Vortec Engine Problems Caused by Intentional Defect, Lawsuit Claims

An Ohio siding business and an Ohio resident have filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors, accusing the automaker of knowingly selling vehicles with engine problems.

In a 76-page vehicle safety defect complaint, siding contractor Airko, Inc., along with lead plaintiff Lisa Mae J., say they purchased 2013 Chevrolet Silverados with serious Vortec engine problems. Essentially, the engine—a Generation IV Vortec 5300—consumes excessive oil, which in turn damages several engine components, according to the vehicle defect suit.

The plaintiffs allege that GM was aware of the alleged Vortec engine problems prior to its 2009 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, and after reorganizing, yet continued to sell vehicles with these defective engines until 2014, when the automaker redesigned the engine to address the problems, according to the vehicle defect complaint.

The chief problem, according to the class action lawsuit, is engine damage caused by excessive oil consumption. First, the suit claims, the engine’s piston rings allow oil in the crankcase to leak into other engine compartments. The engine’s “active fuel management” system sprays excess fuel, causing it to leak into the combustion chamber, which then results in the oil burning or accumulating as carbon buildup, which in turn prevents the spark plugs from properly igniting the gasoline in the combustion chamber.

Airko and Lisa Mae allege that GM knew of these defects, yet failed to warn drivers about the problems with the engine’s oil level. The system allows vehicle owners to drive thousands of miles, unaware that their engine is lacking the proper lubricant, resulting in the engine components wearing out. Vehicle owners aren’t alerted by the oil monitoring system until the engines are “critically oil starved,” the Vortec engine problems lawsuit claims.

Even though GM redesigned the engine in 2014, drivers of older model vehicles are left to deal with the defective engines without any relief from the automaker, the lawsuit contends.

The Vortec engine problems lawsuit was filed on Nov. 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The proposed class action was filed on behalf of the plaintiffs and Ohio consumers who own the following Chevrolet vehicles (model years 2010 to 2014):

• Avalanche
• Silverado
• Suburban
• Tahoe

Owners of the following GMC vehicles (model years 2010 to 2014) are also part of the proposed class action:

• Sierra
• Yukon
• Yukon XL

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages from GM on multiple counts, including violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, and for breach of express and implied warranty, fraudulent omission, and unjust enrichment.

“While the strength of our complaint’s allegations speak for themselves, the fact is that materially identical claims have already been roundly sustained in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, where classes have also already been certified,” an attorney for the plaintiffs told Law360. “We see no reason why the same outcome shouldn’t happen here.”

Filing a Vehicle Safety Defect Lawsuit

This is not the first lawsuit filed against GM over its 5.3-liter LC9 V8 engine.

If you have owned or leased a vehicle affected by Vortec engine problems you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

The Vortec Engine Problems Lawsuit is Case No. 1:20-cv-02638, in the U.S. District Court for the Cleveland Division of the Northern District of Ohio.