Are Affected GM Trucks & SUVs Lemons? The L87 Class Action Lawsuit
Sudden power loss at highway speeds. Engines seizing without warning. These are among the frightening allegations leveled at General Motors in a new class action lawsuit over its 6.2-liter V8 L87 engines.
Owners claim this “dangerously defective” engine can fail “with little or no warning”, leading to catastrophic engine failure and vehicle shutdown even at high speeds. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Michigan, asserts that a latent defect in the L87 V8 engine can cause the engine to lose all power or even throw a connecting rod through the engine block, creating an extreme safety hazard for drivers and passengers.
Most shocking: The complaint alleges that GM knew about this defect for years but continued to sell the affected vehicles without warning consumers.
The Class Action Lawsuit’s Core Claims
The 6.2L L87 V8, introduced in 2019, is equipped in hundreds of thousands of GM’s most popular trucks and SUVs. The plaintiffs claim this engine has an internal defect that can cause sudden oiling failures and engine seizure, resulting in a complete loss of propulsion while driving.
Key allegations:
- Engines failing “without warning,” even in nearly brand-new vehicles
- Some engines failed just days after purchase
- One truck’s motor died after only 4 miles of use
- No prior symptoms in many cases
Safety Risks: When Engines Fail at Highway Speeds
The sudden stalling or loss of power at high speeds greatly increases the risk of accidents. A failed connecting rod or bearing can even puncture the engine block, and some owners reported seeing smoke or engine compartment fires after failure.
GM’s own data reveals:
- At least 12 related crashes
- 12 injuries
- 42 engine fire reports tied to this issue (as of early 2025)
While no serious injuries have been confirmed directly from these incidents, the class action argues that GM jeopardized driver safety by selling these vehicles with a known defect and not promptly addressing the problem.
Financial Impact: Devastating Vehicle Values
Beyond immediate safety dangers, owners say the defect has devastated the value of their expensive trucks and SUVs. The complaint asserts that these flagship “workhorse” vehicles, marketed for their reliability, are now significantly devalued because buyers fear the engine could fail at any time.
Financial losses include:
- Lengthy, complex repair attempts
- Weeks of vehicle downtime
- Repeat failures after initial repairs
- Replacement engine shortages (due to high demand from failures)
- Rental car costs during repairs
- Diminished resale value
- Additional fuel costs
Which GM Models Are Affected?
The defective L87 V8 is found in numerous Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models. Nearly one million vehicles are affected across model years 2019–2024.
Affected Vehicles (All with 6.2L L87 engines)
Chevrolet:
- Silverado 1500 (2019–2024)
- Tahoe (2021–2024)
- Suburban (2021–2024)
GMC:
- Sierra 1500 (2019–2024)
- Yukon (2021–2024)
- Yukon XL (2021–2024)
Cadillac:
- Escalade (2021–2024)
- Escalade ESV (2021–2024)
Federal Investigation Underway
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a preliminary probe in January 2025 into 877,000+ GM trucks and SUVs with the 6.2L engine after receiving dozens of complaints. As of May 2025, NHTSA reportedly has over 1,000 consumer complaints on this issue.
What’s Wrong Inside These Engines?
The lawsuit paints a picture of manufacturing chaos—multiple production defects that can ruin the L87 engine from within.
Primary Defects Alleged
1. Bearing Failures Due to Contamination
GM’s internal investigation found that many bad engines were contaminated with sediment and machining debris during manufacturing. Tiny metal particles left in the engine—particularly on connecting rods or in crankshaft oil passages—can restrict oil flow to rod bearings.
The cascade of destruction:
- Critical bearings wear out or seize
- Bearing failure can seize the engine
- Connecting rods can break loose and punch through the engine block
- Improper cleaning at the factory introduced debris that destroys internals over time
2. Improper or Missing Parts (Wrist Pins/Circlips)
Some L87 engines were assembled incorrectly. Certain wrist pins or circlips (small components that secure pistons to connecting rods) were improperly installed or even omitted.
The result: A missing or loose wrist pin snap-ring can allow a piston or rod to come loose violently, causing the connecting rod to detach and catastrophically destroy the engine, immediately stalling the vehicle.
3. Out-of-Spec Crankshaft Issues
GM has indicated that crankshaft dimensional flaws or finish issues during certain production periods contributed to bearing failures. If a crankshaft journal wasn’t within spec or had poor finish, it could accelerate bearing wear, leading to rod bearing damage.
Bottom line: The heart of these engines—the rotating assembly (crankshaft, rods, bearings)—was allegedly compromised by manufacturing defects. When an engine has one of these defects, the end result is often the same: the bearing fails or a rod breaks, and the engine suddenly self-destructs.
Drivers describe these incidents as “grenading” the engine, sometimes with an audible bang, smoke, or oil spilling out, and instant loss of power.
Why Engine Replacement Doesn’t Fix It
A major concern: Swapping in a new engine may not fully resolve the issue. The class action claims that GM’s standard remedy of replacing the failed L87 engine with another L87 engine can be ineffective because the replacement engine is often just as defective as the original.
The problem: Unless the new engine was built after GM fixed its manufacturing process, it likely has the same flaw. Some owners have gone through multiple engine replacements in short succession.
Real example: One plaintiff says his 2023 GMC Yukon needed a new engine in 2024 after metal shavings were found in the oil, and even the replacement engine suffered bearing damage shortly after.
GM’s Response on Manufacturing Fixes
GM maintains that it has identified and corrected the manufacturing issues going forward. The company says its engineers determined that defects were limited to engines built between March 1, 2021 and May 31, 2024.
Key timeline:
- Improved production processes implemented by mid-2024
- 2025 model-year vehicles (built after June 1, 2024) use the same 6.2L design but without contamination/quality problems
- However, 2019–2024 models on the road likely still contain suspect parts
The lingering question: If GM knew the exact defect window and fixed it by mid-2024, why were consumers not told sooner and offered a proper remedy?
NHTSA Investigation and GM’s Recall
Under mounting pressure, GM finally acknowledged the scope of the problem in 2025. Following the NHTSA probe and multiple lawsuits, General Motors announced a sweeping safety recall (ID #N252494001) in late April 2025.
Recall Details
Scope: Roughly 721,000 trucks and SUVs worldwide (about 598,000 in the U.S.)
Affected models: Essentially all 2021–2024 Cadillac Escalade/ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon/XL models with the 6.2L V8.
Note: Some 2019–2020 engines were not included because they were built before the main defect period or had different specifications, though many owners of these models have reported failures as well.
What the Recall Includes
Inspection process: Dealers will inspect engines and either repair or replace them as needed.
If damage is found:
- GM will replace the entire engine free of charge
- Based on diagnostic trouble codes or signs of bearing wear
If no immediate damage is detected:
- Preventative treatment with oil change to higher-viscosity formula (0W-40 Mobil 1)
- New oil filter and oil fill cap with updated specifications
- Owner manual insert noting new oil requirement
Timeline: Owner notification letters scheduled for early June 2025.
Will the Recall Fix the Issue?
The uncertainty: Replacing a defective engine with a properly re-manufactured one should resolve individual vehicle failures, but many replacement engines were drawn from the same flawed stock.
GM’s claim: All new replacement engines are built under the improved process (post-2024).
The controversy: The oil change remedy for vehicles that haven’t failed yet. The class action lawsuit criticizes this as inadequate—essentially a band-aid that doesn’t cure the underlying defect.
Additional concerns:
- A separate lawsuit alleges that thicker oil may hurt performance and fuel economy
- Owners report dealers have no definitive repair if inspection is passed
- Part shortages and backorders for replacement engines
- Some trucks at dealerships for over a month waiting for new engines
GM’s Knowledge of the Defect: “They Knew and Did Nothing”
Central lawsuit claim: GM was aware of the L87 engine defect long before the recall, yet continued to sell vehicles and downplay the problem.
Timeline of GM’s Knowledge
2021–2022: Evidence suggests GM knew of elevated engine failures
- Internal reports noted abnormal bearing wear
- Increasing warranty claims for blown L87 engines
Late 2022–2023: GM allegedly performed secret investigations
- Quietly replaced some customers’ engines
- No public alert or proper fix issued
- Thousands more people bought affected models in 2023–24 unaware of risk
January 2025: NHTSA investigation finally prompted GM action
- Recall came after roughly 28,000 engines had already failed
By the Numbers (Official Recall Document)
- 28,102 incidents of L87 engine trouble in the U.S.
- Over 14,000 cases of sudden loss of propulsion
- Numerous reports of engine fires
- At least a dozen alleged injuries (mostly minor)
The criticism: GM should have acted far sooner given the volume of red flags. Instead, owners footed the bill while GM allegedly hoped regular warranty claims would mask the issue.
Lemon Law Relief for Owners
For owners of these troubled GM trucks and SUVs, joining a class action isn’t the only path to remedy. State lemon laws provide powerful protection and may offer faster, individualized relief compared to a class action that could drag on for years.
Understanding Lemon Laws
What they are: State laws requiring vehicle manufacturers to repurchase or replace cars with serious defects that cannot be fixed in a reasonable number of attempts or timeframe.
Who qualifies: Typically, if your new or certified-used vehicle has a substantial problem (like an engine defect) that persists after multiple repair attempts, or if it’s been out of service for an extended period (often 30+ days), you may be entitled to relief.
GM engine issue qualifications:
- Can leave owners with inoperable vehicles for weeks
- Multiple failed repairs are common
- Likely meets “substantial defect” test in most states
- Many lemon laws cover defects arising within first 1–2 years or under certain mileage
What You Can Get Under Lemon Law
Replacement vehicle: Comparable value to your original purchase
Buyback/refund: Purchase price (often plus taxes and finance charges)
Cash and keep: Keep the vehicle (if repaired) but get monetary compensation for diminished value or troubles endured
Key Advantages of Lemon Law Claims
No upfront cost: Fee-shifting provisions mean GM pays your attorney’s fees if you win
Faster resolution: Typically resolved in months, not years
Individual tailored remedy: Specifically addresses your loss, not a one-size-fits-all class action settlement
Contingency basis: Most lemon law attorneys work on contingency (no fee unless you win)
Don’t Wait to Get Help
If you have one of the 2019–2024 GM vehicles listed above and have experienced engine failure or engine replacement, it’s wise to take action now. The recall repairs alone may not guarantee your safety or your vehicle’s value.
Why Time Matters
Short windows: Some states have filing windows as short as 12–24 months from vehicle purchase
Evidence importance: Repair orders and receipts are crucial to gather
Safety concerns: Don’t continue driving a potentially unsafe vehicle without exploring legal remedies
Next Steps
- Learn your rights under your state’s lemon law
- Contact a qualified lemon law attorney or submit a case review
- Gather documentation of repairs and problems
- Act quickly to preserve your rights
The Bottom Line
GM is facing serious allegations that it sold vehicles with a known, dangerous engine defect and failed to fix it promptly. Thousands of owners have already suffered engine failures, and more are anxiously wondering if their truck or SUV is next.
While the class action lawsuit aims to hold GM accountable, you don’t have to wait on the lawsuit’s outcome. Lemon laws empower you to demand relief now if your vehicle meets the criteria.
Given the stakes—sudden engine loss at high speeds and costly failures—every affected owner should consider taking action. A successful lemon law claim could get you out of your defective GM vehicle and into a safe, working vehicle (or provide a refund of your money).
Check if you qualify for a lemon law case today, and reclaim the safety and peace of mind you deserve from your vehicle.
