V8 Issues Leading to Probe on Nearly 900,000 GM SUVs, Trucks in U.S.
Full-size SUVs and pickups from General Motors are facing additional scrutiny in the U.S. where the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just launched a preliminary investigation of nearly 900,000 units equipped with the 6.2-litre L87 V8.
Affected models include the 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, as well as the 2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
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According to documents posted on the NHTSA’s website, bearing failures can potentially lead to engine overheating and seizure or breaching of the engine block. Based on complaints from owners, there are very little warning signs, meaning the problems can occur all of a sudden while driving.
No related accident has been reported to the automaker or the NHTSA so far. As mentioned earlier, the probe is at an early stage and aims to identify the scope and severity of the engine issue. General Motors has offered full cooperation.
Depending on what it finds, the NHTSA may decide to conduct further investigation and then mandate a safety recall. In that case, we’ll see if GM dealers will have to replace select parts or the entire engine, which could amount to massive costs for the company.
A similar thing happened to Toyota last year, with a recall on more than 100,000 Tundra pickups and Lexus LX SUVs from the 2022-2023 model years (including 9,979 in Canada) because certain machining debris may not have been cleared from the twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 when it was produced. Those debris could lead to bearing failure resulting in engine knocking, rough running, an inability to start or a loss of power.
As it turned out, Toyota decided to replace the engine altogether instead of making any type of repairs.