Even more concerning are the crashes and injuries that may be linked to these engine failures
On April 24, 2025, General Motors initiated its largest recall of the year, affecting 597,630 full-size trucks and SUVs from the 2021 to 2024 model years. This includes the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, as well as the GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and the Cadillac Escalade. The recall targets vehicles equipped with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that has the potential to fail with little or no advance warning, a problem that has already occurred in tens of thousands of these engines.
While GM’s official recall was reported earlier, documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveal that GM began investigating these 6.2-liter V-8 issues as early as 2022, with an initial investigation closing that year. However, reports indicate that GM truck and SUV owners had been raising concerns about these engine problems for as long as six years. To date, GM acknowledges at least 28,102 field complaints related to 6.2-liter engine failure.
This significant number of complaints didn’t arise suddenly. GM conducted a second investigation in 2023 and a third in July 2024. A fourth investigation, opened in January 2025, ultimately led to the recall issued recently. Notably, 14,332 of these complaints specifically involved a “loss of propulsion,” which is understood to mean significant engine failure.
Adding to the concern, among the complaints were 12 reports of injuries potentially linked to engine failure, as well as 12 accidents and 42 fires that might be related, although the exact cause of most fires remains unclear. Despite this, numerous large recalls have been issued for problems with far fewer complaints and no reported injuries.
When questioned about what prompted the recall after the third investigation, a GM spokesperson declined to comment beyond an official statement emphasizing the company’s commitment to customer safety and satisfaction and its efforts to address the issue promptly.
However, a key development after the third investigation was the NHTSA’s decision to launch its own inquiry into the engine problem. Whether this independent investigation influenced GM’s decision to finally issue the recall remains uncertain.
Regarding the remedy, recall documents state that potentially defective engines will be inspected and either repaired or replaced. Given that the issue involves faulty crankshafts and/or connecting rods, a simple fix is not possible. A GM spokesperson mentioned that “special diagnostic tools” are being developed to test for engine bearing damage but did not provide specific details about the repair or replacement process.
Even if an engine passes the diagnostic test, dealers will still replace the existing 0W-20 oil with a thicker 0W-40 oil, intended to provide “increased protection against engine damage.”
