As GM Authority has covered at length, General Motors is recalling nearly 600,000 full-size pickups and SUVs in the U.S. due to an issue with the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine. The recall covers units produced between the 2021 and 2024 model year, and addresses a potential engine defect involving the crankshaft and / or connecting rods that could lead to engine failure and a loss of propulsion. In some cases, the engine will need replacement, and to that end, GM dealers have been instructed to use two specialty tools to diagnose faulty engines.
The first of these two specialty tools is the GM PicoScope. Per GM documents, dealers originally received this “Essential Tool” in 2015. A PicoScope is essentially a digital diagnostic tool used to pinpoint issues in a vehicle’s electrical or engine system. The PicoScope connects to a computer and captures live data signals from various sensors to help track down issues. GM states that dealers must us a GM-branded PicoScope, not an aftermarket equivalent, in order to comply with the official service procedure.
The other specialty tool required is harness GM-60539, which works with the GM PicoScope to diagnose issues related to the L87 engine recall. GM sent this harness out to dealers in May of 2025, allowing GM technicians to perform various engine tests and evaluate L87’s internal components.
Once a defective engine is confirmed using these tools, the replacement process can begin. According to GM’s labor guide, engine replacement can range between 18.2 and 18.6 labor hours, depending on the specific vehicle configuration.
The recall affects approximately 597,630 L87-powered vehicles in the U.S., with an estimated defect rate of three percent, or roughly 17,929 engines. The total worldwide recall figure stands at 721,000 units, with estimates set at approximately 21,630 replacement engines globally.
Vehicles affected by this recall include:
Comments
GM specifying “GM-branded” tools is a normal situation. That it has been 10 years since those PicoScopes were sent to the dealers, it IS very probably that many have been misplaced, left on customer’s cars, or just plain lost. Something they don’t know they need and don’t have until they look for it, I suspect. Many dealers’ service depts do a poor job of keeping track of “Special Tools”, by observation.
The BAD thing is that as soon as a customer reads about a recall, BEFORE the notification letters are sent out, they expect the dealers to have everything needed for THEIR vehicle in stock, which is NEVER the case. Was that way in the 1980s and it still is in current times! So there’s one irritant to good customer service right there. BAD thing is that as the customers expect “quick repairs”, it can take 6 months or more. As they continue to drive their “defective” vehicle. FWIW
Something is seriously wrong if you “loose” the pico scope. And worse wrong if you think you could continue to operate even independently without one for long term. Pico scope is not “special tools” and not nearly only for use in special cases, it’s the thing you buy after the scan tool. On the other hand, maybe dealers don’t actually diagnose vehicles…
I would happily pay to have the oil change to 0-40 oil than risk doing any more damage.And when they find their Pico tool they can test it
Put small blocks in as a replacement.
As few electronics as possible no variable valves. They will last ten years, like they should. Then , out a good 4 speed automatic on the back of it. People will wait in line to buy them
6.2 is basically a small block, just not the old 5.7 etc small block. I do agree that more complicated and less quality controlled is a very bad combination. I would certainly be disappointed if 10 years was a max, my spare vehicle is 25 years old and 265000 mile sierra with a 5.3l and I’d trust it to take me anywhere in the states. Just rebuilt the 4 speed trans. Engine burns a qt and a half per oil change but it’s really not worth complaining about at the miles. I like a 6 speed trans but some of them don’t hold up real well. Just saying 4 speed isn’t a requirement, 25 years and a minimum of 200k is.
I was just saying GM hasn’t really built a great quality vehicle in almost 2 decades.
Gen 1 small blocks would have a hard time reaching 200K miles. They were designed when top highway speeds were 55MPH and you were lucky to get 100K off the original body. A Gen 1 would wear out the bearings and rings way before the gen V would, especially with today’s car weights. The new engines are definitely an improvement.
All in all, the current recall to me is overblown, as this is the only site im seeing it as an issue, and this site also has done a half dozen articles on how GM is “screwing you” because their gas gauge doesn’t display miles to empty once you get below 35 miles. Im pretty sure your fine.
Gen 1 small blocks came out in 1955, the interstate speed limits were not reduced to 55 until January, 1974. Prior to that the speed limits were 70-80 mph depending on where you lived.
Actually i would go with the 6.6 Gas if having issues getting the 6.2 replacement blocks
Some folks are about to recommend that a Proctoscope or Colonoscope be used on GM CEOs, COOs or any of the FLIM FLAM abministration that is running this circus because they have had enough of this S..t of watching GM trying to run from this problem. I like everyone else believe they would rather take their chances in a class action suit.
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Get rid of Mary & start over! Seriously General Motors has been a mess for almost 2 decades now.
First, Federal law REQUIRES an OEM to notify the government and the customer ASAP – that’s why the recall notification comes out before the fix is ready – in many cases.
Second, the Pico Scope is a great tool that many service technicians own. I have one and use it for many diagnostics. It is an incredibly versatile and powerful lab scope tool. It has MANY uses beyond just this recall.
I still think they are all standing around with their fingers crossed hoping that these actions will get them out of this major problem. Personally, I’m not so sure.
I have a 2024 Yukon XL Ultimate. While being very impressed with the redesigned suspension and the return of legroom that GM lost more than 20 years ago, the poor quality of the car is very sad. I purchased the Yukon new from Arnie Bauer GMC Cadillac. Neither GM nor Arnie Bauer will stand behind their own written warranty. I would really like to support our American auto manufactures. However, General Motors has abused me for the last time.
Why is my L 87 in my 2019 Sierra not on the recall list? It is in the generation from 2019-25. It cost me almost $11,000 to replace my 94,000 mile engine with a 27,000 mile used engine after it lost rod bearings.
Cause that’s not the years that have the weak bearings. By the sounds of it you got ripped off. You have it done at a stealership? A used engine replacement should go 6000, not almost 12. you should have a brand new factory engine for that price. Is there a chance whomever is doing your oil was cheating you? 90,000 miles sounds about right for an engine running strait Walmart mineral oil. See me above comment on Gen 1 small blocks. There’s a reason I do all my oil changes.
Yet they haven’t addressed the L86 lifter failure after warranty. They know these engines are going to eat a lifter. Mine did at 97k. I even had the AFM deactivated at 50k. $6800 for new camshaft and lifters. Full delete on the AFM/ DOD gas mileage went from 17mpg to 23mpg. Don’t even ask about the 8 speed…Do better GM, do better!
1. What happens when my engine fails and I’m 1,000 miles away in my camper? Will GM cover the costs of leasing-renting a replacement truck and the costs of my recovery?
2. What’s with this oil thing? They’re implying that the 0-20 may further contribute to damaging my current engine which may not need recall work?
3. When the parts and tools are available, who’s going to send me the letter? How the hell does GM corporate know how many parts vs. clients my dealership is facing (supply v demand)?
4. I’ve already had my recall mentioned by a local used car dealer against a trade. Is GM going to make me whole?
This is FUBAR. I retired from the military in order to avoid FUBAR’s. SNAFU.
1; get the engine tested before traveling. If it passes, your good with the oil change and will have no more chance of the engine failing than any other engine on the road.
2 the extra oil viscosity is due to bearings being too soft. Likely the failure is due to poor chemical mixture, similar to the older babbit bearings. The heavier oil will give enough thickness to protect them. Hence their giving out a 150K engine warranty.
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With a recall as serious as this I do expect my car to be taking care of as soon as possible. it is dangerous. I hate getting the run around when you go to the dealer and ask about and when you can bring your vehicle to be serviced I will put the 0-40 in my vehicle. We are paying way too much money for these vehicles to be getting the run around. After this I will never buy another GM vehicle these vehicles are classy and to be afraid to drive it because of a recall that they keep saying is no remedy is crazy. We are paying too much for these vehicles to be going through this
Yeah its not the only engine, my 2018 equinox just needed a new engine, the turbo blowout and it tucked all the oil into the engine, tge mechanic said it happens all the time with that engine. 8k down the drain.
Should have bought a Toyota RAV4.
My brother bought a brand new 06 RAV4 and it was an oil burner!
Toyota wouldn’t help so never again!
Who here changes their own oil? Last time I paid someone to change oil, it was a transmission flush at a Chevy dealership, and in 15k miles I developed converter shudder. Did a driveway flush and never had issues again. Heck all my vehicles have over 100K, my DD and farm truck all have over 200K, with my traverse almost to 275, original engine and transmission, but I always do my own oils, so I know exactly what’s going in. Your corner quickie lube or stealership might be selling you synthetic then dumping Walmart junk down your pipe. That will fail a Detroit diesel much less a Toyota.
A pico scope displays vibration. We use accelerometers when certifying aircraft engines. Pico Farads converted to G’s. Wonder what the limit is before engine replacement.
You sound like a reasonable person Arleen, but if you are afraid to drive your vehicle with a 6.2L engine covered under this recall, that is an irrational, emotional reaction. Considering the risk from distracted drivers in the smartphone era, the 12 reported injuries related to this issue is a rounding error. If this recall frightens you, I am surprised you ever leave your house.
Using data on engine failures so far and applying statistical analysis GM has determined that you have a 97% chance of having no engine issues. GM is moving as fast as it can to schedule inspections and has added overtime to make more engines available to replace those that do have an issue. GM has offered the oil change as extra insurance out of an abundance of caution. Please tell me, what more should GM be doing in your opinion?
GM is in the business of selling cars so they make them to last 100,000 miles so they can sell you a new , they have 2 sets of parts they use , the good parts for the assembly line and seconds they sell in the part depth. What do you think u will get with a new motor…..
Disagree, as there is a big business pitch to be made that great reliability equates to more new and used sales (used sales help your dealerships and helps trade in value for returning customers) so there’s a massive incentive to have great reliability for most OEM’s. hence Toyota has continuously strong sales as they are perceived as “reliable.” Even though GM consistently outlast them from what I’ve seen. Longest lasting cars on the road still are GM and RAM believe it or not. Might be that their vehicles just keep getting repaired, as their not a bland sedan, but the median age of GM and RAM outperform even Toyota and Honda. BTW, that’s also why I wonder what all these complaints about GM reliability are coming from. Lots of internet annecdotes, but KBB seems to show great reliability from these vehicles, more so than the generations before them.
Evidently GM just doesn’t care what you do with your junk engine. Melt it down and sell it for scrap. Pretend it was stolen after you have run it off in the river and filed for insurance. Then pray the law doesn’t catch up with you….. I’m just kidding but what a kick in the teeth from GM.
Make crap ,,now replace them all
So GM only wants their approved equipment they send to their dealers for diagnosis . Remembering the diesel scandal with VW and other German companies resulting in false emission readings makes me wonder if the GM equipment has a software adjustment to favour the outcome GM wants.
What about my resale value once the word is out about the rod bearings? Almost didn’t buy this GMC due to the lifter issue. So salesman said just keep oil changed it’ll be okWhat do you think?
Just paid 36,000.00 cash to the jim glover dealership in Owasso ok. for a 2018 chevy sierra 1500 High Country, with 86,000 miles on it. Less than 90 days of ownership, the LIFTERS went out. Could not find a recall for the 2018 but did find a group action lawsuit filed on 2016 model to present due to lifters. Dealership told us the 36,000.00 we just paid for our truck was now ONLY WORTH 20,000.00. They refused to swap out for amount paid for our purchase and refused to pay over 7,000.00 to fix our truck. Husband decided to let them fix it and again, pay them cash. I can not find the site I was looking at. I also found a site that I thought was called, “my lemon law”. WHAT DO I DO?
THE PROPLEM is we use garbage metal from CHINA and parts do not last.We should be self contained in our production of materials .