DISCLAIMER: This litigation is closed. We are accepting Hydraulic Valve Lifter cases.
- If you have a General Motors vehicle with other issues, you may have a lemon law claim. Call our California GM lemon law attorneys today for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout California, including Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, and Santa Ana.
A class action lawsuit was filed against General Motors in 2021 for issues with the hydraulic valve lifter in Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles that have specific versions of its Small Block V8 engines. Those involved in the lawsuit are accusing General Motors of knowing about the defective valve problem and proceeding to sell the vehicles anyway, potentially putting drivers in danger and increasing risk of collision.
The vehicles affected by the faulty valve complications include the following vehicle make and models.
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2021 GMC Yukon
- 2021 GMC Yukon XL
Owners of these vehicles are reporting issues with the engine misfiring. This issue is leading to the hydraulic valve-lifter malfunctioning and prematurely failing along with other related reported engine issues, including but not limited to stalling and losing engine power while driving the vehicle, despite the low mileage reported on these vehicles.
How does a Hydraulic Valve Lifter Work?
A hydraulic valve lifter is a cylinder that is part of the internal combustion engine utilized to help open internal valves positioned between a car’s camshaft and cylinder valves. The General Motor vehicles in question have an active fuel management (AFM) or dynamic fuel management (DFM) system that allows the lifter to collapse when the cylinder is deactivated and prevents the camshaft from opening when it is not in use. All these pieces of equipment work together to ensure the engine runs properly and efficiently. If the lifters are faulty, it can cause a ticking, banging, or knocking sound and should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the car’s engine.
General Motors Service Bulletin
General Motors has issued a Technical Service Bulletin for the vehicles that may be affected by vehicle engine misfires leading to hydraulic valve lifter malfunctions. The bulletin explains that if a lifter collapses or has come apart, it is important to follow the below guidelines put together by General Motors for replacing the parts.
- If the vehicle has under 8000 miles (12,875km) and is within the breakpoint window it will be necessary to replace all lifters and guides on both banks.
- If a vehicle has over 8000 miles (12,875km) and is within the breakpoint window it will be necessary to replace the lifters and guides on the affected bank only, not both.
General Motors has not issued a recall for the hydraulic valves, but if your vehicle starts presenting these problems, the vehicle should actively be brought in to be serviced for repairs as soon as possible.
California Lemon Law
If you have experienced hydraulic valve lifter issues with your Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicle, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle, refund, or cash settlement. The California lemon law attorneys at Young & Young APC are committed to providing you with the utmost professional service and will fight for the compensation you deserve. If you are still under the vehicle’s original warranty and have brought your vehicle in for multiple repair attempts, contact us today for a free case evaluation and see if you qualify under the California lemon law.
