General Motors has issued a stop-sale order and agreed to a full recall of all 2021-2024 full-size pickups and SUVs equipped with its L87 6.2-liter V8 engine. This decision follows numerous owner reports of complete engine failure over the past year, creating a service crisis at dealerships and prompting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in January.
Recall Details
According to a dealer bulletin shared on gmc-trucks.com forums, GM identified a potential safety defect in certain 2021-2024 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with the 6.2L V8 gas engine (RPO L87). The issue stems from manufacturing defects in the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components, which can lead to engine damage and failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
To address the issue, vehicles that pass inspection will be refilled with a higher weight oil (0W-40 versus the standard 0W-20), receive a new oil fill cap, and an “owner’s manual insert” before being returned to inventory. GM spokesperson stated, “GM will voluntarily recall certain 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV models equipped with 6.2L L87 engines to resolve manufacturing issues affecting some engines.”
Background and Impact
The NHTSA opened a Preliminary Evaluation earlier this year targeting 2019-2024 GM trucks and SUVs equipped with the L87 engine, citing nearly 350 customer complaints. Fortunately, 2025 models appear to be exempt from this issue due to updated tooling that eliminates the underlying problem. However, the current scarcity of 6.2-liter V8 models in 2025 inventory suggests that GM is still addressing a backlog of customer replacement engines alongside new stock assembly.
Conclusion
While the recall affects a significant number of vehicles, GM’s proactive measures aim to address the engine failure concerns and ensure customer safety. The company’s commitment to resolving the issue is evident in its comprehensive recall and repair strategy.
