GM Class Action Says Engines Fail Prematurely

A recent GM class action lawsuit claims that GMC and Chevrolet vehicles manufactured by the auto company are equipped with defective engines.

According to plaintiff Thomas Szep, GM vehicles with Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 engines suffer from engine failure due to defects.

The defective engines allegedly consume an “abnormally and improperly high” amount of motor oil which results in low oil levels in the vehicle. This can reportedly lead to insufficient lubrication in the engine and subsequently damage engine components.

The GM class action lawsuit argues that the defect stems from insufficient piston rings in the Generation IV Vortec 5300 engines. The piston rings allegedly fail to maintain sufficient tension which results in oil leaving the crankcase too quickly.

These problems are allegedly exacerbated by GM’s Oil Life Monitoring System. This system is supposed to alert consumers about their oil levels, but reportedly fails to actually monitor the levels of oil in an engine. Instead, the system allegedly monitors engine conditions and calculates expected oil consumption.

“The result is a system that directs drivers to travel thousands of miles with inadequate engine lubricity levels, wearing out and damaging moving internal engine components – a particularly serious problem in light of the fact that the Oil Consumption Defect causes improper and excessive oil loss in each of the Class Vehicles,” the GM class action lawsuit claims.

The engine failure defect reported affects the following vehicles: 2010-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche, 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Express, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Silverado, 2010-2014 Chevrolet Suburban, 2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2010-2013 GMC Canyon, 2010-2013 GMC Savana, 2010-2013 GMC Sierra, 2010-2014 GMC Yukon, and 2010-2014 GMC Yukon XL.

Owners of these vehicles have allegedly left repeated complaints about the issue in online forums.

Szep says he experienced the issue with his 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. He argues that the engine defect was never disclosed to him and that he purchased the vehicle under the assumption that it would be “a reliable vehicle.” The engine defect has reportedly rendered the vehicle less valuable and less reliable, which Szep argues constitutes injury.

In his GM class action lawsuit, Szep seeks to represent a Class of current and former owners or lessees of Class vehicles that were acquired in the United States. He also seeks to represent a Class of the same consumers who purchased or leased their vehicles in Ohio.

GM has faced several engine defect class action lawsuits over the past few years. In 2017, plaintiffs filed a GM class action alleging that the some of the vehicles from the company are equipped with defective engines. These engines allegedly cause excessive oil consumption, spark plug degradation, and malfunctions in engine performance.

Did you purchase or lease a 2010-2013 GM vehicle equipped with the allegedly defective engine? Share your experiences in the comment section below.

Szep and the proposed Class are represented by Mark A. DiCello, Justin J. Hawal, Adam J. Levitt, John E. Tangren, and Daniel R. Ferri of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC.

The GM Engines Class Action Lawsuit is Szep v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 1:19-cv-02858, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

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