This one is a big deal. It's not a rattle or a glitchy screen. GM says the connecting rods and/or crankshaft in some 6.2L V8s can have manufacturing defects that wreck the engine. When that happens, the truck can lose power while you're driving, which is how a full-size pickup becomes a very large highway obstacle.
Which trucks are in the recall
| Model | Model years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2021-2024 | 6.2L V8 (L87) |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 2021-2024 | 6.2L V8 (L87) |
| Chevy Tahoe and Suburban | 2021-2024 | 6.2L V8 (L87) |
| GMC Yukon / Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade / ESV | 2021-2024 | 6.2L V8 (L87) |
The recall covers close to 600,000 vehicles in total. NHTSA's investigation files say GM tied the problem to parts built from March 1, 2021 to May 31, 2024. The 5.3L V8, the 2.7L turbo four and the Duramax diesel are not part of this recall.
Warning signs to watch for
- Knocking, banging or other new noises from the engine
- Check engine light
- Hesitation, high RPMs or weird shifting
- Sudden loss of power, sometimes at highway speed
What the dealer does (free)
Recall work costs you nothing, no matter the mileage, how old the truck is, or how many owners it's had. Here's what happens:
- Inspection. The dealer checks the engine. If it fails, they replace it.
- If it passes, the engine gets higher-viscosity 0W-40 oil, a new oil filter, a new oil cap that lists the new oil, and an owner's manual update. The thicker oil is meant to give the bearings more protection.
- Build-date check. For trucks that already got a replacement engine, a later GM bulletin has the dealer read the build-date sticker on the left cylinder head to see if that engine also needs swapping.
GM's own bulletin budgets about 18.5 to 18.6 labor hours for an engine swap on a Silverado 1500. Picture paying that yourself. That's why you want this done under the recall, not out of pocket.
How to check your truck
- Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or GM's owner site (gm.com/service).
- Look at the oil cap. If it already says 0W-40, the recall inspection was probably done. Check your service records to confirm.
- Call any Chevy dealer with your VIN. They can see open recalls and past work.
What if the fixed engine fails anyway?
This is where it gets messy. In January 2026 NHTSA opened a recall query (RQ26001) into whether the fix actually works, after 36 complaints of engines blowing up after the dealer service. Both remedies (the oil swap and the new engine) were reported failing. Later reporting from Motor1 said NHTSA counted 499 failure complaints in vehicles GM had already fixed, 473 of them oil-only fixes.
There's also a separate Engineering Analysis (EA25007, opened October 23, 2025) for 6.2L engines outside the recall. It started with certain 2019-2021 and 2024 Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks, and Motor1 reported it was later widened to roughly 997,743 2021-2026 GM vehicles with the L87. No new recall has come out of it as of October 14, 2026.
If your truck isn't covered
Say your 6.2L Silverado is a 2019 or a 2025, so the recall doesn't apply. Your backup is the factory warranty. Chevy's powertrain coverage is typically 5 years or 60,000 miles, and the 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty transfers to the next owner too. If you're still inside it, an engine failure should be a warranty job.
Outside warranty? File a complaint at nhtsa.gov. Complaints are exactly what keep these investigations moving, and if a recall expands later, having a record helps.
Questions to ask the dealer
- Did my engine get inspected, oil-changed, or replaced? Can I get that in writing?
- What oil does my cap call for now, and does any shop changing it need to know?
- If it fails after the recall fix, is the repair covered?
- Am I eligible for a loaner while it's in the shop?
Living with a recalled 6.2L
Use only the oil listed on the new cap, at every oil change, at any shop. Watch the oil level between changes. And if you buy a used 2021-2024 6.2L truck, run the VIN before you hand over money. An open recall isn't a deal breaker since the fix is free, but you want to know.
Verdict
If your truck is a 2021-2024 6.2L, get the recall done now. It's free and it takes the worst risk off the table. If it already had the fix, keep the paperwork, use the right oil, and don't ignore a knock. See more on the Silverado 1500 page, or read our guide to Silverado 8-speed transmission shudder. Recall details checked October 14, 2026.
