Yes, bad lifters can be one of the causes that lead to engine damage and failure. Symptoms of bad lifters include loud ticking noises coming from the engine, an increase in oil consumption, a noticeable decrease in power output, and misfiring. If left untreated for too long, bad lifters can cause further damage to other components such as valves, camshafts, and connecting rods. Therefore, it is important to have your lifters checked at regular intervals so that any potential issues can be identified and corrected before they cause serious damage.