- The U.S. is looking into multiple reports of failing General Motors 6.2L V8 engines
- The popular powerplants can be found under the hoods of some 877,000 trucks and SUVs Stateside
- The just-launched NHTSA investigation is not a recall, but could lead to one
It is the general expectation that the engine in one’s brand-new pickup truck or SUV, especially one costing close to or over six figures, will not be prone to going bang! prematurely. However, that has been exactly the case over the past few years for many owners of such rigs from General Motors, particularly ones powered by the 6.2L V8 engine internally code-named “L87.”
After receiving a raft of complaints (and following many, manymoreanecdotalexamples posted all over the internet) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in America has opened an active investigation into nearly a million trucks and SUVs assembled by GM with this engine.
Specifically under the microscope are an estimated 877,710 U.S.-market examples of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 (2019-2024); Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade (2021-2024); and Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade ESV (2021-2024).
The problem description is listed as “engine failure resulting from connecting rod bearing failure,” with complainants reporting a bearing failure which may result in either engine seizure or breaching of the engine block by the connecting rod. In what can only be described as a typical-of-government understatement, the feds say this malfunction may result in a “loss of motive power.”
The internet has been awash for some time now with stories about these problems, some of which are being chronicled by mechanics at GM new-car dealerships. One instance alleges engine lifter replacement was ordered on a machine with only 12 miles on its odometer. The person reporting that incident also claims they “do about 3-4 vehicles per week” in terms of this repair.
To be clear, this isn’t a recall. Yet. The Office of Defects Investigation has just opened a preliminary evaluation to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.
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