Another low mileage V8 falls to the AFM lifter defect...

[szalkerous]

Well, just to help anyone else out with a current 2025 story of GM lifter failure....

My 2015 Silverado 1500 LTZ with 35k miles on the 5.3L L83 (carefully maintained) experienced the telltale lifter tick on the passenger side (either cyl no. 4 or 6) with hesitation under load and I had it brought (towed) to the dealership.

Cylinder #6 lifter failure. Dealer quoted $4,680 to repair based on TSB 15-06-01-002H. If the camshaft was found also damaged, the bill goes to over $9000. "But you're getting a 2-year warranty with unlimited mileage!" they told me. Yeah, great. The 6-year powertrain warranty did me a lot of good (I don't think it was ever used).

I've contacted corporate customer care along the way. Now I get to see what they have to say for all this, as I find this an absolutely unacceptable burden... and $9k+ is litigation territory in my humble opinion. This isn't just abuse or bad luck, we all know this is a full-blown design defect.

So how's that class-action lawsuit coming along, gents? 

[asilverblazer]

You have to acknowledge that you are 4 YEARS outside the warranty period, and you DESERVE NOTHING. So, your demeanor and tact will matter more than anything try to get the dealer on your side to advocate to GM for you too.

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk, just trying to illustrate the disadvantage you are at...

 

HOWEVER - In my opinion the mileage helps your case, do you have maintenance records?

 

Some careful strategic questions along the lines of, "Would this have been warrantied 4 years ago?"

 

(Yes, of course)

 

Followed up with, "How has the amount of time that has passed contributed to the failure?"

[KARNUT]

This is why you can’t buy a new vehicle for low mileage long term ownership. Is why I got rid of mine and went used. If I get bored with used vehicles I’ll do a low mileage lease. 

[Atlas]

It's absolutely unjust that the engine failed so early, and I'd be extremely angry too. A class action may offer some relief down the line. It's hard to say what might come of it.

[newdude]

Sounds like it wasn't maintained as good as it should have been

 

Its 10 going on 11 years old.  GM won't touch it, so don't waste your time. 

 

Its been well documented for almost 15 years that AFM disablers or turning AFM off via tuning can greatly reduce (but not eliminate!) AFM lifter failure.  Did you have such a thing installed or done to it?  

 

It's like Corvette people who threaten to sue GM, the dealer, the suppliers, when they discontinued a part for their 1998 Corvette.  The part was likely discontinued by 2010 but they think their car is new and current and parts should be around forever for it.  

 

 

Edited October 15, 2025 by newdude

[beetle]

O P, did you buy it new or used? Used vehicles can be a gamble. Deferred maintenance and/or abuse.

Edited October 15, 2025 by beetle

[KARNUT]

55 minutes ago, beetle said:

O P, did you buy it new or used? Used vehicles can be a gamble. Deferred maintenance and/or abuse.

It’s a good idea to buy the vehicles new or used from the dealer. The big 4 trucks and SUVs especially. You get free carfax for tracking maintenance. And can get CPO. There are brands out there that following the regular maintenance schedule does no harm for longevity past 150K. Miles. The brands are well known. I remember the days 2001-2005 especially GMs regularly maintenance was extreme. I had several new in that area. Have one currently. I was oblivious even going extended with the oil. I wouldn’t dare now. I would love to be driving an 8-10 year old GM currently. I’m driving a Ridgeline. It’s not nearly as nice as my 14 GMC was. It even got better fuel mileage. And was very quiet. I love the E-85 option. I could still tune everything. She would easily bark second gear. The Texas edition with the 345 gear. I put some 6.2s to shame on E-85. I chose keeping my old 92 instead. I trusted it more. It gave me 12 years no major problems. Damn cylinder deactivation. I still may find one cheap enough. With the 6 speed transmission. The 8 speed, no. I never gave buying trucks a thought. I feel bad for buyers of new and recently used trucks today. Expensive and unreliable. 

[SizzlingSkilletz]

Sadly mine fell victim about 2months ago. parked until i can find the time to plan out a lifter delete with cam install. is there any news about a lawsuit? i definitely wanna sign up

[rav3]

4 minutes ago, SizzlingSkilletz said:

Sadly mine fell victim about 2months ago. parked until i can find the time to plan out a lifter delete with cam install. is there any news about a lawsuit? i definitely wanna sign up

What year & miles?