Navigating California Lemon Law Claims: Defective Engine Lifters in 2021 Chevrolet Silverados and 2021 GMC Sierra

When you invest in an expensive new vehicle, especially a supposedly reliable model like the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado and 2021 GMC Sierra, you expect top-notch performance and durability. However, some owners have encountered an unexpected issue with defective engine lifters, prompting concerns about the effectiveness of their vehicle and raising questions about their rights under lemon laws. Valero Law, APC has written about these engine lifter failures back in 2021 (when the defect originally occurred!) and also in 2023 here. Given that some of these trucks are going to hit 60,000 miles soon (when the powertrain warranty for Chevrolet vehicles lapses), it’s important to know your potential lemon law rights in California. Manufacturers generally cover the lifters under the drivetrain warranty, but you have to show them proof for all the manufacturer's suggested maintenance. If you missed services they may decline warranty repair and have you pay out of pocket.

Understanding Engine Lifters and Their Role

Engine lifters are crucial components of your vehicle’s engine. They play a significant role in the operation of the valvetrain, which regulates the timing of the engine's intake and exhaust valves. Essentially, lifters ensure smooth and efficient engine performance by maintaining proper valve movement.

A defect in the engine lifters can lead to various problems, including rough idling, engine noise, reduced power, and even potential engine damage if left unaddressed. For a truck like the 2021 Silverado, which is known for its robust performance, any issue with these components can be particularly distressing.

Common Symptoms of Defective Engine Lifters

If your 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is experiencing issues with its engine lifters, you might notice several symptoms:

  • Unusual Engine Noise: A ticking or clattering sound from the engine could be a sign of faulty lifters.

  • Rough Idling: The engine may run unevenly or shake when idling.

  • Reduced Power: You might experience a noticeable decrease in engine performance and acceleration.

  • Warning Lights: Check engine lights or other warning indicators may illuminate on your dashboard.

  • Diagnostic Trouble Codes: When a car has an issue, the computer in it will ‘announce’ certain codes to the technician to let them know what component is failing. With engine lifter failure, typically, DTC P0300, DTC P0307 and P0500 will be stored in the ECM and TSB 5836231 will be applied to repair the problem.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it's essential to have your vehicle inspected by a Chevrolet dealership to diagnose the problem accurately (if you’re in the warranty period. If you’re not, they may charge a diagnostic fee and charge you out of pocket as well).

Lemon Law Basics: What You Need to Know

Lemon laws are designed to protect consumers who purchase defective vehicles. In California, the Song-Beverly Act offers recourse for consumers who purchase new vehicles that have significant defects affecting their use, value, or safety (and sometimes even used vehicles, too).

To qualify for protection under lemon laws, your vehicle typically needs to meet the following criteria:

  1. Significant Defect: The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Defective engine lifters often fall into this category due to their critical role in engine function.

  2. Reasonable Repair Attempts: You must allow the manufacturer or dealer a reasonable number of attempts to fix the defect. In California, that typically means at least two repairs or a certain number of days out of service.

  3. Warranty Coverage: The defect must occur within the warranty period. For a 2021 Silverado, this would be within the manufacturer’s warranty period, which is typically around three years or 36,000 miles OR five years / 60,000 miles for the powertrain warranty.

Steps to Take if You Suspect a Lemon

  1. Document the Issues: Keep detailed records of the symptoms, repair attempts, and communications with the dealership. This documentation is crucial for your lemon law claim.

  2. Contact the Dealer: Report the defect to your dealership and request a repair. Be sure to get written confirmation of the repair attempts.

  3. Consult a Lemon Law Attorney: Navigating lemon law claims can be complex. A specialized attorney, like Valero Law, APC, can help you understand your rights, gather necessary documentation, and pursue a claim effectively. Joshua Valero has litigated California Lemon Law cases for more than a decade with an extremely high success rate.

Conclusion

Experiencing engine lifter issues in your 2021 Chevrolet Silverado can be frustrating and concerning. Understanding your rights under lemon laws can help you take the necessary steps to address the problem and seek a fair resolution. By documenting the issue, following proper procedures, and consulting with Valero Law, APC you can better navigate the process and ensure that your vehicle lives up to the reliability you expect.

If you’re in California and you own a General Motors vehicle with engine lifter issues, powertrain issues, or drivability concerns, we can definitely try to help you! Fill out the form below and our office will get back to immediately.