General Motors is facing yet another class action lawsuit targeting the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine. The L87 can be found under the hood of a broad variety of GM full-size trucks and SUVs, with the latest lawsuit pointing to models produced between the 2019 and 2024 model years.
Per a report from CarComplaints, the new lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and alleges that GM’s recall efforts fail to fix the underlying mechanical issues, potentially leaving tens of thousands of affected vehicles vulnerable to engine failure.
The lawsuit includes the following L87-equipped GM vehicles:
- 2021 – 2024 Cadillac Escalade
- 2021 – 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2019 – 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500
- 2021 – 2024 Chevy Tahoe
- 2021 – 2024 Chevy Suburban
- 2019 – 2024 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2021 – 2024 GMC Yukon
- 2021 – 2024 GMC Yukon XL
The core issue involves internal engine components, namely the crankshaft and rod bearings, which allegedly cannot withstand the thermal and mechanical loads of the engine, leading to excessive wear and possible failure, thus increasing the risk of an accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the issue earlier this year following a series of consumer complaints. In response, GM initiated a recall in April covering nearly 598,000 vehicles.
The recall protocol includes scanning for diagnostic trouble code P0016, which, if present, would lead to either a repair or a replacement engine. If the code is noy present, dealers are instructed to perform an oil change with a thicker-grade oil and a revised oil fill cap.
The plaintiffs argue that GM’s fix is insufficient, and that the automaker is essentially replacing the defective engines with identical power units that contain the same flawed components, offering only a temporary fix. Most owners, they claim, are not receiving new engines at all, just the oil change, which does not correct the defective part issues.
The lawsuit also criticizes GM’s handling of the recall, stating that many vehicle owners were never notified of the defect, while others report significant depreciation in vehicle value due to the ongoing mechanical concerns.
Comments
3% failure rate X another 3% is .0009. at that point, maybe your the problem. Just saw a rebuild last night of a Cummins (allegedly most reliable diesel out there in some peoples mind, but definitely not mine) that the owner clearly didn’t change the oil, maybe ever, and replaced the coolant with strait water. Even the mighty fall with that level of abuse
3% of a big number is a big number. GM should be very ashamed of the poor quality drivetrains they have been producing lately. They used to build good quality engines and transmissions.
What other GM engines have problems? This 6.2 is the only one I am aware since the 2.4 valve issue which our 2012 Equinox had. GM did a very good job on that issue, our old Equinox now has a totally new top end on the engine for nothing.
The 5.3 has had pretty well documented lifter problems and lots of 2000’s-2010’s had excessive oil consumption issues.
That’s wrong, I’ve owned nothing but gm vehicles, plenty of 1999 to 2006 and none of those years ever had oil consumption issues , you need to get your facts straight, oil consumption started in 2007 and later truck engines, worked at a chevy dealership and performed one on a 2009 so I would now
*straight
Following in Ford’s footsteps on this one. Ford’s replacement engines have had issues too.
Maybe we need to resurrect 350’s, 400’s, and 454’s? They were pretty reliable.
The lawsuit is justified. This is nothing more than GM failing to stand behind their product like usual with a band aid fix. Lifter issues for 15 years and they haven’t fixed it because all the faithful line up to pay $1200 month for a “trail boss” And this is a separate and distinct issue from the lifters- more than 3 percent. If it was 3 percent the dealers could have them replaced in days but people are waiting months and months. They’ll be offloaded as soon as they get fixed but they GM faithful will turn around and sign on the dotted line
There hasn’t been lifter issues for 15 years, stop the lies. In the early years there was some higher than average failures with a newer technology which has long been. Then there was about a year of lifter bore issues due to manufacturing, that has been solved. Any failures now are rare, nothing different than of the other competitors having an internal or major part failure. Shesh, some people like to hang on some out dated information. Let me guess, Toyota is the same company it was back in the 80’s and 90’s right? Are you also going to say the 3.6 has been a constant failure due to timing chains that has long since been resolved? Update your info before trying to make an point, it might be valid next time…
I own several Silverado’s from 2008-2018 and all have the 6.2 (ex 2008 6.0). Up until this point only my 2018 has not had the lifters replaced. But they are beginning to fail at 169000 miles. I drive and use my trucks as they should be used as I drive the hell out of them and pull heavy loads. I have always maintained my vehicles to manufacturers specs. I also own a 2024 Tahoe High Country with a 6.2. Hopefully it will last as long as my other vehicles did without having to replace the lifters. Get rid of DOM and this issue will go away. BTW, my 2008 Silverado has over 600,000 miles and is still going strong.
This lawsuit has NO Victims, and No Harm. This lawsuit is NOT about GM Doing a recall. Its about non tangible ideas about value, etc, DRAMA. If they think replacement engines are bad, why are the 2025 engines doing quite well? Whine, whine, whine..
Exactly, I thought same thing. The replacement engines are of those that were made AFTER the issue was found and fixed in production process. GM is not replacing engines that have same issue. I’d say to anyone that wants a 6.2 truck, just wait. They are going to be a dime a dozen real soon. Sold by those owners who are misinformed or too stupid to understand the facts. As far as the engines who get oil cap and heavier oil, your getting a 10 year warranty. Stop whining.
I think the extended warranty, if true, is a reasonable solution. 10 years if nothing happens it most likely wont.
Agree, if you have a 6.2 truck with a 10 year warranty, keep it.
*you’re
I was going to trade my 2024 sierra denali in for a 2025, they said they can’t do anything until the recall is cleared and mine is not allowed to be done yet based on serial number. So the service manager said the only way I can rid of it is if I take it to a competitor.
That still is not a viable solution.A Ford or Dodge dealer cannot sell your GM tradein until the correction has been completed.GM will not honor recall procedures for competitors.Wholesalers aren’t buying either.I speak from experience as a retired dealer.
Bring it to my dealership. We’ll take it on trade! GM is reimbursing the dealerships for lost sales due to the vehicles sitting on the lots waiting on parts.
Not true, ijust traded a 22 sierra slt with a 6.2 for a 25 Denali 6.2 and got a very fair trade value
I also have a 2024 Sierra Denali it’s not right we all paid what they wanted for these trucks. GM has to step up to the plate.
Hi This is Kevin Cahanin Mgr In Lafayette, La. We can Take your trade and you can get another if you wish. Thanks
Politics will decide if the hapless buyers of 6.2 engines get the relief they deserve…Big money buys verdicts.
What about your 6.2 ltr engines used in GM Holdens in Australia, same motor but no recall here WHY?
Different engine. No “LT” motor ever made it to Australia. They were all “LS”
Plus the last Holden rolled off the line in 2017.
These types of lawsuits and NHTSA are the only things keeping gm accountable in this debacle. Even at “only 3% failure rate”, you can see how blind the fanboys are here. Meanwhile real customers have lost real value in time, money, and stress with this disaster. gm is only reacting because the cost of not reacting has gotten too high. But as others have said, no shortage of sheep to spend $1000+ month.
These motors were used all the way back to 2015 i just replaced my escalade engine with the same L87 motor problems. What about those of us that GM is blatantly ignoring?
RON B…..Their reputation is taking a big hit by not doing everything possible to help those who bought vehicles with 6.2 engines. The very least they initially can do is furnish those buyers with cost free rental cars until the matter is resolved.
I spent the better part of $1000 on a rental while waiting on a dealer “repair” of my van’s 6.2 engine. You certainly have my vote for your solution.
The factory GM extended warranty used to cover temporary replacement transportation costs (loaner or rental).
LES…..I am the third generation owner of my family’s business. Family owned for over 100 years. If I treated our customers the way GM has treated theirs we would have closed years ago. But there again I do not have a big guaranteed salary with Golden Parachute stock options. I would just be out on the street like some of GM’s management should be. Maybe some of them should take up fishing instead of being a CEO.
You’re confused. The L86(LS) and L87(LT) are two different motors. pre ’20 was L86. L86’s had some random fall out for lifter failure but it wasn’t many. The L87’s have even less lifter issues, this is a bottom end issue. Not sure what year your escalade is, but if its a L86, you don’t have a problem.
Clearly this is turning into a witch hunt by the uninformed. When dealing with manufactured components, its not always the case that each and every part is defective. Now, GM should be able to trace lot codes all the way down to a VIN number. Not sure why they aren’t doing that, but this is basically turning into a situation where the owners basically have their hand out waiting for a new motor which very likely isn’t required.
I agree – If GM can tell me my engine does not have the defective parts, I’m happy. But if it does have defective parts, then let’s replace the engine. (or the parts).
Seems however GM has no idea, except for a 3-year window, or they wouldn’t be replacing the oil. New oil still leaves me with an engine that is somewhat of a ticking time-bomb. This will clearly devalue the car upon resale.
Who wants to join me? Let’s file another lawsuit. All of the 6.2L 2021-2024 engines will fail. My 2022 Yukon is on its second engine and uses three quarts of oil. They replaced the engine with the same engine, which has the same issues. The dealership said it was good to go after it was off the road for three months waiting on parts.
Here is the root cause of the problem. Connecting rods were being shipped from China to Mexico, and a number of them were not heat treated for hardness. So some engines could have good connecting rods and others may have one or two that will start to bend. They just don’t know which engines have the bad connecting rods. The oil change to 40 weight is only to buy time until it they start to bend off center and score the crankshaft bearings. They can’t make enough replacement engines.
Detonation. Keep using unleaded 87 octane, and it will fail.
Not acceptable cut conners poor quality control this is the result This replacement will cost
If I had a 70k new truck with a suspected bad motor, I would definitely want it replaced. If they told me the cure was a different weight oil, I would just ask for my money back or a 200k warranty on the motor.