General Motors (GM), bad news is coming your way. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is going to continue investigating more than 286,000 vehicles that already had engine issues. Apparently, there have been many more complaints for the same reason, and they haven’t been able to close the case even though a massive recall was already carried out last April.
It seems the problem hasn’t been solved yet, and reports have continued to come in. Now it’s time for a more serious phase: a full technical analysis. What is happening with GM?
What’s happening with General Motors (GM)
The problem comes from the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine, widely used in popular models like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Cadillac Escalade.
According to the NHTSA, the failures are linked to defective bearings, and if those fail, they can cause anything from noises and vibrations to total engine breakdown.
And this issue goes back a while. It was early in 2024, in January, when the agency began investigating after noticing a repeated pattern of malfunctions. Months later, General Motors had to admit that some connecting rods and crankshafts might have manufacturing defects, which could explain the failures.
“Parts have already been replaced in many cars, but we keep receiving reports of engines failing outside the initial recall” said the NHTSA.
A thorough investigation
This new phase means NHTSA engineers will literally take the engines apart. They will analyze the damaged components, the manufacturing process, and the production history to see if the problem affects more vehicles than initially thought.
So far, the agency has received more than 1,100 reports of failures, so yes, the number is high enough to keep investigating. They want to get to the bottom of it and find out if this is an isolated defect or a design flaw that could endanger the lives of thousands of drivers.
Which models are involved
Although the focus is on the L87 engine, this power unit is used in several GM models:
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- GMC Sierra 1500
- Cadillac Escalade
- GMC Yukon Denali
All of them are high-performance (and high-end) vehicles. That’s why owners are understandably concerned.
GM is actively cooperating with the NHTSA and will take the necessary measures if it’s confirmed that the issue affects more units.
Background
Well, GM is no stranger to NHTSA calls. In recent years, they’ve had to deal with electrical problems, defective airbags, and mechanical failures in different models.
So, although this isn’t just another minor issue (since it looks much more serious), the brand can’t afford for it to damage its reputation, especially while competing with other giants in the pickup and SUV segment.
What owners should know
For now, there’s no new official recall, but if you have a GM vehicle with an L87 engine, it’s a good idea to watch for metallic noises, unusual vibrations, or sudden power loss.
Any of these symptoms should be reported to the NHTSA to help with the investigation, and once the defect is confirmed, the company will be required to repair all affected vehicles free of charge (even those left out of the original recall).
What will the NHTSA do?
The engineers will analyze engines, quality control protocols, assembly processes, everything that could lead to an answer about what’s happening with these vehicles.
Meanwhile, GM has reiterated its commitment to transparency and safety, although it avoids commenting on the recall until new information becomes available.
This has become one of the most important safety cases, and there’s a lot at stake. If you have a GM with this type of engine, be careful and pay attention to your vehicle!