Christina Spicer  |  July 27, 2021

Category: Auto News
Vortec GM engine
(Photo Credit: DoubleR- Photos/Shutterstock)

A class action lawsuit alleging GM sold defective Vortec engines that suffer from excessive oil consumption will continue in Oregon after defeating a dismissal attempt by the automaker in Oregon federal court.  

Lead plaintiff, William Martell, filed the GM engine class action lawsuit in Oregon federal court in February 2020. He claimed that his 2011 Chevy Silverado suffered from excessive oil consumption caused by defects in the Vortec engine.  

Martell claimed the following vehicles were equipped with a defective GM engine: 

  • 2010–2014 Chevrolet Avalanche 
  • 2010–2013 Chevrolet Silverado 
  • 2010–2014 Chevrolet Suburban 
  • 2010–2014 Chevrolet Tahoe 
  • 2010–2013 GMC Sierra 
  • 2010–2014 GMC Yukon 
  • 2010–2014 GMC Yukon XL 

GM urged the court to toss the class action lawsuit, contending that the automaker had not breached its express warranty to Martell and others who owned vehicles equipped with Vortec engines, along with seeking dismissal of state law and fraud claims.  

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon rejected GM’s attempt to dodge the breach of warranty, as well as fraudulent concealment, and claims under Oregon state consumer protection laws.  

This is far from the only class action lawsuit lodged against GM claiming the Vortec engine is defective. The carmaker faces a class action in Michigan alleging that GMC and Chevy vehicles equipped with a Generation IV Vortec 5300 run through excessive amounts of oil. A West Virginia plaintiff also filed a class action lawsuit claiming GM knows about the faulty system that burns off extraordinary amounts of oil, causing engine failures and misfires, but allegedly continues selling vehicles despite the defective Vortec engine.  

Do you drive a vehicle made by GM with a Vortec engine? Have you had issues with oil consumption? Let us know in the comments below. 

The plaintiff is represented by Adam J. Levitt, DiCello Levitt & Casey LLC, Daniel Ferri of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC, Kim D. Stephens of Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC, Leslie L. Pescia, H. Clay Barnett III, and James Mitchell Williams of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.LES PC, John Tangren of DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC, and Wilson “Dee” Miles III of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.LES PC. 

The GM Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Martell v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 3:20-cv-00284 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.


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64 thoughts onGM Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit Putters Along in Oregon

  1. kristine white says:

    I have a 2008 chevy silverado that consumes more oil than it should.

  2. David Leonard says:

    I have a 2014 Chevrolet Suburban 

  3. Jerome Mackey says:

    I have a 2015 GMC Terrain that consumes oil and there is no apparent oil leak.

    1. Danielle Fritz says:

      Same. Mine is a 2013 Terrain and we’re putting oil into it every single week.

    2. Shontell M Mosley says:

      I have the same problem on my gmc terrian

  4. Katie Cayton says:

    Yep, 2013 Tahoe LTZ, 153,000 miles. I can’t even sell it because of all the issues right now! ??‍♀️

  5. william henry rupley says:

    Yes, I have a Vortec engine in my 07 Yukon. It is a 5.3 L and has used excessive amounts of oil since purchased with 33K miles on it. I have had to have the engine rebuilt and the issues associated with excessive oil consumption and valve clatter were repaired. I chose to rebuild the present engine and invested +15K to have the repair completed due to the excessive cost of newer replacement vehicles Furthermore, to my knowledge, one of the same features that causes excessive oil consumption, the Active Fuel Management System, is still being used in current model engines for vehicles such as the Yukon.

  6. Roger Nichols says:

    My ’01 Suburban K2500, 8.1L went thru about 2 quarts every 4k miles, (mostly highway). Bought it in 2003 with 34k miles, now has just over 220k. Never failed me, just always kept a case of oil with me.

  7. Danielle klinefelter says:

    I have a 2001 Monte Carlo ss and I have oil consumption more than usual,my ignition switch moves and shut my car off on a major interstate and I had my grandkids in the car we all could have gotten killed. Also my hazard switch fell inside the dashboard and shortened my turn signal out. I can’t even sell the car cause it’s to dangerous, I also have medical issues so this is extremely scary to me..

  8. Romi says:

    What about 2014 GMC Terrain?

  9. John MacLeod says:

    I have a 2009 GMC youkon that burns oil

  10. shirley beck says:

    i had to give up my car chevrolet avalanche 2014 it was a defect in it excessive oil cause defect vortex

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