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Common Problems With GM’s L87 V8 Engine: Recall Scope, Symptoms and the Fix

GM’s documented L87 concern involves rod-bearing and crankshaft defects that can lead to engine failure. See recall scope, symptoms, VIN steps and the vehicle-specific fix.
Entry158 Date Time5 min MechanicCarCody Team
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The strongest documented problem with GM’s 6.2-liter L87 V8 is internal engine damage that can involve rod bearings and crankshaft components. In certain engines, the damage can progress to engine failure and loss of propulsion. The April 24, 2025 General Motors safety filing concerns only specific vehicles and VINs—not every vehicle fitted with an L87.

What are the common problems with GM’s 6.2L L87 engine?

General Motors’ April 2025 Part 573 filing describes two supplier-related manufacturing and quality problems:

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  • Rod-bearing damage: sediment on connecting rods and crankshaft oil galleries can damage the bearing surfaces.
  • Crankshaft defects: some crankshafts may have out-of-specification dimensions or surface finish.

Either condition can damage the engine and, in severe cases, cause it to fail. GM’s safety statement says: “If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.”

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This documented defect is narrower than an unsourced list of every complaint sometimes attributed to the L87. Complaint totals, alleged failures and confirmed defects are different measurements, and no independent controlled failure-rate study is established here.

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Which vehicles are included in the L87 recall?

GM’s April 24, 2025 filing identifies certain 2021–2024 vehicles equipped with the 6.2L gasoline engine, RPO L87. The suspect engine production window is March 1, 2021, through May 31, 2024.

Brand Models named in GM’s filing Engine and eligibility
Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV 6.2L L87, qualifying VIN and production details required
Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe 6.2L L87, qualifying VIN and production details required
GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL 6.2L L87, qualifying VIN and production details required

Model year alone does not establish recall eligibility. Vehicles with other engines, vehicles outside the identified production window and L87 vehicles whose VINs are not involved are not automatically covered by this campaign. Check the VIN rather than assuming that every 2021–2024 truck or SUV is affected.

How many vehicles are involved?

GM’s April 24, 2025 filing listed a potentially involved population of 597,630 vehicles and estimated that 3% had the defect. A later GM filing reproduced in the official record listed 647,419 potentially involved vehicles. Those are different filing versions and should not be combined or treated as a single confirmed-failure count.

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What are the symptoms of L87 engine bearing failure?

GM’s filing lists these possible preceding signs:

  • Knocking, banging or other unusual engine noise
  • An illuminated check-engine light
  • Hesitation or changes in engine performance
  • Unusually high engine speed (RPM)
  • Abnormal shifting
  • Reduced propulsion or power
  • A no-start condition

These signs are warning possibilities, not a diagnostic checklist. A quiet engine, normal warning lights or normal performance does not prove that an engine is unaffected or outside the recall. Some reported investigations describe failures without an obvious warning.

Can an L87 engine fail without warning?

Yes. The available recall and investigation material does not support using the absence of noise or a warning light to rule out the condition. If severe or worsening engine noise, loss of power or a no-start event occurs, avoid continued driving and arrange prompt professional evaluation. An engine that fails while the vehicle is moving can remove propulsion and increase crash risk.

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Is my Silverado or Sierra 6.2 affected by the L87 recall?

  1. Locate the vehicle identification number (VIN), usually on the dashboard at the windshield or on the registration documents.
  2. Search the VIN through GM’s recall system and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall lookup. NHTSA also accepts a license-plate search.
  3. Ask an authorized GM dealer to check the vehicle’s history and campaign status. GM’s May 1, 2025 dealer communication says: “Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) in the GM Global Warranty Management system MUST always be checked to confirm vehicle involvement.”
  4. Confirm whether the recall is open, already completed, or has a remedy procedure assigned to that specific VIN.

Do not infer coverage from the badge, model year or the presence of an L87 RPO code alone. Recall status, engine build details and remedy status must be checked together.

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What is the GM 6.2L recall fix?

The remedy is vehicle-specific. GM service communications describe an inspection and, when required, repair or replacement. Separate procedures identify vehicles that require engine replacement; a dealer must determine which procedure applies to the VIN.

GM’s replacement-engine procedure specifies dexos 0W-20 oil for the replacement engine. That oil specification applies to the documented replacement procedure; an oil change does not correct the manufacturing defect and should not be presented as a recall remedy.

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  • Motion conversion: the crankshaft converts the reciprocating linear motion of the piston into rotary motion.
  • Usually made of high-strength steel or alloy materials to withstand extremely high mechanical stress and thermal stress.
  • It is mainly composed of crankshaft front end, connecting rod journal, main journal, crank, balance weight and crankshaft rear end flange.

Contact an authorized GM dealer before authorizing unrelated repairs, and follow the remedy assigned in GM and NHTSA records. If the vehicle has severe symptoms, have it transported rather than driving it to the dealer.

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What do the complaint and investigation numbers mean?

GM’s 2025 chronology recorded 28,102 potentially related U.S. complaints or incidents and 14,332 allegations of loss of propulsion through February 3, 2025. These are manufacturer-reported allegations, not confirmed failures and not a prevalence rate for all L87 engines.

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NHTSA’s Engineering Analysis EA25007 addresses alleged L87 engine failures outside the 25V-274 recall scope. Its investigation summary reports 1,157 allegations of bearing failure, including 173 outside the recall scope. Those figures are allegations received by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, not a verified failure rate for the entire L87 population.

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A report surfaced about a possible additional 2026 NHTSA investigation into post-remedy failures, but its scope, population and status are not established in the primary NHTSA record available for this article. Treat such reports as unconfirmed until NHTSA publishes an official record.

How to handle a suspected L87 problem

  • Stop and assess: persistent knocking, banging, major power loss or a no-start condition warrants professional help.
  • Do not self-diagnose from symptoms alone: the same symptom can have causes unrelated to the recall.
  • Preserve evidence: keep repair orders, diagnostic codes, oil-change records and tow documentation.
  • Verify the VIN: use both GM and NHTSA records and ask the dealer to document the campaign result.
  • Follow the assigned remedy: inspection, repair and replacement paths differ by vehicle.

What is established—and what is not?

Question What the available record supports
Is there a documented L87 defect? Yes. GM identified rod-bearing and crankshaft manufacturing-related conditions in specified engines.
Is every L87-equipped vehicle recalled? No. The campaign is limited by VIN, vehicle, engine and production criteria.
Does every affected engine show symptoms first? No. Symptoms can precede failure, but absence of symptoms does not establish safety.
Does an oil change fix the defect? No. GM’s oil specification is part of a replacement-engine procedure, not a cure for the manufacturing condition.
Is there a proven failure rate for all L87 engines? No independent controlled rate is established; complaint and allegation counts cannot supply one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most serious documented L87 problems?

Rod-bearing damage and out-of-specification crankshaft components can cause internal engine damage, failure and loss of propulsion in vehicles covered by the recall.

Can a 2021–2024 6.2L Silverado be assumed recalled?

No. Confirm the vehicle’s VIN, engine and production details through GM, NHTSA and an authorized dealer.

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Should I keep driving if my L87 is knocking?

Avoid driving with severe or worsening engine noise, power loss or a no-start condition; arrange professional evaluation or a tow.

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