GM’s problem 6.2-liter V8 is the naturally aspirated L87, and the practical answer for owners is to check the VIN rather than assume every GM 6.2 is covered—or unaffected. Certain 2021–2024 Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs are included in safety recall 25V-274 after reports of connecting-rod bearing damage, severe engine failure, and possible loss of propulsion. The remedy may be an inspection followed by an oil-and-filter service or engine replacement.
The controversy is not over simply because the recall exists. Vehicles outside the recall’s production window, along with additional complaints, remained part of NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA25007 as of the August 12, 2026 research record.
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The engine at the center of the problem
GM’s problematic V8 is the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter small-block identified by RPO code L87. It was offered in premium versions of GM’s full-size trucks and SUVs, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and Suburban; GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
The important distinction is that an L87-equipped vehicle is not automatically covered by safety recall 25V-274. Recall coverage depends on the vehicle identification number, engine, and production date. A model-year badge or “6.2L” emblem is not enough to establish eligibility.
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What is failing inside the L87?
The reported failures involve the engine’s lower end, particularly connecting-rod bearings, crankshafts, connecting rods, and related components. A damaged bearing can produce a deep knocking or growling noise. As damage progresses, the connecting rod or crankshaft may fail, causing severe internal engine damage or complete engine failure.
The safety concern is more serious than an expensive repair bill. If the engine stops while the vehicle is moving, the vehicle can lose propulsion. That can increase the risk of a crash, especially in traffic, while towing, or when merging onto a highway.
Symptoms owners have reported
- Bottom-end knocking, tapping, or growling that increases with engine speed
- Sudden loss of power or inability to maintain speed
- Engine warning lights or other drivability warnings
- Severe vibration, unusual mechanical noise, or an engine that will not restart
- A connecting-rod failure or other catastrophic internal damage
Noise does not prove that an L87 has the specific defect under investigation, and a quiet engine does not prove that it is risk-free. However, a new deep knock, sudden loss of power, or serious warning condition should not be treated as a routine maintenance issue.
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Why GM recalled certain 6.2-liter engines
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 on January 16, 2025, after receiving complaints and field reports involving 2019–2024 GM full-size trucks and SUVs equipped with the L87. The complaints described bearing failures, severe engine damage, broken connecting rods, and loss of propulsion.
When PE25001 was closed, NHTSA reported 1,157 allegations of engine-bearing failure. GM had submitted 55,464 reports representing 29,752 unique vehicle identification numbers. Those figures show the scale of the reports reviewed by regulators, but they are not a verified failure rate for every L87 engine. A report or allegation is not necessarily a confirmed bearing failure, and the total does not establish that every engine in the wider L87 population is defective.
GM issued safety recall 25V-274 on April 24, 2025. The recall report attributed the issue to supplier manufacturing and quality problems and identified a suspect engine-production period from March 1, 2021, through May 31, 2024.
Which trucks and SUVs are included in recall 25V-274?
The original recall covers certain model-year 2021–2024 vehicles equipped with the L87:
| Brand | Models listed in the recall population |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and Suburban |
| GMC | Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL |
| Cadillac | Escalade and Escalade ESV |
These model names and years describe the general recall population, not automatic eligibility. The recall applies only to selected vehicles with the L87 that fall within the relevant production and VIN criteria. Vehicles outside the suspect manufacturing window, or vehicles with another engine, are excluded from 25V-274 even if they look similar or have the same model-year designation.
The safest way to determine coverage is to run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and GM’s owner resources, then confirm the result with an authorized GM dealer. Do not rely solely on the engine badge, trim level, build month, or a seller’s statement.
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How the recall repair works
Recall 25V-274 is inspection-led, not an automatic engine-replacement campaign. The dealer performs the specified inspection and then follows the remedy assigned to that vehicle and inspection result.
In broad terms, the documented remedy can result in either:
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- An oil and filter service using a different oil viscosity when the engine passes the applicable inspection; or
- Replacement of the engine when the inspection identifies a condition requiring replacement.
GM service communications describe the field procedure as requiring specialized diagnostic equipment, including a GM-branded PicoScope and a specified wiring harness. That means a consumer code reader, generic scan tool, or visual inspection is not an equivalent way to complete the recall.
Automotive trade reporting has identified the higher-viscosity oil used in the pass-inspection remedy as 0W-40 Mobil 1 Supercar oil. That detail should not be interpreted as a general instruction for every L87 owner to change oil viscosity independently. The correct oil, filter, inspection, and documentation are determined by the recall procedure applicable to the vehicle’s VIN.
Some replacement engines may be new, while others may be remanufactured. GM has described the recall replacement supply as a mix of new and remanufactured engines. The available evidence does not establish that one type is inherently more durable than the other.
Why the recall did not settle the L87 controversy
The recall addresses a defined production window and a defined group of vehicles. It does not mean that every L87-equipped vehicle ever built was included. Nor does it establish the cause of every engine failure reported outside that window.
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After closing PE25001, NHTSA stated that complaints outside the recall scope would continue under a separate Engineering Analysis, EA25007. NHTSA opened EA25007 on October 23, 2025, to examine engine failures resulting from connecting-rod bearing failure.
The listed population includes certain 2019–2021 and 2024 Silverado and Sierra vehicles, along with selected 2021 and 2024 full-size SUVs. The opening summary reported that 173 of the allegations were outside the scope of recall 25V-274. This is why a vehicle can have an L87 and a history of reported failures without appearing in the original recall population.
As of the research record dated August 12, 2026, the reviewed material does not provide a final NHTSA disposition for EA25007. That means the regulatory question remained under examination at that point. The existence of the engineering analysis does not prove that every vehicle outside the recall is defective, and it does not by itself prove that the recall remedy is ineffective. It does show that the safety issue was not fully resolved simply because 25V-274 had been issued.
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What about L87 engines that fail after recall work?
Owners have also reported failures outside the original recall window or after recall-related repairs. Those reports deserve documentation and investigation, but they do not by themselves establish a common cause. A post-repair failure could involve the original condition, another engine component, an unrelated mechanical problem, or a replacement-engine issue.
Owners should ask the dealer to write down exactly what was performed:
- Whether the VIN was covered by recall 25V-274
- Whether the engine passed or failed the recall inspection
- The oil viscosity and filter specified on the repair order
- Whether an engine was replaced
- Whether the replacement was new or remanufactured, if that information is provided
- Any diagnostic trouble codes, measurements, and follow-up instructions
Keep the repair order, invoices, diagnostic results, towing receipts, photographs, and communications with GM or the dealer. These records do not guarantee reimbursement or a legal remedy, but they can be important when evaluating warranty coverage, goodwill assistance, a later repair, or a legal claim.
The lawsuit situation: allegations are not final findings
Multiple owners have filed class-action lawsuits alleging that the L87 has a defect involving lubrication, bearings, crankshafts, or connecting rods. The cases were reportedly consolidated in federal court, and GM sought dismissal while arguing that the recall and an extended warranty program addressed the alleged defect.
That procedural history should not be presented as a court finding that GM knowingly sold defective engines. The reviewed material does not establish a certified class, a final merits judgment, or a final ruling proving the allegations. The accurate distinctions are:
- Plaintiffs allege that the engine has a defect and that GM’s remedy is inadequate.
- NHTSA reported complaints, allegations, a recall, and a continuing engineering analysis.
- GM argues that its recall and extended warranty measures address the claimed problem.
- No final judgment or class-certification result was established in the reviewed sources as of the research date.
What L87 owners should do now
- Check the VIN, not just the model year. Use the official recall lookup and GM owner resources to check your GM VIN for an open recall. A dealer can also confirm whether the vehicle is included in 25V-274 or has another applicable campaign.
- Schedule the work with an authorized GM dealer. The documented procedure uses GM-specific diagnostic equipment, including a PicoScope and wiring harness. A general repair shop or consumer scan tool cannot perform the official recall inspection simply by reading trouble codes.
- Ask what result was recorded. Obtain a copy of the repair order showing whether the vehicle passed inspection, received the oil-and-filter remedy, or was approved for engine replacement.
- Do not self-prescribe the recall oil. Do not independently switch to 0W-40, add an engine additive, or assume that a new filter completes the campaign. The oil service is part of a VIN-specific dealer remedy, not a universal repair for every L87.
- Stop driving if severe symptoms appear. If the engine develops a deep knock or growl, loses power, displays serious warning lights, or begins running abnormally, pull over when safe and arrange professional diagnosis or towing. Continuing to drive a failing engine can increase damage and leaves the possibility of losing propulsion in traffic.
- Maintain a paper trail. Save all repair orders, diagnostic codes, photographs, towing records, maintenance records, and messages with GM or the dealer.
Can an OBD2 scanner identify the recall problem?
A GM-compatible OBD2 scanner can be useful for reading ordinary diagnostic trouble codes, checking some vehicle data, and giving an owner additional information before visiting a repair facility. It cannot determine recall eligibility by itself, and it is not equivalent to the GM-branded PicoScope procedure used for the documented field action.
A scanner also cannot guarantee that an L87 engine is healthy. Bearing damage can exist without a code that clearly identifies the problem. Treat a scanner as a supplemental diagnostic reference, not as a substitute for the dealer inspection or a professional mechanical diagnosis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a repair manual can—and cannot—do
Owners who perform routine maintenance or non-recall repairs may find a GMC Sierra 1500 repair manual useful. Haynes lists coverage for the 2019–2022 GMC Sierra 1500, including the 6.2-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and RPO L87. A reference like that can help with maintenance procedures, component identification, service intervals, and general troubleshooting.
It is not a substitute for GM’s recall instructions. The L87 recall inspection requires the specified dealer equipment and procedure, and an owner should not attempt to reproduce it from a general repair manual.
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What the evidence does not prove
The available records support concern about reported L87 bearing-related failures, but they do not answer every question owners naturally have. They do not establish:
- A reliable failure rate for all L87 engines
- A definitive explanation for every failure outside the 25V-274 production window
- That every L87-equipped truck or SUV is unsafe to drive
- That every engine passing the recall inspection will remain trouble-free
- That every replacement engine will fail or will last longer than the original
- That aftermarket AFM/DFM disablers, tuning devices, additives, or self-selected oil changes fix the recall condition
In particular, NHTSA’s complaint and manufacturer-report totals should not be converted into a percentage without a verified denominator and confirmed failure data. The safest conclusion is narrower: a specific group of L87 engines was recalled for a potentially dangerous internal-engine failure, and additional reports outside that group remained under regulatory review as of August 12, 2026.
Bottom line for buyers and current owners
The L87 is not a recall story that can be reduced to “every GM 6.2 is bad” or “the recall fixed everything.” The evidence supports a more precise conclusion: certain 2021–2024 GM vehicles built during the March 1, 2021–May 31, 2024 suspect period are covered by recall 25V-274, while other L87-equipped vehicles and reports outside that population remained part of a separate NHTSA engineering analysis.
For a vehicle you own or are considering buying, the VIN check, documented dealer inspection, service history, and current engine symptoms matter more than the badge on the fender. If a seller cannot provide the VIN or recall-repair documentation, treat that missing information as a meaningful risk rather than assuming the vehicle is unaffected.
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Is every GM 6.2-liter L87 V8 covered by the recall?
No. Recall 25V-274 covers certain 2021–2024 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles with the L87 and production dates within the suspect window. VIN eligibility is required; an L87 badge or model year alone is not enough.
Does the L87 recall guarantee a new engine?
The dealer performs the applicable inspection using GM-specific equipment. Depending on the result, the remedy may be an oil-and-filter service using the specified viscosity or replacement of the engine. It is not an automatic engine-replacement recall.
Should L87 owners switch to 0W-40 oil?
No. Public reporting identified 0W-40 Mobil 1 Supercar oil for the pass-inspection remedy, but owners should not independently change viscosity. The oil and filter service must follow the recall instructions applicable to the vehicle’s VIN.
Can an OBD2 scanner check the L87 bearing problem?
A generic or GM-compatible OBD2 scanner can read ordinary trouble codes and provide supplemental information, but it cannot establish recall eligibility or replace the GM-branded PicoScope procedure used for the recall inspection.
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Stop operating the vehicle when safe if it develops a deep knock or growl, loses power, shows serious warning lights, or runs abnormally. Arrange professional diagnosis or towing because engine failure can cause loss of propulsion.
Has GM been found legally responsible for the L87 failures?
As of the research record dated August 12, 2026, the reviewed material did not establish a final NHTSA disposition for EA25007, a certified class, or a final court judgment on the related litigation. Lawsuit allegations should not be treated as adjudicated facts.
The Bottom Line
The practical answer: check the VIN, confirm recall status with GM, have the authorized inspection performed with the required equipment, and do not treat an aftermarket scanner, oil change, additive, or DFM device as a recall repair. A deep knock or sudden loss of power warrants stopping the vehicle and arranging a tow.
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