Some 2021-2024 Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV full-size SUVs are included in a safety recall issued by General Motors. The recall refers to a problem in which the 6.2L V8 L87 engine has manufacturing defects that can lead to loss of propulsion, engine damage, and engine failure.
GM’s decision to issue a recall follows a series of lawsuits, investigations, and engine replacements regarding consistent problems with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine.
The automaker provided us with the following statement: “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. The safety and satisfaction of our customers are the highest priorities for the entire GM team, and we’re working to address this matter as quickly as possible.”
The problem: GM notes that the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in affected vehicles may have unspecified manufacturing defects.
The hazards: affected engines with manufacturing defects in the connecting rods or the crankshaft can lose propulsion and ultimately lead to engine failure, increasing the risks of an accident.
The fix: Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV units affected by the recall will be inspected for manufacturing defects. Vehicles that pass inspection will receive an engine oil and filter change, this time using high-viscosity 0W-40 Mobil 1 Supercar oil. The owner’s manual for L87-equipped models calls for 0W-20 oil. The oil fill cap will also be replaced. It’s unclear what happens if an affected SUV does not pass inspection, but it’s likely an engine replacement.
Affected components: connecting rods, crankshaft, engine oil, oil filter, oil fill cap.
Affected vehicles:
- 2021-2024 Chevy Silverado 1500
- 2021-2024 Chevy Tahoe
- 2021-2024 Chevy Suburban
- 2021-2024 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2021-2024 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL
- 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV
Number of affected vehicles: 79,747 Escalade units, 46,280 Escalade ESV units, 22,162 Suburban units, 44,802 Tahoe units, 82,832 Yukon units and 60,933 Yukon XL units are affected by the recall. That’s in addition to 107,244 Silverado 1500 units and 153,630 Sierra 1500 units, for a grand total of 597,630 vehicles impacted in the U.S. They are all equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8. Models listed above powered by the 5.3L V8 L84 or 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax engines are unaffected.
Owners should: GM will notify owners of affected SUVs. Additionally, General has placed a stop sale on affected SUVs currently in dealership inventory, meaning they cannot be sold, delivered, used in demonstrations, or traded to other dealerships until they’ve passed inspection and gotten the appropriate oil change. The SUVs that do not pass inspection cannot be sold or delivered to customers.
Owners or dealers can contact Chevy, GMC, or Cadillac directly if they have further questions. The toll-free customer service numbers below can be used, with the recall number referenced as necessary to identify the issue:
Contacts:
- GM recall numbers: N252494000, N252494001 and N252494002
- Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
- GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782
- Cadillac Customer Service: 1-800-458-8006
Comments
What if you have already replaced an engine because of this? On my second engine now that just started having symptoms.
No recall on the coolant control valves? Wow.
According to the Service Bulletin, the inspection is looking for code P0016, sync between camshaft and crankshaft fault.
Service Procedure
1. Inspect/Check for DTC P0016.
1.1. If DTC P0016 is NOT SET, continue to step 2.
1.2. If DTC P0016 is set, DO NOT proceed with the rest of the service procedure, quarantine vehicle and
submit labor op 9107915. Vehicles that DO NOT PASS the inspection procedure contained in this bulletin
cannot be sold or delivered to the customer. Additional information will be provided by General Motors in the
near future.
2. Drain engine oil and install new filter. Refer to Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement in SI.
3. Fill engine with NEW 0W-40 Oil listed in the parts table.
4. Replace the oil fill cap with the NEW 0W-40 oil fill cap listed in the parts table.
5. Print the appropriate language Owner’s Manual Insert(s) for your service area.
6. Locate the Owner’s Manual or Essential Operating & Safety Information (EOSI) Manual.
7. Install the Owner’s Manual Insert(s) into the Owner’s Manual or EOSI Manual.
I bet you all Dealerships will be scrambling to stock the new Oil Caps and Oil.
What took so long? GM should back them up with a 10 year 175,000 mile powertrain warranty.
After “a series of lawsuits, investigations, and engine replacements regarding consistent problems with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine.” GM will “voluntarily recall certain 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV models ”.
I’m not sure it’s voluntary if you’ve already been sued, are being investigated, and have been fighting it out with consumers. That seems like GM finally came to the realization that they had no choice but to take this action. What’s interesting is that Barra’s start at GM as CEO was supposed to be focused on shifting the culture at GM so that they would be a company that always does the right thing and promptly takes responsibility for mistakes. It kinda sounds like that didn’t last.
We have a 21′ escalade and 23′ Sierra. Both with 6.2 no issues with them but does this mean that our next oil changes are FREE?
I’d take them in and have the Cadillac and GMC dealers inspect them and declare in writing that your vehicles do not have the issue. Unless you can prove otherwise, buyers might be hesitant to buy them and it could impact future resale values. But, yes, it sounds like you’d get free oil changes as part of the inspection process.
Cheapest parts from lowest bidder with questionable quality control. All my life never doubted gm small block V8’s were bulletproof. I’m a ‘55 model myself with a long list of gm V8 models since my ‘65 El Camino with a 327 at age 15. What has happened to gm?
Simple: they’re overly focused on, and invested in, EVs and the erasure of GMs incredible heritage.
A friend who is an “A” GM tech just picked up an ailing 2023 Yukon XL Denali nearly 300 miles from the dealership where he works. The 10 speed automatic would not shift past Fourth gear. At 50 MPH, it tacked 3000 RPM. He nursed back to the dealer along the right lane of 95 with 4-way flashers going and vehicles racing to pass. Obviously, the dealer should’ve flat bedded it but that’s now past tense. Once in the service bay, they dropped the trans pan and found some of the guts just loose in the pan. This very thing happened to me in 1984 with my new S10 4X4 Blazer. Off the lot, it wouldn’t shift beyond second. Pan dropped, misc trans components and roll pins sitting in the pan. Unrelated to the topic, but this is because GM continues to source to cheap suppliers. Lessons not learned 40 years later.
My 84 Hurst/Olds had two transmission failures within 30,000 miles of each other.
Cheap 200R4 transmissions that could handle the weezy 307 engine…
Couldn’t
Sourced to cheap suppliers – yes. Raise MSRP to increase margins in spite of those cheap prices – yes. Earn customers’ respect and carry the great heritage of the company – no.
Just had mine replaced a month ago. All the signs of failure were evident when dealer pulled the oil pan and inspected the bottom end. Heavy amount of bearing material in the pan, scored rod bearings with #7 spun. I don’t see how a fault code concerning the Camshaft Position Sensor could catch the main issue.
Great take! Electronic fault code vs mechanical issue? I would think they would need to drop the pan and inspect the Rods and Crank.
One free oil change hardly pays for the loss in value of the vehicle. The new oil probably costs more so we will pay extra for every oil change. I went thru the same thing on their 8 speed automatic transmission. Their solution was adding a special sauce into the transmission. So now the answer is adding special oil. Sounds like a theme. GM needs the quit spending more on DEI than it does on engineering and quality control. They need to come up with more compensation than a special oil change.
Mary Barra ceo, should be ashamed of herself. The highest paid ceo in Detroit, and all they make now is crap too. Have been a lifelong GM customer, currently driving 2 Cadillac Cts, one coupe and a Vsport Sedan. Were looking to replace them soon, but GM makes not one thing we are interested in. Dont want a pickup, and certainly dont want some wheezy 3 or 4 cylinder boxy suv, with no style. All Barra worries about is making bank; thats it. At this rate these will be the last GM vehicles.
Ok what about the older 6.2 We had a 2011 GMC Yukon Denali I had the lifters replaced 4 times so also the older engines were having this issue.We traded our Denali in for a 2018 Equinox what we traded it in 1 year later for a 2023 Traverse LT, are we going to get any money for our repairs?
I’m assuming the DTC P0016 code would cause the Check Engine light to illuminate? So aside from changing to the new recommended oil…does anyone know how long the recall will be in effect (covered by mfr) in case of future failure
Have the ’25s been left off the recall list because GM ‘fixed’ the manufacturing defect, or because they’d rather wait for that batch of nightmares to catch up with them down the road? A lot of the ’25s were made in ’24, so what gives?
Frightening band-aid – more viscous oil? Wow, just wow. Kinda like hoping as a kid on a budget that dumping STP or Marvel Mystery Oil in your worn out ’67 Tempest back in the day might “fix” those cavernously worn main & rod bearings & quiet her down a bit for the next big date. Mechanical engineer and lifelong car nut here with 35 years in the auto industry – grew up with GM – ’65 Tri-Power GTO in high school (still have the car), 2006 Z06 when I was still single in my 40’s, numerous cars many would envy – and tons of projects including big and small block builds… and now a 2024 Z71 Tahoe with an L87 added to the fold, crossing my fingers. I’m embarrassed for GM.
Have a 23 Escalade, carfax sent me an email notice about a recall, but nothing from the dealer yet.
What are the “symptoms” of this problem?
My 6.2 has 7900 miles. Sounds fine, no ticking or other noises. Great idea to have dealer give results of inspection in writing–want to keep that on file.
I read a report it was bad metal and it has been corrected with updates. Toyota used the same metal on there bearings on the Tundra V6 that had failed too.