Which GM 5.3 Vortec Years Have The Most Issues?
With the launch of Chevy's small-block V8 in 1955, General Motors introduced an engine family that would make its way into millions of vehicles across the world. It was especially known as a mainstay of the muscle cars, powering iconic examples of the Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, El Camino, and more. But certain engines would also make some pretty big headaches for the general, leading to a class-action lawsuit and millions of dollars in fines.
Yes, I'm talking about GM's 5.3-liter Vortec V8, an evolution of those classic Chevrolet mills that added a then-new "vortex technology" in the mid-1990s. The idea was to better mix air and fuel in the cylinder heads; the result was a smooth and powerful engine that went a long way toward civilizing old-school trucks and SUVs to appeal to more drivers. It was after GM went on to further refine the motor for its all-new 2006 trucks and SUVs -- such as the Chevrolet Silverado/Tahoe and GMC Sierra/Yukon -- that the trouble started.
Read more: These V6 Engines Put The LS1 V8 To Shame
It may be hard to believe now, but there was a time when most people in this country drove actual cars: sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, station wagons, roadsters, etc., etc. But SUVs started outselling cars in 2015, and in 2020, more people bought pickups than non-luxury cars for the first time ever in the United States. One key to this trend: Trucks and SUVs have been increasingly tuned for a more comfortable, car-like driving experience that includes at least an effort at responsible efficiency.
In 2006, that meant adding active fuel management (AFM) to the 5.3-liter Vortec V8. Also known as cylinder deactivation, AFM basically shuts off the fuel to four of the engine's eight cylinders in certain situations to help save gas. It ended up costing GM some big money though.
More specifically, according to a class-action suit finally settled in 2022, the 5.3-liter LC9 Vortec V8 has a combination of issues, including defective piston rings and faults with the AFM system, that cause excessive oil consumption and major engine problems. (GM's guilt came from knowing about the problems yet still selling the engines.) The vehicles affected included many Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs from 2010 to 2014, and the penalties inflicted included a $102-million cash settlement.
The lawsuit over the 5.3-liter Vortec V8 was limited to engines from 2010 to 2014, with that last year marking the introduction of the Vortec's replacement, the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8. And note that it wasn't just full-size trucks and SUVs that carried the engine in question. The vehicles mentioned in the lawsuit include a muscled-up version of GM's midsize pickups as well as its full-size vans from the era:
2010-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche
2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado
2010-2013 Chevrolet Express
2010-2014 Chevrolet Suburban
2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
2010-2013 GMC Canyon
2010-2013 GMC Savana
2010-2013 GMC Sierra
2010-2014 GMC Yukon
2010-2014 GMC Yukon XL
Remember, too, that those aren't the only vehicles with the problematic motor. The 5.3-liter power plant in question was introduced in 2006, not in 2010, and that's four more model years' worth of engines to worry about. With that in mind, your best bet is to check beneath the hood before you buy, and know there's a good chance that any of the vehicles with GM's 5.3-liter Vortec V8 with AFM are from a bad year.
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