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NHTSA Investigates GM L87 V8 Failures; Recall Remedy Faces New Review

NHTSA investigated reported failures in GM’s L87 6.2-liter V8, while a later recall-query review examines allegations of engine failure after recall repairs.
Entry870 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team

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NHTSA opened an investigation into reports of engine failure and sudden loss of motive power in certain GM vehicles with the 6.2-liter L87 V8 in January 2025. GM later recalled affected vehicles over intermittent supplier issues that it said could damage connecting-rod bearings. In January 2026, NHTSA opened a separate query to assess the recall remedy after receiving reports of failures following recall work. That query’s opening record does not establish that the remedy is inadequate or that it has been changed.

What NHTSA is investigating

NHTSA’s initial action, Preliminary Evaluation PE25001, followed reports of engine failure and loss of motive power in GM vehicles equipped with the L87 6.2-liter V8. The agency’s February 12, 2025 information request described the alleged defect as engine seizure due to internal component failure and the reported safety concern as sudden loss of motive power. These are reported concerns, not a finding that every engine in the listed vehicle families is defective. NHTSA’s PE25001 information request identifies an initial estimated investigation population of 877,710 vehicles; that estimate is not the same as the population covered by GM’s later recall.

Which vehicles and engines are involved?

The initial investigation concerns certain U.S.-market model-year 2019–2024 vehicles equipped with the L87 6.2-liter V8:

  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban and Tahoe
  • GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL
  • Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV

A model year and vehicle name alone cannot confirm recall eligibility. Coverage and remedy status are determined by vehicle identification number (VIN), so owners should check their VIN with a GM dealer or the official NHTSA recall lookup.

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What GM says caused the failures

In its 2025 Part 573 recall filing, GM said updated field analysis identified an increased rate of potentially related engine-failure claims for L87 engines built from March 1, 2021, through May 31, 2024. GM reported that teardowns of field engines and a study of new, unused crankshafts found intermittent supplier manufacturing and quality issues during that period:

  • Sediment on connecting rods and in crankshaft oil galleries, associated with rod-bearing damage.
  • Crankshaft dimensions or surface finish outside specification.

GM said these conditions can cause or contribute to bearing damage, engine failure and loss of propulsion. This is the manufacturer’s explanation in its recall filing, not a determination that all L87 engines—or all vehicles in NHTSA’s broader investigation—have the condition. GM’s Part 573 Safety Recall Report for recall 25V-274 provides the filing details.

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What the reported numbers mean

GM’s recall filing reported 28,102 U.S. field complaints or incidents potentially related to L87 crankshaft, connecting-rod or bearing failure, including 14,332 involving allegations of loss of propulsion. GM said it received those reports from April 29, 2021, through February 3, 2025. They are manufacturer-reported reports, not a count of individually confirmed defects.

The filing also listed 12 alleged crashes and 12 alleged injuries. GM said the injuries specifically alleged were minor or non-physical, and most were not crash-related. It reported 42 potentially related fire allegations, while saying causation was unclear in most cases and alleged fire damage was generally contained to the engine compartment. These figures describe allegations reported to GM; they do not establish that the recalled condition caused each event.

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What recall 25V-274 does

GM’s recall remedy is a dealer inspection followed by engine repair or replacement when necessary. GM’s filing states: “Dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair or replace the engine.” Vehicles that pass inspection receive higher-viscosity oil, a new oil-fill cap, an oil-filter replacement and an owner’s-manual insert. GM said connecting rods and crankshafts in repaired or replacement engines were produced after the suppliers’ suspect manufacturing window.

The dealer determines which path applies after inspecting the vehicle. The oil and filter are elements of the specified recall remedy, not a substitute an owner should arrange independently in place of the inspection. Recall eligibility and completion status are VIN-specific.

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Why NHTSA opened a second review

The January 2025 preliminary evaluation, GM’s recall and NHTSA’s later Recall Query RQ26001 are distinct actions. In January 2026, NHTSA opened RQ26001 after receiving 36 owner questionnaires alleging engine failure after recall work. The allegations involved both vehicles that received the oil-change remedy and vehicles that had engine replacement. The query opening resume reported no crashes, fires, injury incidents or fatalities among those 36 allegations at that stage.

NHTSA said the purpose was to assess the remedy: “ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 25V-274.” The opening record documents allegations and the inquiry’s purpose; it does not establish a failure rate, conclude that the remedy is inadequate, or announce a remedy change. The RQ26001 opening resume is the official record for the query’s opening.

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What owners should do

  1. Check your VIN using NHTSA’s recall lookup or contact a GM dealer to determine whether your vehicle is covered and whether recall 25V-274 remains open.
  2. If the recall applies, arrange the dealer inspection and follow the remedy specified for your vehicle.
  3. If you experience an engine warning, unusual engine noise, loss of power or a stall, stop somewhere safe and contact roadside assistance or a dealer rather than continuing to drive if doing so may be unsafe.

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