If a lifter fails in your GM V8 today, you’re paying for it. The GM valve lifter lawsuit has been in federal court since December 2021, and nearly five years in, it still has no certified class, no settlement and no recall behind it. That makes your repair paperwork the only thing that will count if the case ever pays out.
Quick answer: The GM valve lifter lawsuit, Harrison v. General Motors, claims 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8s in 2014-and-later Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade and other models have defective AFM and DFM lifters. It’s pending in federal court in Michigan. No class has been certified and no settlement or recall exists yet.
Last updated: November 11, 2026
Which trucks and SUVs are in the GM valve lifter lawsuit?
The case, Harrison, et al. v. General Motors LLC, sits in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan before Judge Laurie J. Michelson. CarComplaints lists the vehicles named in the complaint, all with 5.3L, 6.0L or 6.2L V8s:
| Model | Years named |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado and Silverado 1500 | 2014–present |
| GMC Sierra and Sierra 1500 | 2014–present |
| Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban | 2014–present |
| GMC Yukon and Yukon XL | 2014–present |
| Cadillac Escalade | 2014–present |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 2016–present (SS: 2014–present) |
| Chevrolet Corvette | 2014–2019 |
| Cadillac CTS-V | 2016–2019 |
| Chevrolet Avalanche | 2014–2016 |
Pickup Truck Talk reported on March 6, 2026 that the 5.3L L84 and 6.2L L87 are the engines most named. If your 5.3L has never ticked, you’re still in the proposed class, with nothing to claim yet.
What do owners say goes wrong with the lifters?
These engines shut off cylinders at light load to save fuel. Active Fuel Management (AFM) does it on half the cylinders. Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), on newer trucks, can drop different combinations. Both rely on special lifters that collapse on command, fed by pressurized oil.
The plaintiffs claim GM used lightweight lifters, installed some in the wrong positions and didn’t account for how lifter bores expand and contract with heat. They also claim GM ignored the extra oil pressure the AFM lifters see. A lifter that sticks or collapses stops opening its valve. You hear ticking, the engine misfires, and the truck can hesitate, surge or stall.
The complaint also says GM’s replacement lifters carry the same flaw, so a repair may only reset the clock. That’s an allegation, not a finding, and GM hasn’t conceded a defect.
Where does the GM lifter case stand in November 2026?
Stuck at the class stage. A motion for class certification was set for December 1, 2025, then pushed into 2026, CarComplaints reported on December 28, 2025. Along the way, several plaintiffs dropped out, some lawyers left, and 17 owners’ claims went to arbitration before many returned.
The last ruling we found came in early 2026. Plaintiffs asked to split the case into AFM and DFM tracks, and Judge Michelson said no. She noted her January 2023 opinion had already flagged “three separate part failures,” and wrote that the court “is surprised at the timing of this request: four years after the suit was filed.” We found no class certification ruling as of November 11, 2026.
How does the lifter suit compare with GM’s 6.2L recall?
These cases get confused. The difference decides who pays:
| Lifter lawsuit (Harrison) | L87 recall 25V-274 | NHTSA probe EA26005 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem | AFM and DFM lifters | Rod bearings and crankshafts | Failures after the recall fix |
| Vehicles | 2014–present, several V8s | 597,571 (2021–2024, 6.2L) | 997,743 (2021–2026) |
| Status | Class not certified | Open recall, free fix | Engineering Analysis since Aug. 20, 2026 |
| Who pays today | You | GM | Not decided |
A ticking 2022 Sierra 6.2L might be a lifter or a bearing. A dealer inspection under recall 25V-274 is free if your VIN is in the recall, and it rules one cause out. Our GM 6.2L V8 recall guide covers that fix, and the L87 0W-40 oil spec change explains the oil you should be running.
What should owners do while the case drags on?
Keep every repair order, oil change receipt and diagnostic printout. Our read: if this ends in a settlement, owners who can prove a lifter repair and its cost stand first in line. A cash repair at an independent shop counts only if the invoice names the lifters.
Used-truck buyers should ask for service history and listen for ticking on a cold start. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup too. For a model-by-model view, see our Silverado engine problems and best years.
GM lifter lawsuit questions owners ask
Is there a class action lawsuit against GM for lifters?
Yes. Harrison v. General Motors was filed in December 2021 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. It claims AFM and DFM lifters in 5.3L, 6.0L and 6.2L V8s are defective. As of November 2026 the court had not certified a class.
Is there a recall for GM lifter failure?
No. GM has not recalled any vehicles for AFM or DFM lifter failure, which is what the lawsuit asks for. The separate 6.2L L87 recall, 25V-274, covers rod bearing and crankshaft defects in 597,571 2021–2024 trucks and SUVs, and dealers fix those engines free.
What are the signs of a failing lifter on a GM V8?
Owners in the lawsuit describe a ticking noise from the engine, misfires, and chirps or squeals, along with hesitation, surging, shuddering or stalling. A collapsed lifter stops opening its valve, so that cylinder stops making power. Have a dealer read the codes before the damage spreads.
Nearly five years into the GM valve lifter lawsuit, there’s no class, no recall and no deadline to file a claim. The one thing you control is a paper trail that names the part, the date and the dollar amount.