2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: misfire or rough idle

Filed Jun 28, 2025 · Engine · CA

While driving uphill in my 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of power, accompanied by a flashing check engine light, ticking noise, and loss of oil pressure. The engine began to shake violently and I nearly rolled backward into another vehicle before I was able to shut it off. After restarting the truck, it began jerking and misfiring, making it completely undriveable. The issue occurred without warning and required a tow. Symptoms Observed: •Low oil pressure warning •Ticking/knocking noise from engine •Engine shaking and loss of power •Jerking and severe misfire when restarted •Flashing check engine light •Diagnosed failed/stuck AFM lifter in cylinder 6 •Engine misfire isolated to cylinder 6 (confirmed by unplugging ignition coil with no change) •Oil consumption and burning smell over prior months •Possible camshaft damage due to lifter failure Shops Involved: 1.Pep Boys (North Clairemont, San Diego) – Charged $400 and claimed to fix the issue, but symptoms returned immediately. 2.Rosecrans Automotive (San Diego) – Confirmed the issue is likely due to AFM system failure (collapsed lifter/cam damage). Estimated repair cost: $4,500+. Additional Impact: •Required towing after complete loss of drivability •Rental car for over a week (ongoing) •Potential lost income due to inability to commute to work •Total cost between diagnostics, failed repair, and upcoming repairs is significant Safety Concerns: •Sudden power loss occurred while climbing a steep hill—nearly caused a rear-end collision •Jerking, misfire, and engine instability made it unsafe to control •No prior warning; failure happened instantly Why I am reporting: This is clearly a systemic issue with GM’s Active Fuel Management system, especially in 5.3L V8 engines like mine. It poses not only a major safety risk to drivers and other vehicles, but also an enormous financial burden on consumers. Based on online forums an

Filed Feb 5, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 65 miles · WI

Stabilitrak and traction control light going off with blinking check engine light and rough idle, on a highway. It happened on february 3 2019

Filed Jun 16, 2017 · Airbags, Transmission · 35,955 miles · CA

Takata recall # 16v381. I bought this chevy new and was driving to louisiana. My mileage at the time was 35,955 miles. The red colored seat belt light came on. I was to close to the 36,000 mile mark for warranty coverage to make it to shreveport, la. So I have been driving this truck with the light on. I have asked dealerships if they see the problem, but was asked for a commitment for unknown amounts of money to check and repair this problem. Thank the lord I have not been in an accident with this condition. I want to know if this has been the case with other models as mine. I have a second problem with the engine an transmission. The transmission went out at about 92,000 miles and had to be replaced. Lastly the yellow check engine light has been on. I have spent several thousand to fix this. Even at dealership. I would leave and the light would return. Sometimes I had only driven a mile. I have had other mechanics check it out and it appears I have a lifter problem on my number two cylinder causing intermittent misfires to occur. Is this also a problem with my model?

Filed Apr 30, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · 35 miles · CA

Cylinder 1 misfire,collapsed lifter,dod/afm system failed. Ticking noise from engine before lifter failed.stability traction control also giving problems once problem with lifter started 144000 miles mostly highway this truck is only used for family outthings.not every day driver 3 days out of a 7 day week.

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Engine · 117,000 miles · NM

Vehicle began to knock and idle rough. Noticed while in stationary mode on a city street. Vehicle is misfiring in cylinder 1. Engine has a history of beating up its cam shaft and lifters.

Filed May 31, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 117,000 miles · TX

First incident with the engine occurred less than 3 months after purchase. At roughly 88k miles I noticed a skip in power/torque especially when going uphill at a constant speed, a light loss of power was noticed very briefly as if one cylinder was missing. Less than 100 miles later the "service stabilitrak" and check engine lights came on. I had the engine code read and cylinder 7 was misfiring. Took it back to the dealership with 3 days left on my powertrain warranty (thank god right?), wrong. For whatever reason an engine malfunction was not covered under a powertrain warranty. But the leaking and failing brake system was covered. Advised by the dealership the lifters had failed which costed me a grand to fix less than 3 months after purchase. Exactly one year and roughly 20k miles later the truck developed a loud tick right after startup. Its now idling very rough, RPM gauge does not stay consistent at idle and at one point dropped almost to 0, truck almost shut off and then jumped back up. After speaking with an independent mechanic about it he proposed it was the cam from his personal experience. It seems the incorrect material was used on some of the cams construction ("softer metal"). This mechanic told me it can put an indention in the cylinder wall and cause the valves to malfunction, in turn causing the lifters to fail. So if this is true why has there not been a recall for this part? Everyone makes mistakes including big companies, they'd be a lot more respectable if they corrected their mistakes. So now my options are to spend all the money I saved for college, fix my truck for $4,000 and not go to school this year or trade it in and get a ford.

Filed Jul 7, 2011 · Transmission · 430 miles · CA

I purchased a new chevrolet silverado with the vortec max package in september of 2008. Since new, the vehicle has idled rough and surged at stops. It feels like another vehicle has bumped you from behind. I have brought the vehicle in numerous times to be inspected under warranty. General motors came out with a technical service bulletin stating that if the vehicle has a rough idle with no check engine light it is a normal characteristic of the vehicle. The rough idle causes the vehicles RPM's to spike leading to the surge condition. I have asked for the vehicle to be repaired numerous times under the existing warranty and general motors has not taken action stating it is a normal characteristic. There are many other silverado owners with the same problem that do not believe it is a normal characteristic. Any vehicle that feels like it was bumped from behind is a definite safety concern. I am scheduled for an arbitration hearing on july 11, 2011 with the better business bureau and general motors to discuss the problem. The idle/surge problem happens several times per week. My wife has also experienced the problem while driving the silverado and immediately called me asking what was wrong with the vehicle. I encourage all other general motors customers experiencing this problem to contact general motors, the better business bureau and the federal safety agency.