The GM L87 6.2L V8 engine has become the focus of growing concern due to widespread reports of lifter failure, ticking noises, and sudden loss of power. Owners of 2021–2024 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Cadillac Escalade models have reported propulsion failures and costly repairs — prompting an investigation and multiple recalls. With over 573,000 vehicles affected and new legal actions underway, it’s critical for owners to understand the scope of these defects and their rights under state law.
Overview of the GM L87 Engine Failure Issue
The GM L87 engine has faced criticism over reliability issues like lifter failure and loss of propulsion. Owners have reported concerning sounds like engine ticking in the 2021 Silverado and power drops in Chevy 1500 models.
Such issues underline questions about whether the L87 is as dependable as promised.
Comparing engines reveals differences too—between older models like the L86 and newer ones like the L87; modifications aimed at boosting performance sometimes lead to unexpected setbacks.
Recalls highlight these concerns significantly. Models from 2021 through 2024 across brands—Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 Yukon, and Yukon XL—have all seen GM recalls due to these defects.
Signs of trouble include unusual noises such as ticking or knocking from the engine area of affected trucks like GMC Sierras or Chevy Silverados plus sudden drops in power while driving.
For those dealing with these frustrations, multiple avenues offer assistance—from safety recalls issued by GM targeting issues such as connecting rod failures to class action lawsuits aiming at compensation for owners hit by premature engine problems.
Key Takeaways
- Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles with GM L87 engines have had reports of lifter failure and loss of power, leading to recalls for models from 2021 to 2024. Owners noticed odd sounds and a decrease in engine performance.
- Following a GM truck engine failure probe – an investigation by NHTSA, a recall was issued on April 24, 2025, for 573,000 trucks and SUVs. However, vehicles made before March 1, 2021, with L87 engines are not included.
- As a remedy for these issues, GM advises using higher viscosity oil and new oil filters in affected vehicles. In certain cases, they provide replacement engines but currently have a waitlist.
- Lemon laws could help owners who’ve had unresolved warranty problems since 2020. Seeking advice from attorneys on lemon law claims or joining class action lawsuits might result in compensation or getting a different vehicle.
- For those facing L87 engine troubles, documenting every defect is crucial when filing complaints or legal actions against GM. Legal professionals offer free advice to people dealing with such challenges.
Common GM L87 V8 Engine Problems
The GM L87 V8 engines, popularly used in models such as the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, have run into numerous setbacks. Issues brought to attention by owners include defective bearings, incorrect wrist pin/circlip assembly, or even absent circlips resulting in connecting rod malfunctions and breaches in the engine block.
Commonly reported problems also encompass faults in the coolant valley plate and valve spring failures. These complications raise eyebrows, particularly in relation to the cylinder deactivation technologies.
Since the threshold of April 29, 2021, there has been a total of 28,102 field complaints corresponding to these engines. To be more specific, 14,332 cases revolved around a loss of propulsion – a critical factor that gravely undermines the reliability of GM V8 engines.
Besides these, there have been mentions of 12 incidents entailing minor injuries. Additional scrutiny unveiled 42 fire accusations mostly originating from the engine compartment.
This predicament highlights a wider challenge that GM faces, impacting diverse models via recalls such as those conducted for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, to name a few.
The recognized faults signify a significant decline in the anticipated standards of GM V8 reliability.
Signs of GM Engine Failures
Owners of vehicles with L87 engines often report hearing unusual noises, such as ticking or knocking from the engine. This sound hints that something internally might be amiss. A 2021 Silverado, for example, might display this engine ticking warning sign.
Additionally, discovering metal particles in the oil suggests that internal components are deteriorating more rapidly than anticipated.
Suffering a sudden reduction in power while driving is another significant worry for owners of GMC Sierra and similar models. This predicament impairs vehicle performance and also heightens the risk of accidents on roads.
Vehicles demonstrating these problems, particularly those with fewer than 30,000 miles, likely harbor an L87 engine flaw seen in different GMC and Chevrolet models like Tahoe and Suburban.
Which Models Are Affected by the GM L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion?
The GM L87 engine has led to a loss of propulsion in several vehicle models. These include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL from 2019 to 2024.
This problem can cause an unexpected drop in power while driving.
Luxury vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and its ESV variant also face these issues from the same years. Knowing about this defect is crucial for current owners or potential buyers to prevent power loss incidents on the road.
GM L87 Engine Lawsuit and Safety Recall Update
On January 16, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into consumer complaints related to GM’s L87 6.2L V8 engine. At the time of the inquiry, NHTSA had received 39 formal complaints detailing GM engine failure, loss of propulsion, and lifter defects. This investigation into GM L87 engine complaints eventually led to a safety recall issued on April 24, 2025, covering over 573,000 trucks and SUVs.
The recall applies to vehicles manufactured after March 1, 2021; GM Trucks and SUVs produced prior to this date with L87 engines were not included in the GMC recall nor the Chevrolet recall.
GM is addressing these issues by requiring higher viscosity oil and new oil filters for the affected V8 engines. In some situations, they are replacing faulty engines completely. Due to high demand, there’s currently a waitlist for these replacements.
Related Articles: GMC 6.2 Engine Problems: Lifter Failure Defect, Recall, and Lawsuit Updates (2025)
Beyond the recall, a growing number of consumers have taken legal action — filing or joining class action lawsuits over repeated engine defects and GM’s handling of warranty repairs. These lawsuits allege that known GM 6.2 engine issues were not disclosed and that many owners experienced repeated failures despite attempted repairs.
If your vehicle has been impacted by these engine problems and you’ve experienced repeated repair attempts, you may qualify to join one of these legal actions or pursue compensation under California’s Lemon Law.
What to Do if You Suspect GM 6.2L V8 Engine Issues
Document any engine defects in your vehicle. Note down incidents and take videos or photos as proof. Then, consult attorneys familiar with lemon law claims or car complaints. They will advise if a class action lawsuit is suitable for you.
Lemon laws could apply to vehicles from 2020 onwards that faced warranty issues. If mechanics failed to fix a problem after several attempts, or if your car was out of service for more than 30 days, these laws may help.
Lemon Law Firm provides free guidance for owners of GM vehicles like the 2021 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra dealing with lifter failure or power loss problems. Contact us to explore your options for refunds, replacements, or compensation.
GM L87 Engine — FAQs
1. What is a GM L87 engine?
The GM L87 engine is a 6.2L V8, often found in vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2019–2024), GMC Sierra 1500 (2019–2024), and Cadillac Escalade / Escalade ESV (2021–2024). It’s known for its power but has had some reported issues.
2. Are there common problems with the GM L87 engine?
Yes, some owners have reported instances of lifter failure and loss of power in their vehicles. There have also been reports of an unsettling ticking sound from the engine, potentially indicating a problem.
3. Has there been any recalls related to these engines?
GM has issued several recalls concerning this particular model due to various issues including crankshaft defects that could lead to propulsion failures or even complete loss of vehicle power.
4. How can I tell if my L87 engine might be failing?
Symptoms of potential failure include decreased horsepower, unusual sounds such as knocking or ticking, and sudden loss of power while driving.
5. Is there legal recourse for owners facing these issues?
There have been several class action lawsuits filed against General Motors regarding this issue, so it may be possible to seek compensation through legal channels if you’re experiencing similar problems with your vehicle’s L87 engine.
6. What steps should I take if I suspect my vehicle’s L87 Engine may be faulty?
If you notice symptoms like those mentioned above or see metal shavings in your oil during an oil filter replacement, consult your owner’s manual insert then contact your dealership immediately for an inspection procedure under the GM Global Warranty Management program.
Still Having Engine Issues with Your GM Truck or SUV? Contact LemonLawFirm.com Today!
If your GM vehicle has experienced repeated engine problems — including ticking, lifter failure, or sudden loss of power — you may be eligible for compensation under California’s Lemon Law.
Vehicles affected by the GM L87 engine recall include the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade, and more.
Lemon Law Firm is currently reviewing cases involving these vehicles. If your GM truck or SUV has been out of service for multiple days or required repeated engine-related repairs, you may qualify for a refund, replacement, or cash settlement.
Schedule a free case evaluation today. No obligations. No upfront costs.