BREAKING: GM is officially recalling the L87

[viven44]

Have the dealer change the oil, then pull the drain plug and put what you want in the engine. Hell even the Costco Kirkland Synthetic oil is good and cheap. Again, oil is cheaper than steel.

Its not really ALL about the warranty. I don't want to waste any time on it as its not mine, and I'm certainly not in the mind to do any favors for the future owner (I have been down this path many times.. and sadly the new car smell wears off soon and its time to upgrade, haha). But I've been told this one is to keep.... I'd rather hedge my bets on not doing anything now, and potentially replacing stuff later. Maybe find a parts/wrecked truck with the 6.6L and swap down the line. Fortunately GM is good with bellhousing compatibility, etc across platforms.... (all of mine are the blue oval variety and bellhousing compatibilty sucks for swaps, etc...)

 

[viven44]

Something else besides programming and shift points and oil is adrift. 6.2 is in the 2020 pickups, with the 10L80 and the DFM. Those weren’t in the recall or the blowing rod bearings or crank bearings lore…

DELETED

Update: Nevermind I read your statement wrong.... 2020 trucks only... yes that is strange..... 2020s should also be covered if there were no differences, but evidently there may be differences.

Good observation

 

[Marky Dissod]

The owner’s manual for L87-equipped models calls for 0W20.

In the USA, bound by CAFE MpG regulations, yes.
However:
What is the motor oil spec for L87 equipped vehicles OUTSIDE the USA (not subject to CAFE MpG testing)?
What is the motor oil spec for Corvettes with LT1, LT2, LT4, LT5?
What is the motor oil spec for L8T equipped vehicles?

I'd imagine a truck would certainly be given all the leverage it needs to move the family,
and some load in the bed, vs. a family hauler ... but I haven't driven one to know if that is true.

CAFE MpG testing very strongly induces GM to program upshifts to happen as early as possible, and to delay downshifts.
Given identical axle(s) gearing, with identical 10L80s, GM would very likely upshift the 6.2L before the 5.3L,
effectively lugging the 6.2L compared to the 5.3L in identically 'conservative' driving conditions.

Not crazy enough to suggest that the simple fix is to drive with the Tow / Haul shift schedule enabled,
even though it would lug the 6.2L less than the Normal shift schedule.

Too bad it's so hard to tune L87 vehicles ...

 

[jfoj]

Something else besides programming and shift points and oil is adrift. 6.2 is in the 2020 pickups, with the 10L80 and the DFM. Those weren’t in the recall or the blowing rod bearings or crank bearings lore…

The pickups were lighter by close to 1000 lbs in some configurations. But I am sure there were many small changes from 2020 to 2024 to include ECM and TCM tuning as well. Interesting looking at the fuel economy is about 1 MPG lower on the 2024 Yukon 4WD with the 6.2l than the 2020 GMC Sierra 4WD. Again, probably weight difference, which would also require a different level of torque on the highway.

The other MAJOR factor is how the vehicles are used. I have seen this situation repeated many times over. The Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Esclade was usually a people/kid haulers. Often these may be driven by the "Wife/Mom" to haul kids to a from school, sports events, appointments and so forth. Often the vehicles are used either for many short trips and/or have stupid idle time for either warm up in the Winter, staying cool in the Summer or just waiting in carpool lines or in the car during sporting events. The short trips kill the engine oil in these engines with fuel and moisture. I also think these engines are often chronically run low on engine oil due to oil consumption. The low oil light typically does not come on until 2 quarts low on oil. The less oil in the crankcase, the faster is gets to a higher contamination level. I have logged that it takes the engine oil 30 minutes of driving to warm up in temps even in the 45F range.

Then the pin on the grenade is often when Spring Break or vacation time comes around, the car is loaded up and head off on a long trip, then the grenade goes off! So many of the 6.2l bearing failures have been at highway speed.

You typically do not see the pickups used as much as kid haulers. So I think a lot of what we have seen on failed engines tend to be more SUV's rather than trucks, at least this is what I have been reading.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

But,

The pickups were lighter by close to 1000 lbs in some configurations. But I am sure there were many small changes from 2020 to 2024 to include ECM and TCM tuning as well. Interesting looking at the fuel economy is about 1 MPG lower on the 2024 Yukon 4WD with the 6.2l than the 2020 GMC Sierra 4WD. Again, probably weight difference, which would also require a different level of torque on the highway.

The other MAJOR factor is how the vehicles are used. I have seen this situation repeated many times over. The Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Esclade was usually a people/kid haulers. Often these may be driven by the "Wife/Mom" to haul kids to a from school, sports events, appointments and so forth. Often the vehicles are used either for many short trips and/or have stupid idle time for either warm up in the Winter, staying cool in the Summer or just waiting in carpool lines or in the car during sporting events. The short trips kill the engine oil in these engines with fuel and moisture. I also think these engines are often chronically run low on engine oil due to oil consumption. The low oil light typically does not come on until 2 quarts low on oil. The less oil in the crankcase, the faster is gets to a higher contamination level. I have logged that it takes the engine oil 30 minutes of driving to warm up in temps even in the 45F range.

Then the pin on the grenade is often when Spring Break or vacation time comes around, the car is loaded up and head off on a long trip, then the grenade goes off! So many of the 6.2l bearing failures have been at highway speed.

You typically do not see the pickups used as much as kid haulers. So I think a lot of what we have seen on failed engines tend to be more SUV's rather than trucks, at least this is what I have been reading.

this logic is OK, but still does not explain leaving 2020 off the recall. The defect is the engine…same thing in the trucks as the SUV…maybe there was not a foreign bearing supplier in 2020.

 

[Vladimir2306]

So do your research, the 4.8l V8 which is the same platform as the 5.3l and 6.2l without the DFM is/was spec'ed from the beginning to use 5W30 oil. The 4.8l was a small percentage of sales mainly in the work vans and some other vehicles so I do not thing GM had a large percentage of the 4.8l factoring into the CAFE equation.

As for the "Recall" I would not wait on anything from the dealer, the only thing you might get is a free oil change, but I have to read everything over carefully to see if vehicle already sold get oil and filter or just the oil fill cap and maybe a sticky piece of paper to put in the undersized paper owners manual.

Additionally, I have a 2024 that should be part of this recall and I have checked a number of times and my VIN does not show any recalls. I think GM may have close to 1 million VIN's to process and it may take time to get the data processed and uploaded.

The 5.3l and 6.2l are effectively the same engine. If I owned one, I would not be running 0W20 in the 5.3l. The ONLY reason 0W20 oil was ever spec'ed was for miniscule fuel economy improvements, not for engine durability. The ONLY reason the 5.3l engines have not seen the same failure rate of the 6.2l is the 5.3l DOES NOT HAVE THE TORQUE OUTPUT THE 6.2l HAS. The TCM keeps the 6.2l HEAVILY loaded up at highway speeds on slight and medium grades with the engine power/torque output continuously between 70%-100% engine load in the 1500-1700 RPM range. The engine is "lugging" and putting TREMENDOUS load on the rod bearings. Additionally if DFM is operating under 4 cylinders, again, TREMEDOUS loads are being put on the rod bearings. Add fuel to the oil and you are screwed!

TLDR - DO NOT RUN 0W20 oil in any V8 or Diesel engine from any manufacturer if you expect the engine to last more that 15-30k miles. Change the oil every 3500-4000 miles or on a GM target about 50% of the OLM and see if it falls in the 3500-4000 mile range. Oil is cheaper than steel! Dealers rarely even check the oil level on failed engines and I have never seen them pull an oil sample for analysis. The dealer will have no idea what you had in your crankcase. If you are worried, buy the 0W20 oil, copy/save the receipt and return the 0W20 oil and run the oil that needs to be in a working engine.

Then why does 5.3 on 0-20 oil drive without problems, and 6.2 wears out the connecting rod liners

 

[Stbentoak]

TLDR - DO NOT RUN 0W20 oil in any V8 or Diesel engine from any manufacturer if you expect the engine to last more that 15-30k miles. Change the oil every 3500-4000 miles or on a GM target about 50% of the OLM and see if it falls in the 3500-4000 mile range. Oil is cheaper than steel! Dealers rarely even check the oil level on failed engines and I have never seen them pull an oil sample for analysis. The dealer will have no idea what you had in your crankcase. If you are worried, buy the 0W20 oil, copy/save the receipt and return the 0W20 oil and run the oil that needs to be in a working engine.

There is no basis for this on the Duramax. Have seen many Oil Analysis of 5-7k oil that shows no fuel dilution to speak of.... plenty of lubricating/TBN properties left, and changing prior to 5k is just wasting good oil. Have not heard, nor read, about any/many oil related failures of a 3.0 with many many well over 100k at this time. Mine doesn't burn a drop and is right on the full mark day one after an oil change and day 131 after an oil change. Do I Like 0w-20? Not really..... am I going to keep using it? Absolutely thru 6/100.
Bottom line... Different beast and nowhere near the same issues.....

 

[Marky Dissod]

Earlier I asked,
What's the motor oil spec for L87 equipped vehicles OUTSIDE the USA (not subject to CAFE MpG testing)?
So, what's the motor oil spec for LM2 & LZ0 equipped vehicles OUTSIDE the USA?

 

[GMCnewbee]

This thread has been a great read! Back in November 2024 I took our 2022 Denali in for an oil change at 19,500 miles. At that time I had read a lot here about oil viscosity and asked the Dealer for something heavier that the 0-20. They said no dice, that the 0-20 was what the factory called for if I wanted to keep my warranty. But, interesting at the time was that they added a "BGMOA oil conditioner" for $24.95. I'm wondering now if it was a suggestion from GM to the Dealers for a way to maybe head off what they already knew was coming?

A recall decision like this from a large organization does not happen overnight and does not happen without A LOT of discussion and A LOT of data to justify the expense. Having Dealers add an "oil conditioner" might be something I would argue for if I was in one of those meetings. Just saying.

 

[Vladimir2306]

Earlier I asked,
What's the motor oil spec for L87 equipped vehicles OUTSIDE the USA (not subject to CAFE MpG testing)?
So, what's the motor oil spec for LM2 & LZ0 equipped vehicles OUTSIDE the USA?

The same as in the United States. Dexos Oil 0-20

 

[KMeloney]

Mine is on the list. Got the notice in the app.

Has anyone taken his truck in for this “inspection” yet? (I’m assuming it’s too soon after the notice.) Looking forward to hearing what transpired.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Also asked two other questions which got ignored
(not getting any answers from Western Europe - kinda makes sense, was never able to post on this forum from Poland or Turkiye)

What is the motor oil spec for Corvettes with LT1, LT2, LT4, LT5?
What is the motor oil spec for L8T equipped vehicles?
(forgot to specify, inside and outside the USA, since I'd not be surprised by a double standard)

 

[KMeloney]

Also asked two other questions which got ignored
(not getting any answers from Western Europe - kinda makes sense, was never able to post on this forum from Poland or Turkiye)

I’ve got an ‘01 Z06 that calls for 5w-30 Mobile 1.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I’ve got an ‘01 Z06 that calls for 5W30 Mobil1.

Respect to the LS6 ... but a '21 Z06's oil spec is more pertinent here.
(and by now, I'd be using 5W40 for an LS6 in the summer, 0W30 in the winter - again, not pertinent to the last 5 years ...)

 

[DunzoDenali]

Yes this is the band-aid up to 2024, whatever damage the engine has suffered from 0W-20 is there to stay. I think it would be safe to say that anyone that has a 2021-2024 6.2L is well advised to pay attention to this recall and determine what they want to do next.

This is specific to the 6.2.... so I'm not commenting on other engines like the diesels or the 5.3. Shoot, I don't plan to change what I am using on our 2024 5.3, will continue to use 0W-20 until GM makes a recommendation otherwise.

As far as 2025 goes, I would guess they have applied the actual fix on their end, we don't know what that was yet. To be honest, and from personal experience, these corporations are quite dumb when it comes to doing the right thing so I wouldn't be surprised if nothing has changed in the 2025 year model but they haven't made the recommendations yet from internal politics (fleet avg economy, etc).... I have worked in several in engineering functions, and one shouldn’t be surprised how poorly they communicate within the company, and how much the 9-5 employees care to do anymore, or afraid to do the right thing. A whistleblower is nice to have from time to time.....

Being pretty far along in the failure process pre-recall, I am left with a lot of questions. For one - I’ve had a total engine replacement in 2025 rod (bearing failure in original engine) and the replacement engine failed in approximately 10 miles (I’ve been told camshaft components). Now the replacement engine (which clearly was also faulty) is under recall.

So what exactly do they plan to replace failing engines with? More failing engines?

 

[jfoj]

But,

this logic is OK, but still does not explain leaving 2020 off the recall. The defect is the engine…same thing in the trucks as the SUV…maybe there was not a foreign bearing supplier in 2020.

NHTSA bases most of their investigations on "Reported Problems/Failures". My guess is with the 2020 models, especially the pickups did not have the failure rate of the SUV's based on the lighter weight, how they are used and that many of the pickups were possibly "Company/Fleet" vehicles that either had better maintenance, higher miles and out of Warranty and someone did not take the time to report failures.

Like anything if there are not reports/complaints filed about failures to the NHTSA they are oblivious to what is going on in the world. They unfortunately cannot open investigations up based on Social Media and Forum posts.

 

[jfoj]

There is no basis for this on the Duramax. Have seen many Oil Analysis of 5-7k oil that shows no fuel dilution to speak of.... plenty of lubricating/TBN properties left, and changing prior to 5k is just wasting good oil. Have not heard, nor read, about any/many oil related failures of a 3.0 with many many well over 100k at this time. Mine doesn't burn a drop and is right on the full mark day one after an oil change and day 131 after an oil change. Do I Like 0w-20? Not really..... am I going to keep using it? Absolutely thru 6/100.
Bottom line... Different beast and nowhere near the same issues.....

I have it on some very good authority that any Duramax running 0W20 is not ideal. While you may have had good luck, I have heard otherwise. Choose to do what you want to do, I am just putting info out here for people to consider. Again, with any of these vehicles a lot comes down to how the vehicle is driven. Give the Mom/Housewife a Diesel SUV to run kids back and forth to school and events 3-5 miles round trip, nothing good will come from it.

I have changed the oil in my 6.2l 3 times in 6k miles. There are reasons, I will likely settle on 3500-4000 miles, but I want to see where the 50% OLM indicator show up as well. The needle bearings in the lifters are the real weak point long term.

 

[jfoj]

Then why does 5.3 on 0-20 oil drive without problems, and 6.2 wears out the connecting rod liners

The 5.3l is not put under the stress the 6.2l is by the TCM causing very high Torque loading up to 100% at 1500-1700 when cruising on the highway pulling slight to medium grades. I have not towed with my truck yet or put the vehicle in Tow mode and monitored the Torque loading yet, but I assume in Tow mode the TCM will use more engine RPM overall, i.e. downshift more frequently and into lower gears to use RPM to its advantage.

 

[jfoj]

This thread has been a great read! Back in November 2024 I took our 2022 Denali in for an oil change at 19,500 miles. At that time I had read a lot here about oil viscosity and asked the Dealer for something heavier that the 0-20. They said no dice, that the 0-20 was what the factory called for if I wanted to keep my warranty. But, interesting at the time was that they added a "BGMOA oil conditioner" for $24.95. I'm wondering now if it was a suggestion from GM to the Dealers for a way to maybe head off what they already knew was coming?

A recall decision like this from a large organization does not happen overnight and does not happen without A LOT of discussion and A LOT of data to justify the expense. Having Dealers add an "oil conditioner" might be something I would argue for if I was in one of those meetings. Just saying.

BGMOA is ONLY a PROFIT center for the Service Department, they are not worried about protecting your engine. GM suggests NO oil additives.

 

[DunzoDenali]

If anyone on here has received a component coverage letter for related engine replacement/repairs, I’d appreciate details on 1. when, and 2. Was it transferable or non-transferable.

Feel free to message privately if preferred