GM Engine Recall Lawsuit: Alleged Defects In L87 V8 Powertrain

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges GM's recall for its 6.2L V8 L87 engine is inadequate, as it doesn't address the fundamental design defects causing widespread failures.

Consumers Affected: Owners of vehicles equipped with 6.2L V8 L87 engines that have experienced similar failures or reliability problems, including 2019-2025 models.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

General Motors faces another class action lawsuit over its problematic 6.2L V8 L87 engine, with Michigan plaintiffs claiming the automaker's recent recall doesn't solve the fundamental defects causing widespread failures.

Betty Sherman and Anthony Lofton's 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 sat dead at a dealership since May 2025 after the L87 engine suffered complete failure, leaving them with monthly payments on a vehicle they can't drive, according to their federal complaint.

The complaint alleges that GM's recent recall of its 6.2L V8 L87 engine doesn't address the fundamental design problems causing widespread failures across multiple vehicle models and model years.

Sherman and Lofton filed their class action complaint in Michigan, represented by The Miller Law Firm PC and Barrack, Rodos & Bacine, claiming GM knew about engine defects but continued selling vehicles with problematic powertrains.

Engine Failures Escalate from Ticking to Complete Power Loss

The lawsuit details how Lofton first noticed concerning sounds from the L87 engine, including ticking and knocking noises that occurred until the powerplant heated up during operation. He also experienced occasional engine misfiring under various driving conditions, symptoms that suggested developing mechanical problems.

These warning signs culminated in complete engine failure in May 2025, when the L87 powerplant died while Lofton was driving and refused to restart afterward. The diagnostic trouble code P0016 indicated misalignment between the camshaft and crankshaft, pointing to serious internal engine damage.

According to the complaint, their GMC Sierra has remained at the dealership since early May, leaving the plaintiffs without the vehicle they're still making monthly payments on. Lofton has been forced to rent vehicles multiple times to maintain transportation while their truck sits unusable.

"Anthony Lofton would not have funded the purchase of the Class Vehicle, or would have paid less for it, had he known about the Engine Defect," the lawsuit states.

Federal Investigation Reveals Massive Scope of L87 Problems

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and GM opened an investigation into 6.2L V8 L87 failures based on 28,102 field complaints in the United States alone. According to the lawsuit, approximately 14,000 of these complaints involved complete loss of power or propulsion, representing serious safety hazards for drivers.

GM's own estimates suggest roughly 21,000 engines will require complete replacement worldwide among vehicles covered by the recall. The automaker's recall affects 2021 to 2024 model-year vehicles including the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, and GMC Yukon.

However, the recall excludes 2019 and 2020 model years like Sherman and Lofton's Sierra, as well as 2025 model-year vehicles, despite similar L87 engines being used across these production periods. Engines that don't require replacement receive oil viscosity changes from 0W-20 to 0W-40, plus extended warranties.

Plaintiffs Say GM's Recall Solution is Inadequate

Sherman and Lofton argue that GM's recall doesn't solve the underlying problems because defective L87 engines will be replaced with equally flawed powerplants from the same production lines. The lawsuit contends that the automaker hasn't addressed the root cause of camshaft and crankshaft misalignment issues.

According to the complaint, GM knew about L87 engine defects but continued manufacturing and selling vehicles equipped with problematic powertrains. The plaintiffs allege that the company prioritized profits over customer safety by concealing known reliability issues from purchasers.

The lawsuit argues that consumers wouldn't have bought affected vehicles, or would have paid less for them, if GM had disclosed the engine problems before sale. By withholding this information, the automaker allegedly engaged in deceptive business practices that harmed customers financially.

Vehicle Value Plummets While Payments Continue

The complaint alleges that Sherman and Lofton's truck has lost substantial value due to engine reliability problems and the associated stigma of being part of a defective vehicle class. Despite this depreciation, they continue making monthly payments on a vehicle they cannot use or rely upon.

The financial burden extends beyond loan payments to include rental car costs when Lofton needed transportation while their Sierra remained at the dealership. The lawsuit argues that these additional expenses represent damages directly caused by GM's allegedly defective engine design.

According to the plaintiffs, the combination of lost vehicle value, continued payments, and supplementary transportation costs demonstrates the financial harm caused by purchasing a vehicle with known but undisclosed defects.

GM Faces Multiple Safety and Reliability Lawsuits

General Motors is defending several other class action lawsuits involving different vehicle systems and alleged safety defects. The automaker recently faced litigation over keyless entry systems that allegedly make vehicles vulnerable to high-tech theft, affecting millions of Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac SUVs and trucks built from 2010 to present.

GM also confronts a massive class action over allegedly defective transmissions in hundreds of thousands of vehicles, plus legal challenges from Texas over the sale of driver data to insurance companies. 

In the GM L87 engine class action lawsuit, Sherman and Lofton want to represent all owners of vehicles equipped with 6.2L V8 L87 engines that have experienced similar failures or reliability problems. The proposed class could include thousands of drivers whose vehicles contain the allegedly defective powertrains.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate owners for decreased vehicle values, repair costs, and additional expenses caused by engine failures. Plaintiffs also request injunctive relief requiring GM to properly address the root causes of L87 engine problems.

Their complaint demands that GM provide adequate remedies for all affected vehicle owners, not just those covered by the limited recall that excludes certain model years despite using similar engine designs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Betty Sherman and Anthony Lofton v. General Motors, LLC
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Plaintiffs' Attorney:

• The Miller Law Firm PC
• Barrack, Rodos & Bacine

Do you own a GM vehicle with an L87 engine? Have you experienced similar reliability problems? Share your experience below.