General Motors has initiated a safety recall affecting nearly 600,000 vehicles in the U.S. The recall addresses potential propulsion loss in vehicles equipped with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, with GM citing supplier-level manufacturing defects. The campaign follows the launch of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into reports of engine failure. Notably, engines that are inspected and deemed non-defective will get extended warranty coverage under a new special program.
At the heart of the recall are two specific supplier-level issues, including potential rod bearing damage from contaminants, and an out-of-spec or incorrectly finished crankshaft. Affected models span the 2021 through 2024 model years, with vehicles from the 2019, 2020, and 2025 model years excluded due a specific manufacturing window.
Vehicles impacted by the recall will be inspected by authorized GM technicians. If either of the manufacturing defects are detected, the engine will be replaced. For vehicles that pass inspection, GM will provide an oil and filter change using 0W-40 Mobil 1 Supercar oil, as well as a new oil fill cap to match the revised spec. Engines that pass inspection will also receive a new special coverage program that extends warranty protection for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever comes first.
Meanwhile, vehicles that receive a new replacement engine will not be given the extended coverage.
As covered previously, the new GM safety recall covers a wide range of GM nameplates, with a total of 597,630 units affected in the U.S., and about 721,000 units affected globally. Affected nameplates include the Chevy Silverado 1500, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, GMC Sierra 1500, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. Check out our previous coverage for a more thorough breakdown of how many U.S. GM vehicles are affected by the new L87 gasoline engine recall. To note, a recent NHTSA report indicates that there are 12 crashes potentially related to the engine failures.
Comments
So using 0w20 motor oil was too thin to protect?
Not necessarily. The 0w40 is to try and get the “good” engines through their lifespan of the vehicle and the extended coverage on them.
Replacement engines are spec’d to use 0w20 still per the recall version ending in “002”.
Pass
If switching to 40w is to try and get the good engines through their lifespan as you put it, then why was this engine ever started with a 20w?
So is it safe to even drive? Has GMC warned people not to drive it until inspected
I talked to GM. There is no official anything from GM on this issue. GM told me to keep using 0w-20. I am due for an oil change. 0w-40 could void the warrantee. LT1 motor gets 0w-40. 6,6 gets 05w-30.
I thinking GM will roll out the recall notices to avoid a rush/overload no dealers and frustrated owners. No 6.2 motors or oil?????
All the more reasons to keep my 2018
GM, don’t screw up the new small block V8 coming out next year!!
0w20 is used for fuel economy not wear protection ! Project farm proved this many times ! I always use at least a 5w30 and most oil engineers agree with this ! And its perfectly safe !
What about loosing value on your future sale or trade-in?
I was about to move from my 1500 to a 2500. I’ve had no problems with my vehicle for almost 80,000 miles but that has nothing to do with perception and evaluation of a car with an NADA
I’ve been told the ” new ” oil change will be $ 300.00 Canadian
I got told the exact same price for my oil change at a BC GM Dealership
This is confusing. I have a 2017 6.2 Silverado with 43K miles that calls for 0W20. Should I switch to 0W40 for better protection? Some are saying switch to 5W30. Any experts out there?
You have no reason to change. Why would you want to change to 0W40 and pay $20.00 (or more) a quart times 8 qts at every oil change? Your engine is not involved in the recall and was built before the supplier quality spill. The 0W20 oil is not the problem.
Use 70-90 w gear oil,it will go 500k miles
GM LT1 motors 6.2 use 0w-40. I have read that the race oil has higher additives to reduce wear. Mobil 1 and Valvoline or both top rated and Mobil 1 rated the best????
Does GM intend to also reimburse the owners who must now use 0-40 oil for increased cost for their future oil changes? That oil costs more then the original?
Three weeks ago I purchased 15 quarts of Mobile 1 0W-20 “Truck and SUV” full synthetic and two AC Delco filters as I intent to do my own oil changes on my recently purchased 2023 ZR2 at 50% oil life. Stupid me.
I did the same thing, 24 quarts 0-20 and filters!
And Mary still collecting about a $29 million yearly package through all these years of poor parts and quality. But these complicated engines are really designed by the EPA types for sometimes very minimal mpg improvements. The auto stop feature on our bought new ‘20 Equinox drives me nuts. Mechanic friend questions long term life of starter, battery a transmission At least it can be disengaged in our ‘24 XT4 (another killed ICE model) we love.
Mary says eat cake. Too bad for you.
Remember, the girls are in charge so don’t let those mean men interfere with my bonus.
So In reality one should hope for a clean inspection and the extended warranty. That could potentially give me 5 years and up to 150,000.miles of free protection. That sounds like a good deal. What about the crippling effect of bad lifters. Is anything being done about that>
10 Years! I’m not worrying about it.
“Engines that pass inspection will also receive a new special coverage program that extends warranty protection for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the vehicle’s in-service date, whichever comes first.”
Honestly, The “bad lifter” isn’t a manufacturing defect, it’s more of a maintenance issue. combine that will auto start/stop and it’s a recipe for failure. As an owner of a L87 6.2 I won’t go past 4k for an oil change and check levels in-between. As a current owner of 2 L76 6.0 with AFM one with 80K and one with 120K and religious 4K oil changes, I haven’t had any issues.
i read they have been improved but who knows. They should be covered by the extended warrantee if the rumor is true. GM is not talking.
Watch youtube vid by (motor oil geek) on this oil change weight!
As of today, 4-May, my Silverado VIN does NOT show up on the NHTSA or GM site for recall. How up to date are these sites?
It’s the fuel. Twelve dollars a tank, vs Regular. That is a lot of money. Consumers like to save money. I cannot blame them. Who decided that the L87 was ok for unleaded gasoline. Premium 91-93 octane was required, the cost I had to weigh when I bought a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. Compression ratio of 10 1/2 to 1 regular 11 1/2 to 1 Definitely 91 minimum. No wonder they are failing. Everyone who uses unleaded is beating the main and rod bearings to death as well as breaking connecting rods, with detonation. The oil passages are being clogged with engine bearing debris. No oil engine, seizure and or connecting rod failure. Whoever changed the fuel rating to regular cost GM billions. Fuel check every tank of a vehicle that comes in with a blown engine, and I believe you will find regular fuel. We will see if mine blows up, maybe I will have to eat my hat.
Agree, that was a dumb move. The computer should attempt to compensate when pre-detonation happens but it can only do so much when the compression ratio is that high.
I use premium only. Engine blew up at 18k miles.
The engine was defective then.
Jeff, leaded gasoline is generally not available anywhere in the USA excel for highly specialized applications – essentially all grades of pump gasoline are “unleaded”. I assume when you say “unleaded” that you mean “regular” 87 R+M octane rated fuel, which, you correctly also say, is not recommended for these engines. Using 87 octane fuel is unlikely to actually cause damage, since any detonation detected will result in automatically retarded ignition timing. However, that late ignition timing means the engine will run less efficiently and at reduced power. Yes, the fuel is cheaper, but your “savings” will be meager. Few people buy an L78-equpped truck with fuel economy as a top priority. Note also that compression ratio alone does not determine fuel octane requirement – intake valve closure timing, combustion chamber shape, etc. all play into it. I’d highly recommend doing what GM says and use the premium fuel, not to prevent damage necessarily, but to enjoy the performance and efficiency potential of the engine. Also, it is highly doubtful that use of regular unleaded fuel has the slightest thing to do with any of these failures. Have a good day!
Jeff you need to go back to school. All gas regardless of octane rating is unleaded
I just recently had to replace my engine! Very upset about this! Borrowing from everyone, to do so! Almost died on I 95! Hoping I get that letter, and reimbursed! Now the sensors are not good!
I just had my 2021 silverado black widow towed to the dealership where it was purchased because of experienced catastrophic engine failure under 50k miles. They replaced lifters, cam and a number of other parts and did an interior inspection of the motor and flushed it. Just got it back after two weeks. So far running normal….
21 Silverado seized up on Wednesday last week. Under 50k. Towed to dealership. They were told by GM to do nothing until GM makes a decision on how to handle it. Dealership said they can’t give us a loaner/rental until GM decides what to do. Called GM and they are unwilling to authorize a loaner/rental till they discuss with dealership, could take up to 7 days!! Been driving Silverados for more than 30 years, NEVER an issue and now this!! Not only is it under warranty but also recall. We have no vehicle and they sit around trying to make a decision. Our hands are tied! The cherry on top…I have to call THEM everyday until they decide what to do!! Apparently they cannot make outgoing calls because of the high volume they are receiving 🤯😳 They have definitely lost a loyal customer. Had no idea that this is the way folks are treated!!
I have read on the GM directive revision 2 that motors not replaced after 60 days you can ask for a similar replacement vehicle or money back at reasonable price. Also you are owned a loaner vehicle, I suspect you will get reimbursed for your loaner.
Lets make GM make it right.
I am getting a new 6.2, do I have to sue GM to get the same protection as the “inspected good”
engine?
Class action lawsuit?????
New replacement motors should at least get what a 2025 truck gets.
What happens if you’ve replaced a failed cam and lift set with a non-epa compliant unit? Mine failed dealer would cover it at the time it had 77k miles it now has 79k. Question is will GM not warranty my motor if it is one that should be replaced? Also will GM extend my warranty to 10yr of 150k? Comments please.
Nothing is official from GM. If you modified the motor, I would say you voided the warrantee, but I am not a lawyer.
Get this…I had the engine fail with less than 30K miles. They replaced push rods and lifters and gave it back. It failed again. They installed a new 6.2 engine. Less than a year later, I went in for an oil change at the dealer. It locks up as I’m pulling in their service door. They’ve had it for over a month installing yet another 6.2 engine. I’m getting it back today. Wondering if it will make it another year.