Silverado engine defects class action: What owners need to know

Last updated on March 3rd, 2026

Australians swayed by the promise of a dependable ute built to handle tough conditions could now be part of a Silverado engine defects class action after General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has recalled more than 9400 affected Silverado vehicles in Australia due to engine defects – many of which have already experienced a variety of issues, including sudden, catastrophic engine failures.

Across the country, owners of Silverado 1500s equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 petrol engine have been left stranded on highways, without work vehicles and increasingly frustrated about what to do next. The problems have prompted GMSV to recall more than 9,400 affected Silverado 1500 vehicles sold in Australia, and more than 720,00 vehicles sold worldwide. The recall notice issued in Australia is very serious and says that the engine failures could lead to “serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users”.

An official Silverado engine defects class action is underway to determine whether GMSV, and its parent company General Motors, sold vehicles with known engine defects and whether affected owners should be compensated and offered better protection.

If you own, lease, or previously owned or leased a Silverado 1500 equipped with an L87 6.2L V8 petrol engine, here is what you need to know.

 

 

What is happening with Silverado engines?

Marketed as powerful and reliable, the L87 6.2L V8 petrol engine in the latest generation Silverado 1500 is proving anything but for many owners not just in Australia, but in the United States and other countries.

Reports suggest serious problems with internal components such as engine bearings, crankshafts and connecting rods. When these fail, the engine can:

• • Seize suddenly
  • Lose power without warning
  • Emit knocking or banging noises
  • Send metal fragments through the engine
  • Stall at speed

In many cases, the engine needs to be replaced, with some owners reporting that replacement engines have failed again shortly after being installed.

“After waiting almost three months, I picked up the Chevrolet Silverado on Friday, thinking the repairs were finally complete,” one member of a Silverado Facebook group wrote.

“But just 27km into my drive home, the new engine completely failed. Today, I was informed the brand new engine has seized – making this the second engine to seize. The first failure was in July 2024.”

The defect is so widespread that the American vehicle safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, opened a formal investigation in January 2025. GMSV confirmed a global recall in May 2025, affecting more than 720,000 vehicles worldwide, and more than 9,400 Silverado 1500s in Australia.

For owners who have experienced breakdowns, lengthy delays in repairs, or are still waiting for answers, a class action may be their best option for recompense.

 

 

What is the Silverado engine defects class action about?

CASL is funding a class action to seek real compensation and extended protection for affected Silverado owners. JWS are the lawyers running the class action.

The class action will examine whether GMSV:

• • Knew, or should have known, about the engine defects
  • Failed to disclose material information to customers
  • Failed to provide adequate remedies
  • Exposed owners to serious safety risks
  • Left owners out of pocket and without a working vehicle

The class action seeks redress for affected Silverado owners. This will include compensation for any decrease in value in their vehicle and protection through extended engine warranty and free engine replacement.

You do not need to have experienced any engine issues to register your interest for the class action. You are eligible to register your interest if:

• • You own or previously owned a Silverado 1500 fitted with the L87 6.2L V8 petrol engine
  • You purchased or leased the vehicle in Australia (new or used)
  • You sold your Silverado because of engine problems
  • You are unsure if your Silverado is part of the recall

 

 

Why is the Silverado engine defects class action necessary?

Many people assume that if a vehicle is recalled, their problems will be fixed and they will soon be back behind the wheel. Unfortunately, recalls take a long time to work through and even then, repairs do not always provide a permanent fix. Recalls also rarely compensate owners for the disruption caused.

Even if your vehicle is repaired, it doesn’t make up for the fact you have been without a car for weeks, or even months. Then there are expenses such as lost business, as well as the reduction in the value of your car.

Factor in the stress and any danger you or your loved ones might have faced and suddenly a recall does not seem that effective. This is why this class action is necessary – it’s about accountability, not just repairs.

The Silverado engine defects class action will seek compensation for any decrease in the value of the vehicle, and will also seek protection through extended engine warranty and free engine replacement.

How you can get involved

Even if your Silverado has not yet shown any signs of engine failure, registering your interest for the Silverado engine defects class action is free and will only take a few minutes. By registering your interest, you will be helping to strengthen the case, protect yourself and other Australian consumers and send a message to manufacturers and suppliers that dangerous defects must be taken seriously.

If you are unsure if you qualify, registering your interest will enable the legal team to assess your situation.

Register your interest through the Silverado Engine Defects Class Action page. If you know someone who owns leases or has previously owned or leased a Silverado 1500 fitted with the L87 6.2L V8 petrol engine, sharing this article may help them to avoid further stress or financial loss.

Taking action is also empowering. This is not just about engine defects; it’s about fairness, safety and ensuring Australian consumers are treated with respect.

 

Handle My Complaint is publishing this information under a commercial partnership with Johnson Winter Slattery, the lawyers for the lead applicant in the class action, the costs of which will be reimbursed by CASL, the funder of the class action.