Chevy Silverado 5.3L Lifter Replacement Cost (AFM/DFM)

October 12, 2026

Gray Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck parked on a street

Quick answer: Replacing collapsed lifters on a Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra with the 5.3L V8 typically costs $2,500–$4,500 at an independent shop for one bank of lifters, and $4,000–$7,500+ if all lifters and the camshaft must be replaced. Dealer prices are usually higher. The problem is mostly linked to the AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation lifters.

Silverado lifter replacement cost

Estimates updated October 2026. Labor at $100–$200 per hour.

Repair	What’s included	Typical cost (independent)
AFM/DFM lifters on one bank	Lifters, guide, gaskets, pushrods	$2,500 – $4,500
All 16 lifters, cam OK	Lifters, guides, heads off or intake/valley access	$3,500 – $5,500
Lifters + camshaft	Above plus cam, timing set, oil pump often	$4,000 – $7,500+
AFM/DFM delete (aftermarket)	Non-AFM lifters, cam, tuning	$3,500 – $6,000
Dealer	OEM parts	Often 30–50% more

Labor is typically 12–20 hours, depending on whether the cylinder heads must come off.

Which trucks are affected?

2007–2013 and 2014–2018 Silverado/Sierra 5.3L with Active Fuel Management (AFM).
2019 and newer 5.3L (L84) and 6.2L (L87) with Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM). GM issued service information about collapsed or broken lifters on some 2019–2021 trucks and SUVs (Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade).
Separately, GM has issued recalls on some 6.2L L87 engines for other internal problems; check your VIN.

Symptoms of a collapsed lifter

Ticking or tapping noise from the engine.
Misfires and a check engine light, often codes P0300–P0308; see P0300 Code: Random Misfire.
Rough running, loss of power, sometimes a bent pushrod.
Noise that gets worse when the engine switches into fuel-saving (V4) mode.

Warranty and coverage

The 5.3L and 6.2L are covered by GM’s powertrain warranty (typically 5 years / 60,000 miles on these trucks). Many lifter failures happen within this period.
Ask a GM dealer to check your VIN for recalls and special coverage. Under warranty, GM may require the failed parts to be returned for inspection.

Should you delete AFM/DFM?

Some owners replace the system with non-AFM/DFM lifters and a new cam to avoid repeat failures. It can be a durable fix, but it requires an engine tune, may affect emissions compliance in some states and voids warranty coverage on those parts. Talk to an experienced GM V8 shop first.

Is it worth fixing?

Usually yes: Silverados hold their value well. If the camshaft is damaged on a high-mileage truck, a used or remanufactured engine ($5,000–$8,500 installed) may be a better value. Compare with the Repair or Replace Calculator.