Federal Agency Opens Investigation Into General Motors V8 Engine Failures
Following several reports of issues with General Motors’ 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine, the National Highway Transport Safety Administration has launched an investigation into affected models, according to Car Buzz.
Drivers began saying that they experienced engine failure on low-mileage vehicles—many of them not reaching even 10,000 miles—leading to an engine transplant having to be performed.
The number of complainants grew to 39 before NHTSA had heard enough, launching its own investigation on January 16th, 2025. No recall has been issued, but the agency did share what models are being examined:
2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021-2024 Chevrolet Suburban
2019-2024 GMC Sierra 1500
2021-2024 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL
2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
NHTSA has estimated that a total of 877,710 vehicles are at risk of experiencing complete engine failure.
GM is working with the agency to discover the root cause, though there are some details available on what leads up to the engine failure. It begins with a bearing failure inside the engine, leading to the connecting rod detaching from the crankshaft. This could be followed by either the engine completely seizing, or the rod colliding through the engine block. Drivers are given little time to react, if they receive any warning at all, before the engine fails.
The number of drivers impacted has been so large that GM has been struggling to provide engine replacements, with owners experiencing wait times of up to several weeks.
