Had an unwelcome, sudden freeze-up with your Chevy or GM pickup, or full-size SUV? You aren’t the only one. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reports of 39 rigs equipped with the GM 6.2L “L87” engines that have suddenly come to grief with engine seizures, apparently related to connecting rod issues. It’s all led to NHTSA opening its GMC engine failure investigation, and it can use your help.
The agency has launched a preliminary evaluation (PE25001) (pdf) into safety issues that could reach the stage of a product recall. The target group in the investigation includes more than 877,000 units manufactured between 2019 and 2024.
GMC engine failure investigation involves six model years
The NHTSA’s inquiry covers vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine, specifically:
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2019-2024)
- Chevrolet Tahoe (2021-2024)
- Chevrolet Suburban (2021-2024)
- GMC Sierra 1500 (2019-2024)
- GMC Yukon/Yukon XL (2021-2024)
- Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV (2021-2024)
NHTSA’s investigation follows the filing of 39 complaints of engine fails. This is not a simple inconvenience matter. The failures can lead to what the agency describes as “catastrophic engine damage,” including engine seizures and “connecting rod breaches in the engine block.”
Drivers can be overtaken with these issues without warning. No strange noises, no dash-warnings, just “wham!” Under these circumstances, the vehicle suddenly loses power, making a crash more likely.
NHTSA looking into these things
While no crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities have been reported, NHTSA has opened this investigation to evaluate:
- The frequency of reported GMC engine failures.
- The potential safety risks posed by this issue.
- Whether a safety-related defect exists that warrants corrective action.
The findings of this evaluation could lead to further actions, such as a recall or additional engineering analysis.
Here’s what you can do for now
Do you have one of these beasts? Here’s what you can do. Keep an eye open for communications from GM and/or NHTSA. At present there is no official recall or repair campaign. However, you should:
- Report engine-related issues to the NHTSA via their Vehicle Complaint Form on NHTSA.gov.
- Visit your GM dealership for inspections if you experience unusual engine performance.
NHTSA’s investigation will assess the extent of the GMC engine failure issue and determine whether a recall or other corrective measures are necessary.
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Over the years GM has taught me to avoid their vehicles. Our little Chevy Celebrity had problems. Our diesel Oldsmobile engine, like all the diesel Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs, failed. I was able to save the car by having a gasoline engine installed. Our 1987 Bounder on a Chevy chassis was good for it time except that the blazing hot exhaust manifold surrounded each spark plug and would burn spark plugs wires which then failed. Also, the manifolds would warp or crack, or both, leading to replacement again and again. After GM disappointed me three out of three times I have avoided future anguish by sticking with other brands.
Thank you for the warning, Russ and Tina! This seems extremely dangerous because there is no warning AND the engine just stops running. Seems those in such a disabled vehicle would be susceptible to rear-end collissions in addition to front-end collissions. I am thankful to not own any of the listed vehicles. Have a great day and safe travels!
Never owned a GM product that did not have electrical issues…this going back to the 50’s.
Going back to the ‘60s, never a GM electrical problem.
Recalls will soon be a thing of the past.
“ Here’s what you can do for now…” In short we can do nuttin’ right now.