NHTSA Opens Investigation into GM V-8s That Won’t Stop Imploding
Despite General Motors issuing a remedy for its L87 6.2-liter V-8s, NHTSA has received reports that hundreds have failed after the fix.
- The investigation don’t just apply to the 2021–2024 models that the companies initially recalled.
- Newer SUVs and trucks not subject to the initial 2025 campaign have also reported engine failures.
- The total number of vehicles covered by ODI’s investigation totals 997,743 trucks and SUVs from the 2021 to 2026 model years, 400,000 units more than the company recalled last year.
AUGUST 2026 — caranddriver.com — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation into General Motors’s 6.2-liter V-8 over continued failures.
The ODI’s investigation involves an engineering analysis of recall 25V-274 and has been expanded to include engines produced after the production period noted in the recall.
According to NHTSA, the ODI has received 499 reports alleging post-remedy engine failures, while GM itself has reported 6953 such complaints.
General Motors is in hot water with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation. The issue? Engines the automaker previously supplied with a recall fix continue to have catastrophic failures. So, the ODI team has opened a new investigation that specifically targets the L87, GM’s 6.2-liter V-8, which was the subject of recall 25V-274 .
The recall, which covered 597,630 trucks and SUVs in the United States, was initiated because of manufacturing defects with the crankshaft and connecting rods that could lead to a catastrophic engine failure. At the time, GM’s remedy involved engine inspections, and for units that passed scrutiny, a higher oil viscosity, a new oil fill cap, and an oil filter replacement. Those that failed were replaced. Unfortunately, neither solution seems to have fixed the underlying issue.
The new ODI report shows that as of August 20, the office had received 499 complaints alleging post-remedy engine failures for cars affected by the recall. Of that population, 473 were supplied with a change in recommended oil while 26 received a complete engine replacement. GM itself has reported that it has received 6953 complaints of post-remedy engine failures, with the ODI reporting that it learned of a further 191 failures for engines produced outside of the recall’s production range.
The oil issue has dogged GM for more than a year now. A class-action suit was brought against the company last year, alleging that the automaker knowingly sold vehicles with bad engines. Earlier this year, GM changed the recommended oil viscosity for the L87, marking the second change in recommended oil for the recalled engine. Now, the ODI is opening its investigation to include L87 engines produced outside of the production window originally laid out in the initial recall.
GM Issues Recall and Stop-Sale order for Failed 6.2L V8 Engines in 2021-2024 Trucks, Cars and SUVs
After widespread engine failures and an NHTSA investigation, GM is recalling all 2021-2024 full-size pickups, cars and SUVs equipped with the 6.2L V8 engines.
APRIL 2025 — thedrive.com — General Motors has issued a stop-sale order and agreed to a full recall of every full-size pickup and SUV powered by its troublesome L87 6.2-liter V8 produced for the 2021-2024 model years.
This comes after widespread owner reports of complete engine failure piled up over the last year, creating a service crisis at dealership and prompting an NHTSA investigation in January.
Affected models include (6.2L V8 Engine Only)
2021-2024 — Cadillac Escalade & Escalade ESV
2021-2024 — Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2021-2024 — Chevrolet Suburban
2021-2024 — Chevrolet Tahoe
2021-2024 — GMC Sierra 1500
2021-2024 — GMC Yukon & Yukon XL
2021-2024 — Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
2021-2024 — Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2021-2024 — Cadillac CT5-V
2021-2024 — Cadillac CTS-V
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist 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 connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Earlier this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a “Preliminary Evaluation” targeting 2019-2024 GM trucks and SUVs equipped with the L87, citing nearly 350 customer complaints lodged with the agency.
NHTSA: General Motors Recall
NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000
Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 597,630
Report Receipt Date: April 2025
APRIL 2025 — General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install a new oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner’s manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 9, 2025. GM’s number for this recall is N252494000.
GM Can’t Keep Up With 6.2L V8 Engine Replacements
GM is facing a serious quality control issue related to the 6.2L V8 L87 engine equipped by models like the Chevy Silverado, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade
FEBRUARY 2025 — gmauthority.com — GM is currently facing a major quality control issue related to the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, a powerplant found throughout the Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC product portfolio, including the Chevy Silverado, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade, among others. Reports of engine failures have surged, leaving many owners stranded with disabled vehicles and no clear timeline for repairs. The problem has become so severe that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation after receiving over a thousand complaints from affected owners, with 877,710 vehicles now under the microscope.
The failures are rooted primarily in bearing failures and collapsed lifters, both of which can render the engine completely inoperable. According to a report from The Drive, while many of the affected vehicles are still under warranty, GM’s inability to supply enough replacement engines has left owners without much recourse. Not only that, but dealers have struggled to meet repair demands as GM attempts to balance new vehicle production with replacement parts, creating an extended repair backlog.
As highlighted by The Drive, the issue is particularly impactful for business owners and fleet operators, who rely heavily on their vehicles for daily operations. As mileage quickly accumulates, often exceeding warranty limits, affected owners are sometimes forced to spend upwards of $10,000 for a new engine, with no guarantee of when repairs will be completed.
One livery service owner states that as soon as her 2023 Cadillac Escalade began exhibiting signs of lifter failure, she acted immediately to quickly source a new engine. Unfortunately, her efforts were in vain, as although she sought to address the issue weeks before the Escalade’s L87 was rendered inoperable, a replacement engine simply could not be found. Now, her vehicle has now been out of commission for weeks, costing her an estimated $30,000 in lost revenue, all with no clear resolution from GM.
GM dealerships are also facing the impact, with some resorting to hoarding replacement engines for high-priority customers, leaving others to fend for themselves. Social media posts indicate that dealers are now attempting in-house rebuilds as well, despite GM’s recommendation to avoid such practices.
For some customers, an entirely new vehicle is the only solution to keep their businesses operational, adding yet another financial burden to the mix. It’s unclear at this time when the NHTSA’s investigation may conclude.
NHTSA Probing Over 877,000 GM Trucks and SUVs Over Engine Failure
FEBRUARY 2025 — MSN.com — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary probe into more than 877,000 trucks and SUVs built by General Motors. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 39 complaints of engine failure due to a problem linked to faulty connecting rod bearings.
Launched in January 2025, the probe includes an estimated 877,710 vehicles powered by the 6.2-liter V-8 L87 engine. The following vehicles built from the 2019 to 2024 model years are under investigation:
Includes 877,710 vehicles: Here are the models involved
2019 to 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2019 to 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 2021 to 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe 2021 to 2024 Chevrolet Suburban 2021 to 2024 GMC Yukon 2021 to 2024 Cadillac Escalade (including the ESV model)
NHTSA documents describe one problem for all of these vehicles: at least one connecting rod bearing fails and either causes the engine to seize or results in a thrown rod. Owners of affected models who have experienced an engine failure told the NHTSA there’s no warning that the engine is about to fail.
“I was driving up a hill passing a semi at 60 mph. The engine suddenly stopped running without warning,” the owner of a 2022 Escalade wrote in a complaint sent to the NHTSA in June 2024. “The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the next day I was told the engine had seized and would need to be replaced. The Escalade only had 25,000 miles on the odometer and I had purchased it new 2021,” the owner added.
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