GM 6.2L V8 Oil Recall
General Motors recalled certain 2021–2024 Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac vehicles equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 because manufacturing defects involving connecting-rod and crankshaft components can lead to engine damage, seizure and loss of propulsion.
GM L87 Recall at a Glance
NHTSA safety recall covering certain 2021–2024 L87-equipped vehicles.
General Motors' primary recall campaign number.
GM's estimated percentage of recalled vehicles containing the defect—not a measured lifetime failure rate.
NHTSA investigation into engine failures reported after the recall remedy.
Why the 3% number needs context
GM estimated that approximately 3% of the recalled population contains the identified manufacturing defect.
In the same federal recall filing, GM reported 28,102 U.S. field complaints or incidents potentially related to L87 crankshaft, connecting-rod or bearing failure, including 14,332 allegations of loss of propulsion.
That does not establish the final real-world failure rate, but it does mean the 3% figure should not be read as "only 3% of these engines fail."
What Is Wrong With the GM 6.2L L87?
GM identified manufacturing problems involving connecting-rod bearings and crankshafts—not simply the oil originally specified for the engine.
Rod-Bearing Contamination
GM identified rod-bearing damage associated with sediment on connecting rods and inside crankshaft oil galleries.
Contamination in a plain-bearing lubrication system can interfere with the oil film separating the crankshaft journal from the bearing surface.
Out-of-Spec Crankshafts
GM also identified crankshafts with dimensions or surface finishes outside specification.
Incorrect journal dimensions or finish can increase bearing load and reduce the margin available for maintaining a stable lubricating film.
This matters when people blame 0W-20.
Oil viscosity affects film thickness, but engine oil cannot machine an out-of-spec crankshaft back to size or remove manufacturing contamination from a defective assembly.
How the L87 Recall Developed
March 2021 – May 2024
GM identified this as the suspect manufacturing period associated with affected engines.
April 2025
GM initiated Safety Recall N252494000. NHTSA assigned campaign number 25V274.
Recall Remedy Begins
Dealers inspect affected engines. Depending on the inspection result, the remedy can involve engine repair or replacement, or higher-viscosity oil for engines that pass inspection.
January 16, 2026
NHTSA opened Recall Query RQ26001 after receiving complaints alleging engine failure after Recall 25V274 had already been completed.
February 2026
NHTSA's investigation expanded as additional reports of post-remedy L87 engine failures were reviewed.
Which GM Vehicles Are Included?
Recall 25V274 applies to certain 2021–2024 GM vehicles equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8. Individual eligibility is VIN-specific.
| Vehicle | Model Years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| GMC Yukon | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| GMC Yukon XL | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| Cadillac Escalade | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
| Cadillac Escalade ESV | 2021–2024 | 6.2L L87 |
The model and year alone do not determine recall status. Confirm the individual VIN through GM or NHTSA.
What Does GM Do Under the Recall?
GM's remedy starts with an inspection. What happens next depends on the engine's inspection result.
Engine Does Not Pass
Depending on the applicable GM procedure, the engine may require repair or replacement.
Engine Passes
Engines that pass the applicable recall inspection can receive higher-viscosity engine oil rather than engine replacement.
Updated Oil Specification
Follow the specification assigned after the recall procedure rather than assuming every L87 now uses the same oil.
Why Did GM Move Some L87 Engines to 0W-40?
The higher-viscosity oil is part of GM's remedy for engines that pass the applicable inspection.
A 40-grade oil maintains greater viscosity at engine operating temperature than a 20-grade oil. Under comparable conditions, that can increase oil-film thickness between heavily loaded components.
But that does not mean GM determined that factory-specified 0W-20 caused the original manufacturing defect.
Bottom line
Do not automatically convert every L87 to 0W-40. Follow the completed recall procedure, updated oil cap and current application information for the actual engine installed in the vehicle.
Why Are Some Owners on Their Third or Fourth Engine?
Owner communities contain reports of trucks and SUVs receiving two, three or even four engines. Those experiences are understandably alarming.
Owner reports cannot be converted directly into a reliable fleet-wide failure rate. The same failure may be discussed on several platforms and online communities naturally contain more people experiencing problems than people whose engines are operating normally.
But post-recall failures cannot simply be dismissed either.
What we know
- GM estimated approximately 3% of recalled vehicles contain the identified defect.
- GM reported 28,102 potentially related U.S. field complaints or incidents.
- 14,332 involved allegations of loss of propulsion.
- NHTSA subsequently opened RQ26001 to investigate reported failures after the recall remedy.
- Reports include vehicles that received both oil-change remedies and replacement-engine remedies.
GM's 3% estimate is not the same thing as a measured lifetime failure rate.
Until the investigation produces a final conclusion, assigning an exact real-world failure rate would be speculation.
NHTSA Is Investigating Failures After Recall Repairs
NHTSA opened Recall Query RQ26001 to determine whether the remedy for Recall 25V274 adequately addresses the L87 safety defect.
Reported post-remedy failures include allegations involving vehicles that received the higher-viscosity oil remedy as well as vehicles that received replacement engines.
What RQ26001 means
An investigation is not the same as a finding that GM's remedy is defective. It means NHTSA has received enough information to formally examine whether the existing recall remedy is adequate.
10-Year / 150,000-Mile L87 Coverage
GM also issued Special Coverage N252494003 for qualifying affected vehicles.
Qualifying engine failures caused by the specified connecting-rod or crankshaft condition may be covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the original in-service date.
Vehicle eligibility is VIN-specific.
Keep recall paperwork, replacement-engine documentation, oil-change receipts and repair orders. That documentation becomes especially important if another engine problem appears after recall work.
Possible Signs of an L87 Engine Problem
Watch and Listen For
- Heavy knocking or bottom-end noise
- Oil-pressure warning
- Check-engine warning
- Reduced engine power
- Abnormal vibration
Serious Failure Signs
- Sudden loss of propulsion
- Engine seizure
- Engine stalls and will not restart
- Severe metallic engine noise
- Rapid loss of oil pressure
Severe bottom-end noise or loss of oil pressure can indicate major internal engine damage. Continuing to operate the engine can turn a developing failure into a complete engine failure.
Oil Specification and Engine Defect Are Two Different Problems
Engine bearings depend on a stable pressurized oil film to keep loaded metal surfaces separated.
Oil viscosity matters. Oil quality matters. Cleanliness matters.
But even excellent oil cannot correct a crankshaft journal manufactured outside specification. It cannot repair an already damaged bearing, and it cannot undo manufacturing contamination.
The engine is recalled. The oil is part of the remedy.
That is the distinction owners need to understand when discussing the GM 6.2L V8 oil recall.
I would document everything.
I would verify the VIN, confirm exactly which recall procedure was completed, confirm the oil specification now assigned to that engine and keep every repair order.
If the engine had already been replaced once, I would be even more diligent about maintaining a complete service history.
Choosing Oil After the L87 Recall
The correct oil depends on the recall result and the actual engine currently installed in the vehicle.
Do not choose oil from the original model-year specification alone after recall work has been completed.
Use the updated oil cap, current GM service information and current vehicle application data.
Do not let the internet choose the viscosity.
The correct viscosity follows the specific engine and completed recall procedure—not a blanket rule for every GM 6.2L L87.
GM 6.2L V8 Oil Recall FAQ
Is the GM 6.2L recall actually an oil recall?
No. It is an L87 engine safety recall. The higher-viscosity oil change is one part of the remedy for qualifying engines.
Did 0W-20 cause the L87 failures?
GM's recall documents do not identify 0W-20 as the root cause. GM identified manufacturing conditions involving bearing contamination and crankshafts with dimensions or surface finishes outside specification.
Is the failure rate really only 3%?
Three percent is GM's estimated percentage of the recalled population containing the identified defect. It is not a measured lifetime engine-failure rate.
Are replacement L87 engines failing?
NHTSA is investigating allegations of post-remedy engine failures, including reports involving vehicles that received replacement engines.
What is the GM L87 recall number?
The main GM campaign is N252494000. The corresponding NHTSA safety recall is 25V274.
Which vehicles are included?
Certain 2021–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban; GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 are included. Eligibility is VIN-specific.
Does every recalled L87 now use 0W-40?
No. The proper oil depends on the recall result and engine currently installed. Follow the updated oil cap and current service information.
Is NHTSA investigating the recall remedy?
Yes. NHTSA opened Recall Query RQ26001 to evaluate the adequacy of Recall 25V274 after receiving reports of engine failures following completed recall remedies.
Does GM provide extended coverage?
GM Special Coverage N252494003 provides qualifying vehicles coverage for certain engine failures for 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the original in-service date.
What should I do if my L87 starts knocking?
Have the engine inspected. Severe knocking, loss of oil pressure or seizure can indicate major internal engine damage.
Verify the Recall Before Choosing the Oil
Check the VIN, confirm what recall work was performed and use the oil specification assigned to the engine currently in the vehicle.