NHTSA Complaint #11718877 — 2014 GMC SIERRA 1500

The vehicle experienced complete lifter failure on cylinder number 4 bending the intake valve push rod thus shutting down the cylinder. The vehicle has 167,000 miles and is well maintained. The vehicle gave no warning signs that there was a problem. Simply driving down the road, normal engine temperature, normal oil pressure, the check engine light comes on at the same time the engine begins to mis-fire. Pulling over to the side of the road, I could hear lifter noise from the right bank of the engine. The dealership (Ocean Crest Chevrolet/GMC Warrenton, Oregon) confirmed the damage. The mechanic and the service manager both state the damage is a direct result of the GM cylinder deactivation system, and every single one they have repaired has been cylinder number 4. They further stated that GM has recommended a lifter change when repairing the damage, in other words, the lifters that were installed when the engine was originally built are defective. This damage occurs on both the 5.3 and the 6.2 with cylinder deactivation, and according to the dealership, it begins with cylinder number 4. This problem has also been responsible for cam damage which results in total engine replacement/rebuild due to metal contaminating the oil.