GM Lifter Lawsuit: The L87 6.2L V8 Engine-Failure Claims

The Defect

A consolidated class action — Rittereiser v. General Motors in the Eastern District of Michigan — targets GM’s L87 6.2-liter V8, used in popular full-size trucks and SUVs. Plaintiffs allege a manufacturing defect causes rod-bearing damage, tied to sediment on connecting rods and in crankshaft oil passages and to crankshaft finishing issues, that can lead to sudden, total engine failure — sometimes with no warning and, in some reports, at very low mileage.

An engine that can fail without warning raises a safety concern, not just a repair-cost one, which is central to the case.

The Recall and Status

The suit covers a broad set of 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban; GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade models — with NHTSA figures indicating more than 877,000 vehicles could have the L87 engine. In 2025 GM issued a safety recall acknowledging the defect could cause engine damage and crashes. But plaintiffs allege GM’s proposed remedy — largely switching to a higher-viscosity oil in some vehicles — does not fix the root cause and leaves drivers exposed.

As this was written, the case was ongoing with no settlement finalized.

What Owners Should Know

Owners of affected GM trucks and SUVs should confirm and complete the recall for their VIN and keep records of any engine repair, replacement or failure. Because plaintiffs question whether the recall remedy is adequate, documenting a recurrence after the fix could matter to both a warranty argument and the litigation.