Lifters going bad on 5.3L-common problem apparently?

im4snow2000 · September 27, 2021

2021 Sierra 1500 5.3 bought in Dec 2020. Now has about 10,500 miles. Check engine light came on last night, and it was running rough. "Check ECS" appeared on dash. Symptoms sound like bad lifter(s).

Selling dealer and more local dealer both said they can't look at it for two weeks....and if it is the lifter(s), they're roughly one month out!! Oh, they have no loaner vehicles due to overall industry shortage! Thankfully I have a family from whom to borrow a car.

Steve-2019 · September 27, 2021

3 hours ago, im4snow2000 said:

2021 Sierra 1500 5.3 bought in Dec 2020. Now has about 10,500 miles. Check engine light came on last night, and it was running rough. "Check ECS" appeared on dash. Symptoms sound like bad lifter(s).

Selling dealer and more local dealer both said they can't look at it for two weeks....and if it is the lifter(s), they're roughly one month out!! Oh, they have no loaner vehicles due to overall industry shortage! Thankfully I have a family from whom to borrow a car.

No, No No. Have them arrange for a rental vehicle for you.

BIGDOGx · September 27, 2021

3 hours ago, im4snow2000 said:

2021 Sierra 1500 5.3 bought in Dec 2020. Now has about 10,500 miles. Check engine light came on last night, and it was running rough. "Check ECS" appeared on dash. Symptoms sound like bad lifter(s).

Selling dealer and more local dealer both said they can't look at it for two weeks....and if it is the lifter(s), they're roughly one month out!! Oh, they have no loaner vehicles due to overall industry shortage! Thankfully I have a family from whom to borrow a car.

They owe you if you are without transportation because of a warranty issue. Below is pulled from GMC's website.

Quote

COURTESY TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
During the warranty coverage period, GMC provides alternate transportation and/or reimbursement of certain transportation expenses under the Courtesy Transportation Program if your vehicle requires warranty repairs. Several transportation options are available. Refer to your Owner’s Manual or consult your GMC dealer for more details.

ram1067 · September 27, 2021

Oooh hell no. They need and will provide you with a loaner!!! Ask to talk to the area rep! Also BS on parts they are now available. Had mine in 3days. Mine went in on Friday 11th and I had it back by the Wednesday 22ed. So don’t let them blow smoke up your A$$. Also they probably will try to only fix one side……demand that do all 16.

FYI the dealerships get reimbursed for all the work being done under warranty and also loaner vehicles my invoice was charged $180 for a loaner vehicle billed under warranty

Gerald Hunter · September 28, 2021

My 21 Silverado @ 8600 has bit the dust. Well I’ve been waiting 2 weeks so far and still waiting for lifters.

rwgamble · September 29, 2021

On 5/4/2021 at 8:45 AM, Vtecluder617 said:

Have been noticing a lot of buzz on the FB Trail Boss/AT4 groups about people having lifters failing. All really low mileage too. Has me a bit concerned about my purchase! I always heard the 5.3L was a "tried and true" motor for GM.

I know people tend to go online and complain when they have an issue, but damn. Been noticing a lot of the "failed lifters" posts lately, from different people, complete with audio of how the motors sounds. Are these motors just a ticking time bomb, waiting to ****** the bed? Even if just 25% of 5.3L owners experience this at some point, I would consider that too high. Thoughts?

My 2021 Silverado just went into the shop today - engine knocking and banging, oil pressure warning came on about 500 yards from the dealership. 7800 kms (that's under 5000 miles). The technician said he could hear the truck as I drove in and knew it was lifters and rods. Another truck ahead of me in for the same thing.

Gerald Hunter · September 30, 2021

Update just got my truck back. I went in today told them the other store had the lifters they called repaired same day. They only did the right side so hopefully I don’t have this issue anymore. I was at 8666 when it went in.

LiamX · November 28, 2021

2019 Silverado 1GCRYDED4KZ173537 January 2021 (85,297) – Lifters damaged, camshaft damaged. Metal in oil filter, metal in oil pan, #6 cam bearing damaged. May 2021 (96,850) – Replaced 8 lifters, found #3 intake push rod bent, replaced 8 lifters and other parts. September 2021 (109,993) – P300 misfire, misfire on cylinders 2 and 6, replaced 8 lifters, etc. etc. September dealer promised a ‘Reman’ engine (100K miles/ 3 year warranty) did NOT install a Reman engine.

Robert Slight · December 11, 2021

On 5/4/2021 at 8:27 AM, Robby James said:

No issues for me as of yet but only 6500 miles, I heard that they were running em at the dealership on high idle for x amount of time and then selling em if they passed the pre-run I think it was in here as a TSB?

Anyway with a 60k warranty I am not that worried for a long while.

Mine failed at 31,000 miles. This is the second Silverado I've owned with the exact same problem. It is in the shop right now.

Goliath626 · December 28, 2021

There was a part change made to the AFM lifters in March of 2021. However it has not resulted in fixing the issue. The internal lock springs that release the lifter are failing, and that is continuing. Having the dealership replace any, or all lifters now will not fix the issue. They are replacing faulty lifters with the exact same defective designed lifters. they WILL fail again. there is now a class action lawsuit over this issue. Also, GM in December issued a valve lifter service update for all trucks being shipped to dealers with 5.3 & 6.2L engines. and I quote "dealership technicians are instructed to replace both banks of cylinders in affected vehicles. These repairs must be performed upon arrival at the dealership and before the vehicles are sold to customers." As far as owners, I quote "Owners should: this service update is for dealerships only and only affects vehicles that are en route to or have already been delivered to GM dealerships. No action is required by owner" So they know they are bad, but don't care about existing owners apparently. Here's the link to the article on new vehicle replacements.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/12/gm-releases-valve-lifter-service-update-for-v8-engines/

Class action lawsuit article

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/12/general-motors-v8-engine-valve-lifter-lawsuit-claims-recall-is-needed/

Adamace1 · December 28, 2021

On 9/27/2021 at 3:48 PM, Steve-2019 said:

No, No No. Have them arrange for a rental vehicle for you.

They won't. I'm done with GM. They treat customers like crap. All 5 chevy dealerships near me proved it to me. My dealer made me pay for a F'ing uber to get a ride home. Gm didn't care, both dealer and GM said not our problem you need a ride and a rental when your 50k truck has lifter problem. They said because of the chip shortage no rentals available. They had 30 used cars on the lot. The CEO and company motto is to always put profits before customers, the shareholder always comes before the customers. It doesn't matter if we loose 1,000 of customers as long as we keep giving profits to our investors. After being a lifelong chevy customer I'm done. I should have never bought a truck that was made in Mexico with workers that make 3.00 bucks an hour and the ceo gets $25,000,000 a year. It's just wrong.

Edited December 28, 2021 by Adamace1

diyer2 · December 28, 2021

I agree Adam but it's the way of our world. Changing brands may not help.

CEO= Cash Eating Organism

JimCost2014 · December 29, 2021

1GCRYDED4KZ173537

Looks like they are all not "made" in Mexico. They don't build the engines on the assembly line, they just put them in the truck.

Adamace1 · December 30, 2021

On 12/28/2021 at 8:19 AM, diyer2 said:

I agree Adam but it's the way of our world. Changing brands may not help.

CEO= Cash Eating Organism

Yea. I bought 7 brand new chevys. So I did my part. My Silverado was made in Mexico. I'm going to try a Tundra now. 2021 made in Texas, designed in michigan. My last Toyota had only $100 in repairs in 120,000 miles. I'm hoping for the same.

And yea I understand the engine was not made in Mexico, im just saying it's wrong to lay off American workers making 25 bucks an hour with good benefits. Then turn around and start building trucks in mexico for 3.00 bucks an hour. And just keep the profits and give them to the rich investors and ceo's and higher up bonuses. Maybe they should have used the extra money on fixing the 8 speed trans and lifters.

Edited December 30, 2021 by Adamace1