NHTSA begins GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure probe – 870k trucks

Tim Esterdahl

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January 17, 2025
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8 comments

Tim Esterdahl

|

January 17, 2025

|

8 comments

GM 6.2L V-8 engine failures probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is launching a probe into a GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure affecting 870,00 vehicles.

GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure probe

This probe covers certain 2019-2024 Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade vehicles equipped with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine aka L87.

According to a Reuters report, the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation determined the scope and severity of the problem was high enough to take a closer look.
Federal Investigators believe a bearing failure could result in engine seizure or breading of the engine block by the connecting rod.
This failure would lead to a loss of power.
NHTSA states they have received 39 complaints and several early warning field reports from vehicle owners. These owners also said the loss of power was sudden and they had no warning signs before the engine failed.
There have been no crashes or fires reported.
GM says it will work with NHTSA during this probe.

Tim Esterdahl

Automotive Journalist Tim Esterdahl has covered the industry since 2011 and has been featured in many national magazines and articles like CBS Sunday Morning, News Nation, MotorTrend, Boston Globe and others. He has won awards for his work and is recognized as a truck expert in his field. In his spare time, he is often found tinkering on his '62 C10 pickup, playing golf, going hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids in Nebraska.

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testerdahl

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2,716 messages 4,596 likes
Pinned Jan 17, 2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is launching a probe into a GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure affecting 870,00 vehicles. GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure probe This probe covers certain 2019-2024 Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade vehicles equipped with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine aka L87. According to a Reuters report, the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation determined the scope and severity of the problem was high enough to take a closer look. Federal Investigators believe a bearing failure could result in engine seizure or breading of the […] (read full article...)

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Hilux

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425 messages 730 likes
#1 Jan 17, 2025

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is launching a probe into a GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure affecting 870,00 vehicles. GM 6.2L V-8 engine failure probe This probe covers certain 2019-2024 Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade vehicles equipped with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine aka L87. According to a Reuters report, the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation determined the scope and severity of the problem was high enough to take a closer look. Federal Investigators believe a bearing failure could result in engine seizure or breading of the […] (read full article...)

Can we just be honest here? Wouldn't it be better to just build these vehicles right in the first place?

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Saddle Tramp

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1,060 messages 1,198 likes
#2 Jan 17, 2025

Is it a building problem or supplier problem?

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testerdahl

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2,716 messages 4,596 likes
#3 Jan 17, 2025

Can we just be honest here? Wouldn't it be better to just build these vehicles right in the first place?

I think statistically you are just going to have some failures and things happen.

For example, I just returned a Dyson vacuum to Sam's Club. It worked once and then just died. We had one for 14 years and beat the crap out of it before it finally died. The new one dying doesn't change my opinion of Dyson as a brand. I just chalk it up to things happening.

Now, obviously, a vacuum cleaner is much smaller potatoes than a truck.

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Dusdaddy

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1,354 messages 2,020 likes
#4 Jan 18, 2025

Always tough when you get these reports. The "870K affected" sounds so bad, but when only 39 complaints have come in, that kinda puts it perspective. I wonder what failure percentage point GM determines it is not random, but a problem that needs to be addressed?

I suppose the "doom & gloom" YT channels will be posting all sorts of "GM is dead on the vine" videos over it. Hell, the Tundra got one complaint on a 2025 and that created weeks of content. Honestly, that'll be the best outcome for GM if this turns into a real issue. That the finding is something similar to Toyotas and doesn't create a redesign in addition to a recall.

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Fightnfire

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1,253 messages 2,149 likes
#5 Jan 18, 2025

I'm hoping they find something and issue a recall, that's a good step to rectifying the "lifter" issue fears that have been plaguing GM for several years. I'm at 54k now with no issues, knock on wood. It will be curious to see what happens...oddly the 5.3 has significantly more issues from what ive heard but they also sell a lot more of them so who knows.

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stevemax07

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8 messages 20 likes
#6 Jan 20, 2025

Lots of lifter and cam wear issues going around for the cylinder deactivation engines. GM, Honda, and Ram all have issues that result in premature cam wear or lifter failure.

This is a technology that needs to go away until made reliable.

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testerdahl

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2,716 messages 4,596 likes
#7 Jan 20, 2025

Lots of lifter and cam wear issues going around for the cylinder deactivation engines. GM, Honda, and Ram all have issues that result in premature cam wear or lifter failure.

This is a technology that needs to go away until made reliable.

What about Ford? They have it as well.

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Dusdaddy

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1,354 messages 2,020 likes
#8 Jan 20, 2025

Lots of lifter and cam wear issues going around for the cylinder deactivation engines. GM, Honda, and Ram all have issues that result in premature cam wear or lifter failure.

This is a technology that needs to go away until made reliable.

Except, in the Ram Hemi's case, lifter failure occurs in the engine model without MDS as well as the model with it.

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