--- title: "Are there new problems with GM V-8 engine lifters lurking?" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2021/12/are-there-new-problems-with-gm-v-8-engine-lifters-lurking/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Brian Medford" published: "2021-12-20T23:11:46+00:00" modified: "2026-07-19T11:36:55+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GM-L87-6.2L-V-8-Engine--scaled-e1786137188264.jpg" --- # Are there new problems with GM V-8 engine lifters lurking? By Brian Medford Published: 2021-12-20T23:11:46+00:00 Updated: 2026-07-19T11:36:55+00:00 ![Featured image]() General Motors V-8 engines are no stranger to lifter problems. Owners of GM V-8 engines with Active Fuel Management (AFM) have dealt with stuck and collapsed lifters for years. But it seems a new round of lifter woes are hitting GM truck engines with relatively low mileage. The GM lifter problems affect both the 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups as well as their GMT T1XX platform SUV siblings, the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. “On the older trucks, you would see issues around the 50-100k range, whereas a lot of the new trucks’ failures are in the 4-digit mileage range,” said a dealership technician who wishes to remain anonymous. “We are seeing about one every other week, and just last week had three towed in on one day.” ### **What is a lifter?** For those who aren’t technical, let’s back up a moment and talk about what a lifter does. In its simplest terms, it helps open the valves in the engine. Each valve in an engine has a separate lifter, and in vehicles with active fuel management (AFM) or dynamic fuel management (DFM), which deactivate cylinders when they aren’t in use, lifters will collapse when the cylinder is deactivated so the camshaft won’t open the valve. Understanding this, it’s not difficult to see how a problem could occur. And if you want more detailed information on a what a lifter is and does[, this J.D. Power article is a great resource](). ### **Signs of GM lifter problems** The GM lifter problems seem to be most prevalent in the L84 5.3-V-8 and L87 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engines with build dates between September 2020 and March 2021. These engines are the newer variable displacement design, which uses DFM rather than the older AFM system. The vehicles seem to be failing with less than 10,000 miles on the odometer. For more information on defective GM 8 speed transmission problems and class action lawsuits check out [toolsbible automobile blog](). Drivers report that the issue can manifest simply as a check engine light, be as dramatic as engine shuddering/rough running, or as sudden as complete engine shutdown. Unfortunately, once the “Check Engine Light” comes on, the damage has likely already been done. The engine may make a ticking or knocking noise, which may or may not vary with engine RPM. ### **What went wrong?** Signs so far point to a batch of bad lifters used during engine assembly. “They shear the locking pin inside and then they either don’t lock in a fixed position or they come out in two pieces,” our anonymous dealership technician said. If the lifter gets stuck in the wrong position, a bent pushrod can be the result. ### **GM’s fix** GM is advising technicians to diagnose the misfire condition first. Identifying any engine trouble codes that may be set (typically P050D, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, or P0308) first. Once an affected cylinder is identified, the technician can disassemble the necessary portion of the engine for confirmation. Once a collapsed lifter or bent pushrod has been identified, the current fix is to replace only the affected cylinder head bank components. Damaged lifters are to be replaced across the entire cylinder bank, while undamaged pushrods are reused. Frustratingly, some owners report having one cylinder bank of lifters replaced, only to have the other cylinder bank fail soon after. Parts availability has been an issue though. “Lifters have been backordered, as well as head gaskets, and the dealers that have the parts are reluctant to sell them off to other dealers,” the anonymous dealership technician said. Parts scarcity has been a common theme in the automotive world for the past few months due to pandemic-related supply chain issues. Dealerships are in a tough spot deciding how much stock they need to keep on hand to service their own customers versus selling parts wholesale to other dealerships. We called one local GM dealership which did not have any lifters in stock, while a different nearby GM dealer had hundreds on hand. ### **The bottom line on GM lifter problems** Current owners of affected vehicles have no choice but to wait and see if they will fall victim to faulty lifters problem. Unfortunately, the GM lifter problems are currently being handled on an “as-needed” basis, so owners will have to wait and see if problems manifest on their own vehicle. So, far GM has not issued any national recalls. Luckily, it seems that the lifters problem does have a fix that is working. “When we can get the parts, it’s a relatively quick repair and it’s a one-and-done fix,” the anonymous dealership technician said. “I have not seen any of the new trucks having the lifters replaced and then coming back 6,000 miles with lifter failure again.” In cruising through many online forums, I found some owners are choosing to deactivate DFM with aftermarket computer tunes and physical parts replacements. Those who choose this route should research carefully, however, as such changes may void their vehicle’s warranty. And deactivating the system may not ensure stopping a failure, as only time will tell. **Related posts:** - [Another lawsuit filed over GM Shift to Park feature]() - [3.0L Duramax diesel has known long crank start issues, but no recall]() - [Is the 2014-2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 reliable? 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