A recent GM safety recall addressing potential manufacturing defects impacting the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine has lead to confusion among some owners when it comes to the factory-recommended engine oil. For those who may have missed it, the recall dictates that certain engines should now use 0W-40 oil, rather than 0W-20 oil. However, despite GM calling for a different weight engine oil for certain L87 engines, the change does not apply universally to all L87-equipped vehicles.
Essentially, the recent safety recall addresses two specific supplier-level defects, including potential rod bearing damage from contaminants, and out-of-spec crankshafts. These defects affect vehicles built during between the 2021 and 2024 model years, while vehicles built during the 2019, 2020, and 2025 model years are not impacted by the recall. Additionally, the recall is not related to potential lifter issues.
Recalled vehicles will be inspected by a GM technician in order to identify the presence of either of the manufacturing defects. Defective engines will be replaced, while engines that pass inspection will get 0W-40 oil and a filter change, as well as a new oil fill cap reflecting the updated oil specification and extended warranty coverage.
However, for those vehicles that are not affected by the recall, owners should not switch to the new 0W-40 oil spec. Using an engine oil viscosity other than what’s recommended by the manufacturer (in this case 0W-20 Dexos Gen 3) could void the vehicle’s warranty.
This distinction is crucial. While GM has validated 0W-40 for use in select engines that pass inspection under the new recall, the decision is based on a targeted response to potential internal wear or tolerance variation and does not reflect a change to lubrication standards for all L87 engines.
To note, the L87 engine is found in several high-volume nameplates, including the Chevy Silverado 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Cadillac Escalade and ESV, GMC Sierra 1500, and GMC Yukon / Yukon XL.
Check out our previous coverage for more information on which GM vehicles are affected by the recent recall.
Comments
This is all ridiculously confusing. Not the article, the actual instructions on what to do.
That’s simply because its B.S. A quick move by GM while laughing to get those engines past warranty period and allow them to claim they did something.
Wrong, if you get your 2021-2024 L87 6.2 engine inspected and passed, the GM corporation will give you “free” a 10 year 150,000-mile warranty from the in-service date. That is awesome if there’s no problems “yet” with your engine in the vehicle. Some engine will and some won’t, but that inspection will make you sleep better at night.
6.2 engine before 2021 were equipped with AFM. 6.2 L87 engines 2021-2024 are equipped with DFM. The defective crankshaft and bearings are only concerned in 2021-2024. Supposedly 2025 L87 engines have correct machined crankshafts and bearing from manufacture. 2021-2024, GM wants you to use 0w40 with is a thicker oil that leaves a lubricating film on parts better than 0w20 but because its thicher, you will lose slight MPG’s but hardly not much. The corvettes and couple other sport cars are recommended 0w40. I think if you have a truck that pulls trailers or works hard, 0w40 will be more beneficial anyhow. I also think with 2025, GM wants to continue 0w20 due to slightly better MPG’s due to lighter less think oil so they can brag about the MPG rating, nothing else. My opinion is 6.2 L87 engines (mainly trucks because hard working and towing) would benefit more due to lubrication will protect better than 0w20. Also, the compression ratio for 6.2 L87 I believe is 11:1 thus requiring 91-93 Octane rating. 87 Octane with that ratio will make the 6.2 L87 work harder and the knock senser can only do so much. I used 93 octane (Shell due to cleaning formula critical for DFM engines) and have no issues thus far. I also have a Pulsar LT to disable the DFM in my opinion that I have no lifter issues. I believe the 17 different combustion senarios in the 6.2 are causing off timing detenations with causes stress on internal engine parts, just my belief.
If you have a 21-24 6.2L you are now using 0W-40. If you don’t stick with 0W-20.
why stick with 0w20? Only benefits are MPG’s. 0w40 is thicker and will only lose slight MPG’s but you will have more lubricating film on internal parts thus better protection. remember just 0w40 switching… not 10w30 or 5w30 as these oil weight can cause greater pressure differentials that can lead to issues and breakdown as well.
The manufacturers are making it harder and harder to maintain ones own vehicle. This is another way they can get you to bring in your vehicle and get it serviced by them. I don’t do my own oil anymore because father is retired, shop and hoist are gone. But man was it “fulfilling”, life lessening when you were able to get under hood of your own vehicle and work on it. Very self gratifying!
I wonder if you can work on the new TT V6 Tundra by hand?
Guess the answer?
Everyone is terrible now.
The people that voted down, have never changed their own oil, workedon their vehicle, or even gotten their hands dirty in life!!
Hard to say. You may be right, but it depends.
I just down voted you because I can see how offended you get and hurt when someone tells you that you are wrong. And I am a big DIY guy, that is why I have a lift in my garage…
@TMI
I could careless what you think. You have proven time and time again (from your rampant posts) that you spew alot of nonfactual nomsense. I wouldn’t believe for a second you would know where the oil cap is located at, let alone a lift in your garage.
You can get a blanket and slid under there and unscrew the oil cap. Trucks have ample clearance. I did it on gravel at my first rental house. A good thick saddle blanket is ample protection. Walmart now sells spill containing oil pans that are also flatter and slide under most cars so a truck should be easy as pie.
What do you drive other than a lawnmower that the oil cap is underneath?
Look here is the deal today. You the customer want big large V8 engines and the government till recently want you in small 3 or 4 cylinder engines.
This has forced automakers into the gimmicks to meet regulations like cylinder deactivation, VVT cam timing and even using oil cooled pistons and turbo chargers. All of this is oil activated or used.
This means they have to use and create oils that will do this and also still not hurt the MPG. It is an engineering nightmare.
We see the same issues with oils in the transmissions now and have so many different kids of oils for them to prevent moisture getting in and creating shudder.
If you want to get mad be mad at the past EPA as this all stems from their regulations forcing us into products we don’t want or can work on anymore.
GM is not doing this to make a buck nor is anyone else.
The government wants you to get more mpg and then they slap you with more crash test regulations that add 700 pounds and it is pure insanity.
GM also has to move carefully and at time don’t always have the answers. Till they do they need to find a way to find the troubled models and then spread out the repairs so they don’t go broke doing it and prevent more failures.
Might note that Mobil one has put the Corvette on 0W40 Supercar oil Dexos. They also now have stated GM now recommend this oil for the LT engines and even the older LS engines as acceptable since it superseded the specs on the 5W30.
Just wait the new 3 and some 4 cylinders are using wet timing belts and oil belts in their engines. They have been crumbling apart an Ford has had major issues with these. Some other MFGs too as they belt cumb’s plug up the intake on the oil pump. They have lowered oil changes but still trouble.
Ford uses a rubber belt to run the oil pump. It breaks you have to pull the front off the engine and pan. The pan is one time use to you need a new one. The pick up and all is plastic too.
All in the name for meeting EPA regs. Trump will relax them but automakers can’t expect them to remain there as we have more elections.
Put your truck in the garage and close the door. Turn on the truck and sit down. Wait on hour.
There is balance. Where are lines drawn? It’s hard to say.
Maybe quit stifling new tech?
It’s not just EPA regs. Most this tech was thought up in the 70’s oil crisis and then brought back in the high gas period of 04-08. There is a demand for trucks and SUV’s that don’t get 9 miles to the gallon, which is what you get when you have a land yacht with a 4 speed, no VVT, no AFM or DI and want more than 100 HP.
I agree with everything that you say. But the one thing you forgot to mention is the fuel we put in our vehicles is absolute dog water. The lowest octane we sell is 87. In the UK the lowest octane is 95 which is comparable to 91 in the US. You may think that gas is cheaper in the UK. WRONG! The average price of gas in the US is $3.20 per gallon. The average price for gas in the UK is $1.79 per liter. At $1.25 per liter, that is equal to $4.83 per gallon. So now you may think they make more money than us. WRONG again! The average salary in the US is $66,000. In the UK, the average salary is 34,000 British Pounds. Converted into US Dollars is $45,000.
the 6.2 L87 engine compression ratio is 11:1 thus requiring 91-93 Octane fuel. The 87 Rating will make that engine work harder and lead to possible malfunctions. The knock sensor can only do so much. I run Shell 93 octane due to the superior cleaning capabilities that is a must for modern DFM engines.
One more excuse to blame the consumer and avoid repairing your vehicle.
I took my 2024 with the 6.2 into the dealer this past weekend for an oil change. They said my engine is NOT part of the recall. He said I have the ecotec and not the L87. I don’t know much about this but I don’t understand the difference. Maybe I heard him wrong? Either way, I have the same old oil type and no new oil cap.
my 2023 is sitting at the dealers i want to trade it in but cant waiting for gm to say ok
Yes it is an Ecotec but it also is an L87
You may need to have it checked out. I would contact dealer with your vin and tell them it is a L87 6.2 2024.
I have been running Amsoil 0-30 in my L86 and L87 6.2 from the break in period. I was able to get 186k from my 2015 Yukon before the lifters started ticking. Now with my 2025 Silverado L87 I’m doing the same. Dexos is garbage, that’s why early on they had LSPI issues. What they don’t know won’t hurt them, is my motto.
I thought Amsoil was the holy grail of oil and would prevent all mechanical engine issues because it is 4 times the price of regular and similar performing oil since they aren’t paying for DIY marketing tests?
I understand you’re poking fun, but if you’re pricing amsoil at 4x the cost, it’s not a similar performing oil. Compared to mobil 1 or pensoil platinum or royal purple, it’s only a little more expensive.
The multi-level marketing strategy is ridiculous.
(It also never goes on sale like you get from mobil 1.)
Are you practicing running from the cops? How did you develop lifter tick at 180k???? We would normally expect a torque converter replacement at this point with absolutely no engine issues.
Years ago, we used different weight oils for different seasons.
Vettes and Cameros aren’t used in the winter cold climates.
Lots of people had supply chain issues with bad metal. Toyota also in the New Tundra V6. There is a lot of cheap metal going around. Also this is a complex motor and many people are doing things that are making it worse. If you de-activate the the displacement on demand I you can clog the ports as no oil flows and making it worse. The best advise to people is this is a complex engine keep your oil changed and dont wait to 10k. Do every 3-5k . There are millions of these engines around with 400k on them but we only hear from the complainers.
My mechanic has said every lifter failure he’s seen on the GM afm/dfm trucks are always ones will high idle times. The direct injected engines really soot up the oil, when they idle a lot, the oil is getting contaminated without having the miles climb. So he’s seen many of the “I change my oil every 5K” trucks with lifter failures, but the hours are always high.
GM should probably add port injection to the direct injection to help minimize that issue, but they probably won’t.
Right on. That said, there have been some with high idle times that have not had lifter failures, but I attribute that to luck.
The HEMI has a similar problem, but the design itself cannot withstand idling. You hear less of HEMI tick issues because RAM does not sell as much as GMC/Chevrolet sell…
Its been proven 0w20 is not for better wear protection its for fuel economy ! The oil pump has to work less harder saving at most a %.02 increase in fuel economy ! Ive spoken with a few oil engineers over time and they also agree and most still use nothing lower than a 5w30 in there own personal vehicles ! Project farm also proved this out a few times !
I have spoken to a few oil engineers as well who said the 0w20 oil is needed for the tight tolerances and clearances associated with the motor. It moves faster and easier and in hot vehicles with synthetic oil that isn’t as susceptible to breaking down is the way to go. See how easy it is to lie on the internet? My oil engineers I have spoken with are far more experienced and educated than yours…
All is going according to Mary Mediocrity Barra’s plan.
Use 5W30, 0W20 is another disaster like dfm to make the government happy
I know a few that have the 6.2 have drain the oil and only put back in 1 qt and run the engine until it blows up and made gm pay for a new engine,lol
That pretty stupid on their part. When the customer recall bulletin finally comes out and the customers engine passes the inspection, GM is going to put a 10yr/150,000 mile special coverage on the engine. If the engine doesn’t pass the inspection, the engine is replaced and you just get the balance of the powertrain warranty. I’m hoping mine passes the inspection. I’d rather have the coverage and its transferable to the next owner.
0w40 is a thicker oil when warm and will protect better as a result. I have used 0w40 in my older 6.2s I have had, no issues. If you are out of warrenty, 0w40 would be the way I go, even a 5w30. It will protect better. Thicker oil film=better protection on moving parts=longer potential engine life.
Would 0W40 be what is known as ‘motor honey’ ?
I have a problem with my 2019 Sierra 1500 6.2 using a 1qt and a half of oil between a 3000 mile oil change I don’t think that’s wright. But gm say that’s the way the government has them sit up.
It’s important to remember, GM pioneered engineering-out quality.
Nothing will make a GM engine that is intentionally designed to fail, last.
Good point but wouldn’t one think People will stop buying a GM made vehicle. Because of that engineering mentality.