundra crewmax had engine failure at 85k. They called it a fluke and offered me a whopping $1k if I bought another Toyota and it would be paid after the fact/unable to be used on the down payment. That’s when I came “back” to Chevy. Hope I don’t have this lifter issue!

dgstarr63 · July 20, 2021

The Range is available for the 5.3 with 6 speed or 8 speed. It is worth it to disable GM's worst lifters in over 100 years. The replacement lifters are also failing. You will only loose about one mpg. The Range has not been calibrated for the 10 speed yet.

BOSSCowboys · July 20, 2021

I own a 2021 trailboss 5.3 and just had to have all lifters replaced at 9k miles. This is an horrible issue with motors at low miles. GM Needs to compensate consumers some how. Maybe a lifetime warranty on the engine for Individuals that have had this issue.

Adamace1 · July 21, 2021

2 hours ago, BOSSCowboys said:

I own a 2021 trailboss 5.3 and just had to have all lifters replaced at 9k miles. This is an horrible issue with motors at low miles. GM Needs to compensate consumers some how. Maybe a lifetime warranty on the engine for Individuals that have had this issue.

Well lifetime motor warranty is a little much. But it would be a good for them to stand behind their product and give a 150k warranty on the cams, lifters, ect parts that are effected that needed the repair.

JimCost2014 · July 21, 2021

Yea, lifetime warranty on an engine is a bit of a stretch.

Now, I am not saying that I would drive a TB like a Raptor/TRX off road every chance I had at WOT, because of that warranty, but some might

Edited July 21, 2021 by JimCost2014

luke1333 · July 21, 2021

5.3 & 6.2 have had some lifter failures if they fall in the date range of "bad" lifters

msween313 · July 21, 2021

I have 3,600 miles on my 2021 AT4 with a 5.3 and it is now in the shop with bad lifters. Parts are on backorder with no estimated time of arrival. Guess I am not the only one having this problem.