US safety regulators have expanded their investigation into General Motors’ 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine to cover almost a million trucks and SUVs, after owners reported engines seizing even following last year’s recall repair.
New Delhi: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded an
engineering analysis into General Motors’ naturally aspirated 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine, a move that now
covers roughly 997,743 trucks and SUVs built between the 2021 and 2026 model years. The agency’s Office
of Defects Investigation opened the analysis on August 20, 2026, after owners kept reporting sudden engine
failures even after having the earlier recall fix performed at dealerships.
Quick Answer: NHTSA has widened its probe into GM’s L87 6.2L V8 to about 997,743 vehicles,
including Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade models, because engines are still failing
even after the April 2025 recall repair.
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What Triggered the Expanded Investigation
This is not GM’s first brush with the L87 engine’s problems. NHTSA first opened a preliminary evaluation
in January 2025 covering about 877,710 vehicles after receiving complaints of engines seizing “without
warning.” That probe led GM to recall roughly 597,630 US vehicles in April 2025, citing possible crankshaft,
connecting rod, or engine bearing failure. Dealers were told to inspect engines and, depending on wear,
either repair or replace them; engines that passed inspection instead got higher-viscosity oil, a new oil
cap and a new filter.
The fix has not settled the matter. NHTSA says it has since logged complaints alleging that vehicles which
already went through the recall repair are failing again, and the agency has also picked up reports of L87
failures in engines built after the recall’s original production cutoff. That combination pushed the case
from a standard recall query into a full engineering analysis, NHTSA’s more intensive review stage.
Also Read : 2027 GMC Sierra 1500: 25 Questions Every Truck Buyer Is Asking
Which Vehicles Are Affected
| Brand | Models Involved | Model Years |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe | 2019–2026 |
| GMC | Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL | 2019–2026 |
| Cadillac | Escalade, Escalade ESV | 2021–2026 |
Owners can check whether a specific vehicle is covered by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since
coverage depends on production dates rather than model year alone.
AutoAkhbar Verdict
An engineering analysis is a step below a mandatory recall order, but it is also NHTSA’s way of telling
an automaker that its first fix did not work. For nearly a million GM trucks and SUVs, that is a serious
signal. Owners who already had the recall repair done but are hearing unusual engine noise, seeing a check
engine light, or feeling rough running should get back to a GM dealer rather than assume the job is finished.
We will keep tracking this probe as GM responds.
Source Name : Car and Driver
FAQ
How many GM vehicles are affected by this NHTSA investigation?
The engineering analysis covers approximately 997,743 GM trucks and SUVs built for the 2021 through 2026 model years and fitted with the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine.
Which GM models use the L87 V8 engine under investigation?
The L87 is used in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban and Tahoe, the GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
Did GM already recall these vehicles once before?
Yes. GM recalled about 597,630 US vehicles in April 2025 for the same crankshaft, connecting rod and bearing failure risk, but NHTSA says owner complaints continued after the repair.
