GM 6.2 Engine Recall (25V-274): Has GM Fixed the L87? NHTSA's 2026 Investigation, Explained

Updated October 15, 2026. GM recall 25V-274 covers 597,571 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV with the 6.2L V8, engine code L87. The free fix is an engine test at a GM dealer: engines that pass get thicker 0W-40 oil, and engines that fail get a replacement engine.

The fix has not stopped every failure. On August 20, 2026, NHTSA opened engineering analysis EA26005 into 997,743 L87 vehicles from 2021 to 2026. It cites 499 owner complaints of engines failing after the fix and 191 failures in engines built after the recall window. Everything below comes from GM's filings with NHTSA and NHTSA's own investigation records, linked in the sources at the end.

Which Vehicles Are in the GM 6.2 Engine Recall?

The recall covers eight models from the 2021-2024 model years. Each one has the 6.2L V8 gas engine (GM option code L87) and was built between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. GM's recall report gives these counts:

Two things decide whether your vehicle is in:

• The build date, not the model year. GM used its manufacturing records to pick the vehicles built inside the suspect window. Vehicles outside that window, and vehicles with other engines, are not part of the recall.

• The VIN. The reliable answer is a lookup at NHTSA.gov/recalls or in GM's Owner Center. Chevrolet and GMC owners can also call GM at 1-866-467-9700, and Cadillac owners at 1-800-333-4223.

GM estimates that 3% of the recalled vehicles have the defect. The remedy starts with a test, and only engines that fail it get replaced.

Not in the Recall, but Under Investigation

A "no open recalls" result does not mean NHTSA has cleared your engine. Its records show two open investigations that reach beyond the recall:

• EA26005, opened August 20, 2026, looks at L87 engines that failed after the recall fix and at engines built after May 31, 2024, including 2025 and 2026 models.

• EA25007, opened October 23, 2025, looks at 286,051 L87 trucks and SUVs built outside the recall's window. NHTSA's list for it covers 2019-2021 and 2024 Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 pickups and 2021 and 2024 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Escalade and Escalade ESV.

An investigation is not a recall. Nothing is free because of it, and NHTSA has not reached a finding on these later engines. But the complaints count. If your engine fails, a complaint to NHTSA adds your case to the record they are reviewing.

What Goes Wrong Inside the L87

Each piston drives the crankshaft through a connecting rod. Where the rod wraps around the crankshaft, it rides on a thin bearing that floats on a film of oil. GM's teardowns found two supplier problems in engines built during the window:

• Sediment left in the connecting rods and in the crankshaft's oil passages, which damaged the rod bearings.

• Crankshafts machined out of specification, both in their dimensions and in their surface finish.

Either one can damage a rod bearing. NHTSA's investigators describe what owners reported next: knocking and growling from the bottom of the engine, and in some cases a broken connecting rod and a failed engine. An engine that fails while you drive loses propulsion. GM says the failure does not cause an abrupt stop and leaves the driver able to coast to the side of the road, but losing power in traffic is why this is a safety recall.

Warning signs GM lists before a failure:

• Knocking, banging or other unusual engine noises

• The check engine light coming on

• Hesitation, high RPMs, abnormal shifting or reduced power

• An engine that won't start

How big the problem was before the recall: GM counted 28,102 field complaints or incidents in the US that may relate to L87 crankshaft, connecting rod or bearing failure, received between April 29, 2021 and February 3, 2025. Of those, 14,332 alleged a loss of propulsion. GM also identified 12 alleged crashes and 12 alleged injuries that may be related. It describes the injuries as minor or non-physical.

How the Recall Fix Works at the Dealer

GM's dealer bulletin for the recall, revision 13 from May 2026, lays out the steps. Revision 13 is the version that replaced all earlier ones:

• First, the dealer confirms the VIN is open in GM's warranty system.

• A P0016 code or an engine that won't run goes straight to a replacement engine.

• A previously replaced engine gets its build date checked on a sticker on the engine. An engine built after June 1, 2024 needs nothing more.

• Everyone else gets the vibration test. The technician bolts a test sensor to the side of the engine and runs GM's L87 PicoScope test. The software raises the engine to 2,000 RPM, waits until the oil reaches 90°C, records the engine's vibration and returns PASS or FAIL.

• FAIL means a replacement engine. GM's bulletin allows about 18 hours of labor for the swap, so plan on days without the vehicle, not hours.

• PASS means an oil change to dexos 0W-40, a new oil filter, a new oil fill cap marked for 0W-40, and an insert for the owner's manual. Since May 1, 2026, GM only reimburses dealers for this oil change when it uses Mobil 1 FS 0W-40.

Why thicker oil? GM's own answer in its dealer FAQ is one sentence: "The thicker viscosity oil offers an increased further level of protection." GM does not publish more detail than that. GM's replacement engines use connecting rods and crankshafts made after the supplier's suspect window.

Courtesy Transportation While the Vehicle Is Down

In a July 7, 2026 message to dealers, GM said courtesy transportation can be offered to recall customers both inside and outside the factory powertrain warranty. It lists shuttles, ride-hailing or public transit reimbursement, loaners and rental vehicles. Ask for it when you book, especially if the engine fails the test.

After the Fix: Your Engine Needs 0W-40 for Life

This rule lasts long after the recall visit. GM's service bulletin 25-NA-339 from November 2025 says that once an L87 passes the test and gets 0W-40, "the engine must use 0W40 dexos oil products for all future oil change services."

• Read the oil fill cap. A passed engine gets a new cap that identifies the oil grade it now requires, 0W-40.

• Tell whoever changes your oil. A quick lube, a dealer or an independent shop like ours should fill it with the grade on the cap.

• Replacement engines are different. If GM replaced your engine, use the grade on its cap. GM's FAQ for engines replaced under recall N252494002 lists dexos 0W-20.

• Keep the receipts. Oil change records showing the right grade are part of your engine's history if you ever need to use GM's coverage.

GM's 10-Year / 150,000-Mile Engine Coverage

Yes, there is extended coverage, and it is written down. GM's owner letter and its special coverage bulletin N252494003 say the same thing:

• What it covers: an engine failure caused by this connecting rod and crankshaft condition. The engine is repaired or replaced at no charge.

• How long: 10 years from the date the vehicle was first placed in service, or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

• Who: the vehicle, regardless of ownership. A used L87 truck or SUV keeps the coverage.

• Where: GM dealers only. Repairs done anywhere else do not qualify.

• What it does not cover: diagnosis or repair of any other engine problem.

• Service contracts: for vehicles with an extended service contract, GM's bulletin says repair orders dated on or after May 23, 2025 are handled under this special coverage.

GM's letter ties the extra protection to getting the recall inspection done, so book it if your VIN still shows the recall open.

Already Paid for an Engine Repair?

GM offers reimbursement for repairs for this condition completed before your recall letter was mailed. That includes vehicles already past 10 years or 150,000 miles. Fill out the reimbursement form that came with the letter and give it to a GM dealer with the repair order, proof of payment and the VIN. You can also mail it to GM's Reimbursement Department, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170.

Has GM Fixed the 6.2 Engine? What NHTSA's Investigation Says

Short answer: not conclusively, and the federal file is still open. GM says crankshaft and connecting rod manufacturing improvements made on or before June 1, 2024 addressed the contamination and quality problems for later engines. NHTSA's investigation now covers both questions: whether the recall fix works, and whether the later engines are fine.

What NHTSA cited when it opened EA26005 on August 20, 2026:

• 499 owner complaints of engine failure after the recall fix. 473 of them were after the 0W-40 oil change. 26 were after a replacement engine.

• 191 failures in L87 engines built after May 31, 2024, outside the recall's production window. NHTSA widened the investigation to include those engines.

• 6,953 complaints of engine failure after the fix, as reported by GM itself.

• 997,743 vehicles in scope: 2021-2026 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Escalade and Escalade ESV with the L87.

On September 15, 2026, NHTSA sent GM a formal information request citing 946 reports of L87 engine failure. GM's response is due October 30, 2026. No outcome had been announced as of October 15, 2026, so the answer for 2025 and 2026 engines is still pending.

If Your Engine Fails After the Recall Fix

This is what most of the complaints in NHTSA's 2026 file describe: 499 of the 690 it cited were failures after the fix. Here is the order to work through it:

• Get off the road and don't keep driving a knocking engine. Coast to a safe spot, shut it off and have it towed.

• Call a GM dealer first. A failure from this condition within 10 years or 150,000 miles is covered by special coverage N252494003. Bring or ask for your recall repair order and your oil change records.

• Ask for courtesy transportation while the vehicle is down, per GM's July 2026 dealer message.

• File a complaint with NHTSA at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA opened recall query RQ26001 after reviewing 36 of these owner complaints.

• If the dealer doesn't fix it in a reasonable time, GM's owner letter tells you to send a written complaint to NHTSA or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. GM's dealer bulletin also reminds dealers that under federal law, failing to repair a recalled vehicle within 60 days after the owner brings it in is prima facie evidence of not repairing it in a reasonable time.

Where an Independent Shop Fits

The recall test, the 0W-40 oil change, a replacement engine under the recall and a repair under the 10-year / 150,000-mile coverage are free at GM dealers. Don't pay anyone, including us, for work GM covers.

Rohnert Park Transmission comes in for the L87 cases GM's programs don't reach:

• Engines outside the recall and its coverage, such as a 2019-2020 Silverado or Sierra, once the factory warranty has run out

• Engines past 10 years or 150,000 miles, where GM's special coverage ends

• A second opinion on an L87 that the recall doesn't cover, or after a dealer says GM's programs don't apply

• A rebuild or replacement engine when GM won't cover it: a rebuilt, remanufactured or used engine, matched to your engine family so the swap counts as a replacement under California's Bureau of Automotive Repair rules

• Buying a used 2021-2026 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon or Escalade: run the VIN, read the oil fill cap, ask for the recall repair order, and get a pre-purchase inspection

We test the engine first, then lay out the options that actually fit your vehicle, in writing, before any work starts. Our ASE-certified technicians work on Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac trucks and SUVs from across Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties. We're at 305 Laguna Dr in Rohnert Park. See our engine repair, rebuilds and replacement engines page for how the choice is made, get a pre-purchase inspection before you buy, or call (707) 584-7727. For everything else on these trucks, see Chevrolet repair in Rohnert Park, GMC repair and Cadillac repair.

Is the 5.3 Engine Part of This Recall?

No. GM's recall report says vehicles equipped with other engines are not included, and NHTSA's L87 investigations are about the 6.2L only. Older GM 6.2 engines from before the L87 are not in it either. The 5.3L V8 has its own history, mainly lifter failures and oil consumption, which our Chevy Silverado engine problems guide covers by model year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GM 6.2 engine recall?

It is NHTSA recall 25V-274 (GM recall N252494000), filed April 24, 2025. It covers 597,571 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV with the 6.2L V8 (L87) built from March 1, 2021 to May 31, 2024. GM says connecting rod and crankshaft manufacturing defects can damage the engine and cause it to fail, which cuts power and increases the risk of a crash.

Which years are in the GM 6.2 recall?

Model years 2021 through 2024, and only vehicles with the L87 6.2L V8 built between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024. A 2019 or 2020 Silverado or Sierra, a 2025 or 2026 model, or an engine built after May 31, 2024 is not in the recall, but NHTSA is investigating those engines in EA25007 and EA26005. Run your VIN to be sure.

Has GM fixed the 6.2 engine problems in 2026?

Not conclusively. GM says manufacturing improvements made on or before June 1, 2024 addressed the cause. But on August 20, 2026 NHTSA opened engineering analysis EA26005 after 499 complaints of engines failing after the recall fix and 191 failures in engines built after May 31, 2024. GM itself reported 6,953 complaints of failure after the fix. GM's answers to NHTSA are due October 30, 2026, and no outcome had been announced as of October 15, 2026.

Is there an extended warranty for the GM 6.2 recall?

Yes. GM's special coverage N252494003 repairs or replaces the engine at no charge if it fails from this condition within 10 years of the date the vehicle was first placed in service or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, regardless of ownership. The repair has to be done by a GM dealer, and it does not cover other engine problems.

How do I check if my truck or SUV is in the 6.2 recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or in GM's Owner Center at experience.gm.com/ownercenter/recalls. GM used manufacturing records to pick the vehicles, so the model year alone does not settle it.

What oil does a 6.2 L87 need after the recall?

Use the grade printed on the oil fill cap. Engines that pass GM's test get dexos 0W-40 and a new cap marked for it, and GM's bulletin 25-NA-339 says those engines must use dexos 0W-40 at every oil change from then on. GM's FAQ for engines replaced under recall N252494002 lists dexos 0W-20.

Is it safe to drive a recalled 6.2 before the fix?

GM has not issued a park-it or park-outside order for this recall. GM says the failure does not cause an abrupt stop and lets the driver coast to the side of the road, but losing power raises the risk of a crash. If the engine knocks, bangs, hesitates or turns on the check engine light, stop driving it and have it towed to a GM dealer.

Is there a recall on the 5.3 Chevy engine?

Not under recall 25V-274. GM's recall report says vehicles with other engines are not included, and NHTSA's two open L87 investigations are about the 6.2L L87 only. Run your VIN for any other open recall on your truck.

Is the 5.3 or the 6.2 the better engine?

This recall and NHTSA's investigations cover only the 6.2L L87, so they say nothing about the 5.3. The 5.3 has its own documented lifter and oil consumption problems, covered in our Silverado engine guide. For a specific truck, the VIN history, the oil fill cap and an inspection tell you more than the engine size.

What are the current Chevrolet recalls on my vehicle?

Every open recall on a Chevrolet shows up when you enter the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls or in GM's Owner Center. That lookup covers this engine recall and any others, such as the separate GM 10-speed transmission recall on some Silverado and Sierra pickups.

Can an independent shop do the GM 6.2 recall?

No. The recall test, the oil change, any replacement engine under the recall and repairs under the 10-year / 150,000-mile special coverage are free and done only by GM dealers. An independent shop helps with what the recall and coverage do not reach, such as engines outside GM's coverage or a second opinion.

Sources

• GM Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V-274, July 22, 2025: vehicle counts by model, production dates, root causes, warning signs, complaint figures, the 3% estimate and the production fix.

• GM owner letter for recall N252494000, June 2025: the remedy, the roughly 1-hour service time, the 10-year / 150,000-mile coverage, reimbursement and GM's phone numbers. GM's interim letter gives the Owner Center recall lookup.

• GM dealer bulletin N252494000, revision 13, May 2026: the P0016 and no-start rule, the PicoScope test, the engine build-date check, the 0W-40 oil change and labor times.

• GM special coverage bulletin N252494003, revision 4, May 2026: coverage terms, transfer to later owners and service contract claims.

• GM service bulletin 25-NA-339, November 2025: 0W-40 for all future oil changes after a passed test.

• GM dealer FAQs for N252494001 and N252494002: driving safety, why thicker oil, and the oil grade for replacement engines.

• GM dealer messages of November 4, 2025 (launch complete) and July 7, 2026 (courtesy transportation).

• GM Recall Quarterly Report, July 21, 2026: 508,188 vehicles remedied.

• NHTSA investigation records: PE25001 opening and closing, EA25007 opening, RQ26001 opening, EA26005 opening and the EA26005 information request to GM, September 15, 2026.

Bottom Line

If you drive a 2021-2024 GM truck or SUV with the 6.2L L87, run the VIN, get the free test at a GM dealer, and keep the engine on the oil grade printed on its cap. GM's coverage runs 10 years or 150,000 miles for failures from this condition, at GM dealers. Watch NHTSA's EA26005 for what comes after GM answers on October 30, 2026. For L87 engines outside GM's programs anywhere in Sonoma, Marin or Napa County, call Rohnert Park Transmission at (707) 584-7727.