The LC9 5.3L Vortec Settlement
The case, Siqueiros v. General Motors LLC, filed in 2016 in federal court in California, alleged the 5.3-liter LC9 Vortec 5300 V8 engine used in 2011 to 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche, Tahoe, and Suburban and GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles had defective piston rings that caused excessive oil consumption. Plaintiffs alleged this led to fouled spark plugs, rough idling, reduced performance, and in severe cases complete engine failure, and that GM knew about the defect internally but did not disclose it or issue a broader recall.
After eight years of litigation, GM agreed to a 150 million dollar settlement, finalized in October 2025, without admitting wrongdoing. Because the case proceeded only in California, Idaho, and North Carolina, the settlement benefits are limited to owners and lessees in those three states, with estimated individual payments in the range of roughly 2,149 dollars, though a related, separate settlement covering an Oklahoma case provided different payout amounts to claimants there.
A Separate, Newer Lawsuit: The 6.2L L87
This should not be confused with a distinct and more recent legal matter. In April 2025, GM was hit with a new class action lawsuit alleging its 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine, used in more recent GM trucks and SUVs, is prone to sudden, catastrophic failure. This is a different engine, a different generation of GM vehicles, and a separate case from the LC9 settlement described above.
As of this update, the L87 lawsuit remains active and unresolved, with no settlement reached. This litigation illustrates a pattern: GM has faced recurring engine-defect litigation across different V8 generations over roughly the past decade, and each case needs to be evaluated on its own facts regarding the specific engine and vehicle model years involved.
Other Recent GM Litigation
GM has also faced a series of other, unrelated class actions in recent years, including claims involving Chevy Bolt battery fires, defective paint on certain Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models, faulty fuel pumps in Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs, and defective shifter assemblies in certain Chevrolet and Buick vehicles. Each of these is a separate matter from the V8 engine litigation and would need to be checked independently against your specific vehicle.
Given how many distinct GM vehicle-defect matters exist at any given time, the practical first step for any owner experiencing a problem is to check their Vehicle Identification Number against both the relevant class action settlement website and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall database, since owning a GM vehicle with an unrelated problem does not mean it falls under the V8 oil consumption settlement.
How to Get Legal Help
If you owned or leased a 2011 to 2014 GM truck or SUV with the 5.3-liter LC9 Vortec engine, check the official settlement website to see if you are in the eligible California, Idaho, or North Carolina class, since the settlement was limited to those states. If you own a vehicle with the newer 6.2-liter L87 engine and have experienced a sudden failure, document the issue and consult an attorney, since that separate lawsuit remains active and unresolved.
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GM V8 Engine Lawsuit: The $150 Million Settlement, and a Newer Case: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this case and your legal options.
What did the GM V8 lawsuit allege?
That the 5.3-liter LC9 Vortec V8 engine in certain 2011 to 2014 GM trucks and SUVs had defective piston rings causing excessive oil consumption, leading to spark plug fouling, rough idling, and sometimes complete engine failure, and that GM knew about the issue but did not disclose it.
How much is the settlement worth?
GM agreed to pay 150 million dollars, finalized in October 2025, benefiting eligible owners and lessees in California, Idaho, and North Carolina, with estimated individual payments in the range of roughly 2,149 dollars.
Is the newer 6.2L V8 lawsuit the same case?
No. It is a separate lawsuit, filed in April 2025, alleging the newer 6.2-liter L87 engine used in more recent GM vehicles is prone to sudden, catastrophic failure. It remains active with no settlement reached.
Why was the LC9 settlement limited to three states?
Because the litigation, after years in court, proceeded specifically in California, Idaho, and North Carolina, so the resulting settlement benefits are limited to owners and lessees in those states rather than nationwide.
Has GM admitted the engines are defective?
No. GM has consistently denied wrongdoing in both the LC9 settlement and the ongoing L87 litigation while resolving the LC9 matter through settlement to avoid further litigation costs.