GM 3.0L Duramax Diesel Engine Problems: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Failures

Class Action Investigation

Updated on January 21st, 2026 Author: Sergei Lemberg

Lemberg Law is conducting a class action investigation into crankshaft thrust bearing failures in GM’s 3.0-liter Duramax diesel (RPO LZ0) engines after a growing number of owners reported sudden engine damage, low oil pressure warnings, and total power loss in nearly new vehicles.

I’m Sergei Lemberg, and for more than two decades my work has focused on identifying patterns in consumer defect complaints before manufacturers publicly acknowledge systemic problems. Individual failures happen in every product line. But when the same component fails in similar ways across multiple vehicles, that repetition becomes evidence worth examining.

That is exactly what brought my team to the LZ0 Duramax.

Let’s dive in.

What’s the Problem with GM’s 3.0L Duramax Diesel?

The crankshaft thrust bearing is a small but essential engine component. Its job is to control the forward and backward movement of the crankshaft inside the engine block. When that bearing begins to wear prematurely, the crankshaft can shift out of position, disrupting oil pressure and placing abnormal stress on internal engine parts. Over time, and sometimes very quickly, that stress can lead to severe internal damage.

Based on consumer complaints and service diagnoses, owners commonly report:

• Rattling or knocking noises near the bellhousing area
• Sudden drops or fluctuations in oil pressure
• Reduced engine power or drive with care warnings
• Rough idle or vibration
• Warning lights appearing without clear explanation
• Complete internal engine failure requiring replacement

Which Vehicles Are Involved

Based on owner reports and technical bulletins, the concerns center on GM vehicles equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine identified by engine code RPO LZ0. The models most frequently referenced include:

• 2025–2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2025–2026 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2025–2026 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2025–2026 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2025–2026 GMC Yukon

Not every vehicle with this engine will experience a failure. However, the pattern of early thrust bearing wear and related engine damage appears concentrated within this specific engine platform and production window.

Whare are Owners Experiencing?

Here are three representative complaint excerpts from owners experiencing thrust bearing-related failures:

“2026 Sierra 1500 AT4 with 3.0L Duramax Diesel…. 2960 miles, thrust bearing failure caused low oil pressure and internal damage. Vehicle needs complete engine replacement.”

“The thrust bearing of 3.0l diesel engine is out of spec engine knocking there was no check engine lights on. The safety of this problem is I was at the cancer facility with my other half while she was getting chemotherapy when this started so I left her there went home and got are other vehicle”

“With approximately 5,200 miles on my new vehicle, received an error message on the dash while driving on 1/8/2026 that read ‘Reduced acceleration; Drive with care.’ I immediately took the vehicle to a local GM dealership and was informed on 1/9/2026 that due to a faulty thrust bearing (covered under the non-mandatory technical service bulletin 25-NA-307), the entire engine sustained a catastrophic failure and that the engine ‘tanked itself’ and ‘grenaded itself.’ Driving with the reduced acceleration mode active is beyond frightening as it’s very difficult to navigate traffic intersections in time to avoid oncoming traffic. It was also noted that it other cases where this faulty part causes the engine to totally fail, the vehicle becomes unusable at that point. I was informed that a replacement motor is not expected from General Motors for at least 2-3 months as this is becoming a more prevalent issue with certain 2025 Sierra’s with the 3.0 Duramax diesel motor.”

GM’s Technical Service Bulletin for 3.0L Engine

TSB 25-NA-307 specifically instructs dealers to:

• Investigate bellhousing-area noise
• Address P06DD oil pressure codes
• Measure crankshaft end play
• Inspect and repair thrust bearing damage

Technical Service Bulletins are not recalls. They do not notify owners automatically. They do, however, document that the manufacturer has identified a recurring condition requiring special diagnostic steps.

Is There a Recall?

As of now, no public recall has been issued for the LZ0 crankshaft thrust bearing issue. There is also no announced NHTSA investigation specifically targeting this component.

What Can You Do If You Own an LZ0 Duramax

If you drive one of these vehicles, here are practical steps:

• Document any noises, warnings, or oil pressure changes immediately.
• Request written diagnostic codes and measurements from the dealership under TSB 25-NA-307.
• Keep all service records and repair estimates.
• Avoid continued driving if power loss or oil pressure warnings appear.
• Track downtime and communication delays from GM or the dealer.

These records matter if the issue escalates.

Understanding Your Legal Rights

Depending on your state, repeated engine failure, extended repair delays, or complete engine replacement can implicate:

• Warranty protections
• Lemon law rights
• State consumer protection statutes
• Class action litigation

Each case depends on facts, timing, and repair history. No outcome is guaranteed. But owners are not without options.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

My firm continues to collect information from owners as part of our ongoing class action investigation into the GM 3.0L Duramax LZ0 thrust bearing issue. At the same time, we are evaluating individual cases based on each owner’s specific repair history and circumstances.

If your vehicle experienced thrust bearing failure, oil pressure loss, reduced power, extended downtime, or complete engine replacement, you may wish to explore your options. We offer free case evaluations, and we handle these matters on a contingency basis, meaning there is no cost unless a recovery is obtained.

There is no obligation, no pressure, and no guarantees. The purpose is simply to help owners understand what may have happened to their vehicle and what paths may be available.

If you would like to share your experience, you can contact us to begin that conversation.

Sources:

1. 2025 GMC Sierra Complaints
2. 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Complaints
3. 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Complaints
4. 2025 Chevrolet Suburban Complaints
5. 2025 GMC Yukon Complaints
6. 2026 GMC Sierra Complaints

About the Author:

Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."

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