When an engine recall is issued, most drivers assume the process is simple: bring the vehicle in, get it fixed, and move on. The ongoing situation with the GM 6.2L V8 engine, specifically L87 engines, is more complicated than that.

A manufacturing-related bearing failure that may lead to internal engine damage or loss of power affecting hundreds of thousands of GM trucks and SUVs has already prompted one major recall, and a follow-up NHTSA investigation is currently underway. For owners of affected vehicles, understanding what the automotive recall does and doesn’t cover, and planning for potential gaps, is just as important as getting the repair done.

The Issue With the GM 6.2L V8 Engine

Discovering your vehicle has an issue is never fun, but learning it’s related to engine failure is even worse. In late 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a fresh investigation into General Motors vehicles related to engine failure risks after they received numerous complaints from consumers. This followed an initial investigation earlier in the year encompassing 877,710 GM vehicles that received similar reports.

However, in April 2025, GM preemptively issued a recall of 721,000 SUVs and trucks containing 6.2L V8 gas engines, specifically for certain vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2024. Models affected included the:

• Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Chevy Suburban
• Chevrolet Tahoe
• GMC Sierra 1500
• Yukon and Yukon XL

Following the recall announcement, the initial NHTSA investigation was closed. Incidentally, though, they began to receive reports near the end of the year of GMC models outside of the above having similar engine problems, prompting the new engineering analysis investigation, which is covering an additional 286,000 GM trucks and other vehicles. Models covered under this new scope include the 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, along with the 2021-2024 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, as well as the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV for these model years.

The original issue, which the NHTSA outlined via GMC in the original report, is a loss of motive power due to engine failure, potentially related to manufacturing defects in a vehicle’s connecting rod, lifters, and crankshaft components. Multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues were ultimately blamed.

For drivers on the road, this is a terrifying thought. While no formal additional recall from GM has occurred, the investigation by the NHTSA is ongoing and could determine that another recall is necessary. This means that even if your vehicle wasn’t on the initial recall list for the NHTSA, your vehicle could still potentially be among the affected vehicles at some point in the future.

Early warning signs of this issue include a knocking or banging sound from the engine, the check engine light turning on, performance issues such as abnormal shifting or reduced propulsion, and general engine hesitation. If you notice any of the above, consider having your GMC inspected by a qualified repair professional.

The Dangers of Engine Failure

From a safety perspective, bearing failures are more than a mechanical inconvenience. If an engine suddenly loses power at highway speeds, you may experience difficulty accelerating or maintaining speed, reduced power steering or braking, and increased risk during merges or while passing.

On top of this, the risks aren’t finished even if your vehicle doesn’t get recalled. The future financial and logistical fallout can also be significant.

To understand why, it’s important to understand what an engine bearing does. This part is a critical high-strength metal shell that sits between moving engine parts, typically the crankshaft and connecting rods, which reduces friction, supports rotating components, and prevents metal-on-metal contact. When bearings fail, it can lead to damage to the crankshaft, connecting rods, cylinder walls, and other parts of the engine.

This may have already happened by the time you get your recalled vehicle into the shop. Once metal debris begins to circulate throughout the engine and parts become damaged, repairs will often escalate from a component-level fix to a full block engine replacement that can cost upwards of $5,000 when labor is taken into account. That is, assuming the engine doesn’t fail first.

Add in towing, dealership delays, and parts backorders, and you might be facing weeks without your vehicle, even if the original issue was recall-related.

Recall Coverage vs. Long Term Protection For Your GMC

Recall repairs typically address specific defects identified by the manufacturer and may not cover unrelated or subsequent mechanical failures. Typically, recall coverage is far more narrow in scope. GM recall repairs typically include the following:

• Inspection of affected components
• Replacement of specific defective parts
• Software updates, if applicable

However, recall repairs generally focus on correcting the identified defect and may not include:

• Secondary engine damage was discovered later
• Failures occurring outside the recall repair window
• Related components damaged by bearing debris
• Rental cars beyond limited eligibility

While what’s covered is nuanced from recall to recall, if you don’t read the fine print, then you may be left on the hook for major repair expenses stemming from a past recall. This is especially true if your vehicle is outside its standard factory powertrain warranty.

What GMC Owners Should Do Right Now

If you own a GM vehicle with a 6.2L V8 engine under the hood, there are a few proactive steps you should take:

1. Check the VIN: Visit the aforementioned NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool or the GM Recall Site to see if your vehicle is currently under notice
2. Schedule Dealer Service Promptly: If your vehicle is under recall alert, take it in right away to receive the free service. If it’s not under alert, but it’s a part of the current models being investigated, still consider scheduling an inspection. Waiting can increase the risk of damage and complicate coverage if a failure occurs before the recall is addressed.
3. Document Anything and Everything: Keep a record of all recall notices, dealer inspection reports, repair invoices, or engine-related symptoms before or after servicing.

By documenting any issues, your conversation with GM regarding next steps or coverage options may go very differently. In the event you do need to take your vehicle to the repair shop for recall-related issues, one of the most common questions drivers have is whether or not they’re eligible for a rental car.

Rental coverage will vary during recall visits. In some cases, manufacturers may provide rental assistance if a vehicle is deemed unsafe to drive or requires extended repairs. Availability will typically depend on dealership capacity and parts delays, plus rental duration may be capped. To know whether you qualify, ask your service dealership directly or contact GM customer assistance with your VIN and repair order if part of a recall, consulting your owner’s manual for additional details. If rental coverage isn’t provided, transportation costs in the interim will typically fall on your shoulders.

Planning Beyond the Next Recall With Endurance

Recalls are an important safety tool for drivers on the road, but they’re not a long-term maintenance strategy. For high-output engines like the 6.2L V8 GM model, the real risk can often come after recall obligations end and when the internal wear, secondary damage, and repeat failures start to compound once you’ve left the shop.

To avoid being left on the hook for future breakdowns stemming from an earlier recall due to a manufacturing defect, many drivers turn to a vehicle protection provider such as Endurance. A vehicle service contract may help offset certain repair costs and provide additional protection once a factory warranty expires.

Endurance has plans ranging from high-level stated coverage for only the most important components (Secure Plus), all the way to that which is closest to the comprehensive warranty that accompanies a new vehicle (Supreme). Both options include coverage for many primary engine components.

If you’re curious about which plan may be right for you, contact an Endurance representative at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE email quote. You can also shop our eStore right away to see your price and plan recommendations.