GM’s L87 internal code for its 6.2-liter V8 engine is starting to look like a score, not a name. No, the number of lawsuits on the recalled engine isn’t up to 87 just yet. But the number is growing.

The latest against the engine, which is found in models like the 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado, is about the proposed remedies as directed by the recall. The suit alleges that GM’s fixes are “woefully inadequate” and “do nothing” to address the cause of the failures.

Big Problems With a Big Number Of Engines Mean Big Headaches

When GM announced the recall of 877,710 copies of the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine, it came with multiple solutions. Depending on the state of the current engine, some owners would get a new engine, and others would be told to use a different motor oil. 0W-40 instead of 0W-20 was the new recommendation, and there would be a new filter and oil fill cap.

This suit, filed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, alleges that GM knew about the faulty engines from the start, rather than becoming aware of a problem later on through in-service failures. The plaintiffs claim that the rod bearings are prone to failure and that when they do, the engine seizes. It claims that the plaintiff, class members, and others “may be in constant risk of harm while operating or while a passenger in a Class Vehicle.”

In the suit, the plaintiffs claim that “inserting a higher viscosity oil does nothing to remedy the out-of-specification crankshaft dimensions and surface finish.” Those are the issued reasons to blame for the failures of the engines. Also, “GM has announced that in the very few cases where the engine of a Class Vehicle will be replaced, GM will simply replace the defective L87 Engine with the same type of defective engine, an L87 Engine. This is by no means an actual remedy to a serious and potential deadly engine defect affecting hundreds of thousands of consumers.”

Related

GM’s Problematic V8 Engine Is Causing A Lot Of Headaches

There’s a remedy for now though it’s not as concrete as one would expect.

The plaintiffs in the suit are seeking damages to cover loss of use of the vehicle as well as diminished value. This includes asking for treble damages under a Wisconsin statute for “knowing and intentional violations of the Wisconsin DTPA.” The suit is also looking for “adequate repair or replacement” of the engines that GM can’t build enough of to meet replacement needs.

Recall And Fix Have Already Spawned Multiple Suits

GM’s recall fix has already spawned two major class action suits. The first, filed in May, claimed that using the thicker 0W-40 oil would negatively impact fuel economy. McNamara et. al. v. General Motors, filed in Pennsylvania, claimed that owners could spend thousands more on fuel because of the friction of the thicker oil. The second, initiated by Robert Houchin in Nevada, alleged that the replacement engines had the same initial defect and were likely to fail again.

According to the initial recall, GM investigated 28,102 incidents that were potentially related to engine failures. It also found that there were “12 potentially related alleged crashes and 12 potentially related alleged injuries in the US,” and 42 potentially related allegations of fire.

Related

Teardown Shows What It Looks Like When GM’s Recalled 6.2L V8 Destroys Itself

GM has already issued a recall, but that doesn’t stop the L87 V8 engine issue from being a nasty problem.

We’ve reached out to GM for comment, though automakers do not typically respond regarding ongoing litigation.

Source: Courtlistener.com