The Lemon Index
The 5.3 L V8, direct injection in the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL, model years 2014–2025. Owners filed 13,191 complaints about cars with it (matched by VIN); 18% name the engine, #22 of the 39 everyday engines we track (1 = the most).
Known issues, checked against owner complaints
Problems owners of cars with this engine name much more often than owners of the other 38 everyday engines we track (at least 1.5× the median, and 10+ complaints):
- Lifter failure and ticking. 790 of 13,191 owner complaints (6.0%) mention a lifter, rocker or ticking, against a median of 0.3% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
Vehicle suffered a premature catastrophic failure of the Dynamic Fuel Management, lifter and camshaft assembly at 80k miles
2019 owner · NHTSA complaint 11776119 - Cylinder deactivation (AFM / DFM). 170 of 13,191 owner complaints (1.3%) mention cylinder deactivation (AFM / DFM / VCM / MDS), against a median of under 0.1% for the other 38 everyday engines we track.
Vehicle suffered a premature catastrophic failure of the Dynamic Fuel Management, lifter and camshaft assembly at 80k miles
2019 owner · NHTSA complaint 11776119
Also often talked about, but not standing out in complaints to NHTSA: oil consumption (65 of 13,191, 0.5%, peers 0.5%). That doesn't mean it never happens, only that owners rarely file it with the government.
What YouTube owners say Tone 0-100, higher = more praise than trouble.
Average owner tone 40/100 across 12 model years, from 121 videos about this engine and its cars (#145 of 165 engines with a YouTube study).
Most-watched videos
- Chevy Silverado 5.3L OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT 4.8 6.0 sierra yukon sending unit p0523 gauge 1,324,511 views
- Collapsed Lifter 5.3 DOD / AFM Silverado & Sierra Replacement, Install, Symptoms, Diagnosing, Noise 1,251,578 views
- Silverado Sierra 5.3 Lifter Noise Tick - How To Fix With A Motor Flush 1,071,816 views
Counted from video titles and captions: praise words against trouble words, weighted by views. Videos only count when the title names this engine or a car that had only this engine in those years.
Cars with this engine Tap a year for that car's full report.
- Chevrolet Silverado201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- GMC Sierra201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Chevrolet Suburban20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- Chevrolet Tahoe20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- GMC Yukon20152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
- GMC Yukon XL201520162017
Model years from NHTSA VIN decoding of owner complaints. Only years we have a car page for.
Owner complaints by model year
Counts of complaints filed so far. Older cars have had longer to collect them, and popular cars draw more because more were sold: no one reports sales by engine, so there's no per-car rate. Compare the shares below instead.
By car
| Car | Model years matched | Complaints | Name the engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado | 2014–25 | 5,754 | 19% |
| GMC Sierra | 2014–25 | 2,879 | 16% |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2015–25 | 1,849 | 17% |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 2015–25 | 1,211 | 20% |
| GMC Yukon | 2015–25 | 900 | 14% |
| GMC Yukon XL | 2015–24 | 598 | 16% |
“Name the engine” = the share of that car's VIN-matched complaints that list the engine as a problem area.
What owners complain about
Share of this engine's complaints that name each area (one complaint can name several).
What owners write
| Complaints that | Count | Share | Median, other everyday engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Say the engine stalled, shut off or lost power | 1,696 | 13% | 14% |
| Mention a lifter, rocker or ticking | 790 | 6.0% | 0.3% |
| Say the engine knocked, seized or failed | 502 | 3.8% | 2.7% |
| Mention fire, flames or smoke | 418 | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Mention a misfire | 254 | 1.9% | 0.6% |
| Mention cylinder deactivation (AFM / DFM / VCM / MDS) | 170 | 1.3% | under 0.1% |
| Mention coolant loss or overheating | 165 | 1.3% | 1.2% |
| Mention the oil filter housing or oil cooler | 92 | 0.7% | under 0.1% |
| Mention burning or losing oil | 65 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Mention a spark plug | 64 | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Counted from the owner's own words in each complaint (all of the car, not only the engine). A share, not a failure rate.
When problems show up
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 22,925 and 78,000 miles; the middle report was at 50,960 miles (6,453 complaints with a mileage).
Recalls that name this engine 3
20V603000 Oct 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Silverado 2018; Sierra 2018; Tahoe 2018; Yukon 2018; Escalade 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
19V761000 Oct 2019 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Silverado 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018; Sierra 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018; Tahoe 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Suburban 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Yukon 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
14V007000 Jan 2014 Engine And Engine Cooling Sierra 2014; Yukon 2015
General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
Fix. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
NHTSA recalls on these cars and model years whose text names this engine (its size or name). The rest (brakes, air bags, wiring ...) are on each car year's page.
In owners' words
While attempting to accelerated I received a service ESC message, accompanied by Brake system failure top speed 43 mph message. This was accompanied by an inability to slow the vehicle down, illuminating my check engine light and ABS service light.
2019 owner · NHTSA complaint 11777166
My 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L experienced a sudden non-start/stalling failure due to the Fuel Pump Power Control Module (confirmed by diagnostictest), matching Recall N262558690-01, but my VIN was excluded, as said by GM Corporate and local dealerships.
2022 owner · NHTSA complaint 11777031
Transmission slips out of gear while accelerating. Was almost hit by semi due to sudden loss of acceleration. No warning lamps came on, or codes were presented. Dealer says transmission must be replaced.
2016 owner · NHTSA complaint 11776641
Against the other everyday engines
| Engine | Years | Complaints | Name the engine | Stalled or lost power | Burning oil | Recalls naming it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 EcoBoost | 2014–25 | 5,622 | 66% | 15% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6.2 V8 (Gen V) | 2014–25 | 7,219 | 65% | 24% | 2.2% | 2 |
| 2.4 Theta II | 2010–22 | 21,551 | 51% | 20% | 8.1% | 8 |
| 2.4 Ecotec | 2010–17 | 6,096 | 51% | 21% | 18% | 0 |
| 3.0 EcoDiesel | 2014–23 | 2,871 | 50% | 24% | 0.2% | 7 |
| 3.3 Lambda II | 2013–21 | 3,254 | 50% | 17% | 5.9% | 2 |
| 2.0 EcoBoost | 2012–25 | 9,735 | 48% | 12% | 0.1% | 0 |
| 2.0T Theta II | 2011–22 | 3,325 | 44% | 18% | 4.8% | 2 |
| 1.4 Turbo | 2011–22 | 3,926 | 39% | 17% | 0.9% | 2 |
| 2.4 Tigershark | 2014–22 | 9,631 | 35% | 34% | 4.5% | 5 |
| 1.5 Turbo | 2016–25 | 4,471 | 33% | 27% | 0.3% | 1 |
| EA888 2.0T | 2009–25 | 7,443 | 29% | 16% | 3.7% | 5 |
| A25A | 2018–25 | 2,979 | 26% | 12% | under 0.1% | 1 |
| 1.5 Turbo | 2017–22 | 6,390 | 26% | 14% | 0.2% | 0 |
| J35 V6 | 2003–25 | 24,038 | 24% | 14% | 0.9% | 4 |
| Skyactiv-G 2.5 | 2014–25 | 2,631 | 22% | 11% | 2.7% | 1 |
| 2.7 Turbo | 2019–25 | 1,090 | 22% | 12% | 0.5% | 0 |
| 2AZ-FE | 2001–09 | 7,176 | 22% | 3.7% | 8.6% | 0 |
| 5.4 Triton | 2005–14 | 3,952 | 21% | 15% | 0.1% | 3 |
| 5.7 HEMI | 2003–24 | 23,895 | 19% | 23% | 0.1% | 6 |
| QR25DE | 2002–20 | 16,161 | 19% | 14% | 1.5% | 4 |
| 5.3 V8 (Gen V) | 2014–25 | 13,191 | 18% | 13% | 0.5% | 3 |
| 3.6 Pentastar | 2011–25 | 34,634 | 18% | 16% | 0.4% | 9 |
| 2.3 EcoBoost | 2015–25 | 3,975 | 16% | 9.9% | 0.1% | 12 |
| 3.8 Lambda II | 2020–25 | 4,423 | 16% | 8.0% | 5.6% | 0 |
| FB20 | 2012–25 | 2,336 | 15% | 8.2% | 1.7% | 0 |
| 3.6 V6 | 2009–23 | 14,214 | 14% | 14% | 0.1% | 1 |
| K24 | 2002–19 | 15,062 | 14% | 5.1% | 1.6% | 0 |
| 2GR-FKS | 2016–24 | 3,758 | 12% | 11% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 3.5 Cyclone V6 | 2007–19 | 21,313 | 12% | 11% | 0.1% | 0 |
| VQ35 V6 | 2002–25 | 12,613 | 12% | 11% | 0.2% | 1 |
| 3UR-FE | 2007–21 | 1,377 | 12% | 8.8% | 0.4% | 0 |
| FB25 | 2011–25 | 9,853 | 11% | 6.2% | 1.5% | 0 |
| 2AR-FE | 2009–18 | 4,673 | 11% | 6.6% | 1.3% | 1 |
| 2GR-FE | 2005–18 | 8,680 | 10% | 3.5% | 0.3% | 0 |
| 3.8 V6 | 2007–11 | 7,877 | 9% | 17% | 0.5% | 0 |
| 5.3 V8 (Gen IV) | 2007–14 | 9,241 | 8% | 4.5% | 1.3% | 0 |
| 1GR-FE | 2003–24 | 5,757 | 7% | 4.0% | under 0.1% | 0 |
| 4.8 V8 | 2007–13 | 726 | 6% | 4.8% | 0.1% | 0 |
Shares of each engine's own complaints, matched by VIN. They show what owners complain about, not how often engines break.
Quick answers
Is the GM 5.3 V8 (L83 / L84) reliable?
No one reports sales by engine, so there's no per-car score. Of the 13,191 complaints owners filed about cars with it, 18% name the engine, #22 of the 39 everyday engines we track (1 = the most). 790 (6.0%) mention a lifter, rocker or ticking, against 0.3% for the other engines. 170 (1.3%) mention cylinder deactivation (AFM / DFM / VCM / MDS), against under 0.1% for the other engines.
What cars have the GM 5.3 V8 (L83 / L84)?
In our data: the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL, model years 2014–2025, matched by the VIN in each owner complaint.
What are the most common 5.3 V8 (Gen V) problems?
In owner complaints to the government: brakes, transmission & drivetrain, engine.
How many recalls name the 5.3 V8 (Gen V)?
3 NHTSA recalls on these cars name it.
Complaints: NHTSA owner complaints filed under each car's own NHTSA names (the same ones its car pages count), all years filed, one per complaint number. Engine: decoded from the complaint's VIN with NHTSA's vPIC decoder (displacement, cylinders, engine model, turbo, hybrid) and the engine maker's model years; a VIN that doesn't decode to exactly one engine is left out. Older cars have had more years to collect complaints, and popular cars draw more because more were sold. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (FLAT_CMPL + COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED_2025-2026), received through 20261111; engines: NHTSA vPIC VIN decoder (batch); NHTSA recalls API. Engine names and model years: GM.