Corvette Z06 Engine Failure Lawsuit Dismissed
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A class-action lawsuit that was filed against General Motors over claims the 7.0L LS7 V8 engine in certain C6 Corvette Z06 is defective has been dismissed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
According to Car Complaints, the plaintiffs that filed this suit claim there is an improper clearance level in the valve guides in the 7.0L LS7 V8 engine. This, according to the plaintiffs, is evidenced by the alleged fact that GM developed a test for technicians to determine if there were valve guide problems in affected engines and abandoned the test procedure once it realized the test may result in a product recall. These plaintiffs also say GM has told them that excessive valvetrain noise in the 7.0L LS7 V8 is normal.
This suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, was previously dismissed, however seventeen of the plaintiffs then filed a motion to appeal that was sent to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit dismissed the suit this week, saying the plaintiffs “have failed to produce admissible evidence that their vehicles actually contained the alleged valve guide defects.” The only evidence of the engine defects provided to the court were “expert declarations,” that were determined to be not admissible in court.
The 7.0L LS7 V8 engine is the only engine offered in the C6 Corvette Z06, which was produced between the 2006 and 2013 model years, and is good for an impressive 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. This engine was also used in the fifth-generation Chevy Camaro Z/28 and produced the same output in the limited-run sports coupe as it did in the Corvette Z06. The engine remains available to order through Chevrolet Performance as a crate engine today.
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The plaintiffs claims were unfouunded. I’m satisfied with the court’s dismissal. GM engineering determines product design quality…not the consumer’s misperception.
Same 9th circuit court that sides against the 2nd amendment almost every time.
Beautiful vehicle powered by an outstanding engineered powerplant. Owner for six enjoyable years.
Outstanding until it grenades.
In other words, you’ve never run it to redline repeatedly for a 30 minutes track session during your doc years of ownership
Taking this case to the 9th circuit in California was your first and fatal mistake.
Good luck with your eurotrash.
Had mine for 10 years and not a problem.
My 2009 Z06 had developed a “tick” in the top passenger side of its LS7 by 23K miles….Happily sold it @ that point in time
Gosh, didn’t the lawyers realize this?
I work on GM engines exclusively we’ve only ever had 1 person out of 2800 LS7 corvette services ever recorded at my business ever query this valve train clearance issue. There was no such issue with his complaint and a rebuild was required due to other issue with aftermarket modifications
I am a GM Master Technician 18 years, the last 12 exclusively Chevrolet. I have never seen this issue with an LS7 Engine. I don’t doubt that it may exist. But, it is not a widespread problem.
Actually it’s a problem bro… the valve guides are powdered metal… on top of being nonconcentric
The third issue the rocker geometry allows the valve to be side loaded … then boom goes the sodium filled intake valve. Hopefully your smart enough to figure out the rest . I have had over 30 of these cars since 2006 . Everyone in Gm knows this . 18 months or years?
18 yrs GM, wiseass. And 40 as an ASE Mastertech. I was sharing my personal experience. No need to get your panties in a bunch.
Slow down buddy no reason to use profanity it look like I touched a nerve… no need to get your thongs in
A twist …95% of the people on here know it’s a problem… if it wasn’t there wouldn’t have been thousands of sets of bad ls7 heads exchanged to WCC. That’s just one supplier . If my math is right your going on 58 years as a mechanic when did you start? Maybe you just forget you saw the issue in the past … I’m getting older too so it’s tough to remember thing
These cars also burn oil. Was told by dealership mechanics it’s normal. Sold mine..uncomfortable pile
I was a GM tech between 2006-2013 and not only was it happening but it was happening so often that GM would NOT replace your engine if it happened more than once. I was ready to buy a used Z06 from another GM dealer in 2011 but it already had an engine replaced in it’s warranty history and sure enough, the dealer refused to warranty the engine if it dropped a valve a 2nd time. My 20+ years of working at GM has shown me it’s ALWAYS worse than the public knows, not better.
GM has had the same problems occur on several different engines. No surprise it would show up in one of their high performance engines. This same problems goes back to the 90s
This issue us overstated. I did my my 2012 Z06’s heads replaced when I pit in a hotter cam. No evidence of value issue. Really overstated by uninformed loud mouths.
I have an early 2006 Z06 with 55,000 miles that is winter garaged in MI and oil changed each Spring. Only engine issue was a weepy oilpan gasket at 35,000 mi, repaired on extended warrantee for $100(would have cost ($1200 w/o warrantee). Runs great. Only design issue is rear mounted battery can’t be removed w/o trim dissasembly-at 6yrs
If the stock heads and valves are so wonderful, why did you replace them?
Actually you can get the heads redone at a quality machine shop, and labor for about $2600. Once you do the LS7 heads, it was the Sodium filled exhaust valves that would break. Once the heads are done the LS7 is bullet proof.
This is a real problem, had ticking noise ( stock engine 30k miles)took to dealer and LS performance shop . Almost had a chimney in my engine. Enough on web to prove the value drop is real.
There’s enough evidence of that on YouTube. Was looking for one until I did a little research.
Pffft. Never thought I’d say that at least Ford is getting it right. Owner of a Silverado and LS1 Vette (love them). Will not ever buy another GM Vehicle. Pretty lame- just like this publication. Hello outgoing Toyota Tundra. My, you have such impeccable build quality and renowned, world-class resale value.
Ford is getting it right?? The F150 TURBOS both of them give up with less then 100,000 miles on them, there was the issue with the focus RS a $40,000 dollar plus car a few years ago that needed major head gasket replacement. Ford is junk they won’t honor the blowing turbos but GM will honor the lifter issues and bolt battery’s. Toyota Tundra is a great truck but that exterior design…. 🤮 It’s like they didn’t even try the Tundra is a mish mash of angels and swoops like a Tonka truck mated with a Yaris! Also people buy their trucks and keep them a long time so why would you buy a reliable Toyota just for it’s resale value there are many older Ford’s, Chevy’s, and RAM’S on the road.
Most likely operator abuse . Caused by engine over speed .
Lot of passion on this issue. As a corvette owner & racer I understand both sides of this issue and you can freely express your opinion. But please try to respect one another. We have enough division to deal with elsewhere.
These cars are 9-16 years old, the manufacturer isn’t responsible forever. That and I believe the guide issue was corrected in the later years. I would lean towards 75% of the current owners bought them out of the warranty period, and 95% aren’t the original owner.
William Hughes notice how how operater abuse is not in this article and you know damm well that most not all Z06 Corvettes are raced on weekends. Besides this is a sports car that’s made to go fast it’s not made to last like a Camry or Malibu. When are people going to face facts that cars are machines every manufacturer has problems cars are not perfect just like people.
Pretty sure if you don’t bounce it off the redline the engine will last just fine…. oddly enough before reading the article I thought it was in reference to the c7z06 and the overheating issue they have and it being sold as a track ready vehicle
If there’s a class action lawsuit on an automobile, you know it was filed in California. Between those, the strict lemon laws, and the various CARB mandates over the years to sell cars, I don’t see how manufacturers make money. Even if it’s a huge market.
My personal Z06 has dropped a valve due to this issue and I’ve personally removed the sleeves and repaired 3 different ls7 blocks for other people that were damaged from a dropped valve. This issue is real, what it appears is the plaintiffs on the case didn’t appear to provide any direct financial hardship linking themselves to the issue. Meaning they probably all preemptively changed their heads, which is not on GM. The legal team should have been better prepared.
I can provide any info they need. I was surely financially impacted by a known faulty engine. What’s more ridiculous is the people who haven’t been impacted chiming in like it’s all make believe.