BREAKING: GM is officially recalling the L87

[KMeloney]

Yup, impossibly stupid just 1 cylinder!! And not just the same 1 cylinder every time, it jumps around, but unclear really how random it could be.

I have also seen reference to running on 2 cylinders.

So you tell me what this means "but DFM actively turns off any number of cylinders in a variety of combinations"

There is not as much information out there about 100% how the DFM operates other than is has like 17 different operation modes.

I do know for sure that under DFCO (Decel with Fuel Cutoff) they do seem to shut all cylinders down with DFM, or at least in some order this does occur because I have watch the cylinder deactivation counts.

DFM Operation

DFM Overview

I didn't see in my quick review of those articles (thanks for them, btw) where the engine could operate on as low as 1 cylinder. Do you have something else that states this? I get that AFM was either 4 or 8, but I don't see where DFM can be as little as one. I'd think that there would always be at least 2 (opposing) cylinders activated at all times... But that's me trying to think logically.

 

[e2360]

Time for an oil analysis so you can have results back to take when they do an "Inspection" Metal levels may be beneficial if wanting a replacement or challenge their"inspection".

 

[jfoj]

By the way, where did you get the information about the constant load on the engine in the city of 70-80%? Here is the load schedule, I am now driving around the city in the mode of 10-20-30 miles per hour. 70% is the peak when I accelerated a little, and so the average load is 25-30%
When you release the gas pedal, the engine stops supplying fuel to the cylinders at all, haha, you confuse DFM work with forced idling, or this is known as coasting. This was done on carburetor engines)))

Maybe you did not follow all the info I provided or if you needed to translate it did not come over correctly. I have NEVER indicated the engine was operating at 70%+ load in the city, non of my graphs I have posted showed this. All the 70%-100% loading was done on at highway speeds primarily in 10th gear, sometimes in 9th when the transmission downshifts. This is usually when pulling very slight to mild grades, nothing steep at all.

These seem to also be the typically conditions when these engines have failed/locked up as well, almost always traveling somewhere between 60-75 MPH from all the reports I have seen.

As for the tool you are using, based on its format and size I really do not think you have the ability for that tool to actually monitor cylinder deactivation. More advanced tools will show what cylinders are active/deactivated and will also typically give a running counter of how many times each cylinder has been deactivated. I think the running counter is actually stored in the ECM, the tool just has the ability to display these values.

I am not confusing DFM with what you refer to as forced coasting. I am quite familiar with DFCO (Decel With Fuel Cutoff), this typically turns off the fuel injectors and sometimes the ignition coils. This has been going one for probably 30+ years, nothing new about that. I am sure your tool can show you this, but in addition to DFCO it appears for some reason DFM also collapses the lifters during DFCO as well or at least under some conditions.

Not sure if this was done on the AFM vehicles, never spent much time with these. Prior to cylinder deactivation on any manufacturers platforms, DFCO was used, may have tweaked cam timing a bit if that capability was available, but each manufacturer would implement some form of DFCO how they saw fit. Sometime even transmission control could also be implemented. Depends if the manufacturer expects as full of a coast mode or if they want to introduce any engine braking.

Lots and lots of moving parts, probably too many moving parts. All this extra crap does nothing for the end users as far as reliability, it just costs us a lot of money and down time when it fails. AFM and DFM or any cylinder deactivation was never intended for performance and if the engineers thought it would help reliability they were clearly confused.

 

[jfoj]

I didn't see in my quick review of those articles (thanks for them, btw) where the engine could operate on as low as 1 cylinder. Do you have something else that states this? I get that AFM was either 4 or 8, but I don't see where DFM can be as little as one. I'd think that there would always be at least 2 (opposing) cylinders activated at all times... But that's me trying to think logically.

Now just think about what is going on with the rotating engine mass when all the magic is happening. What is going on with the crankshaft torsional twist, crankshaft fore and aft loading, changes in bearing loading. It just is not an ideal situation and it is really not needed. At least with AFM, you had 4-6-8 cylinder behavior, and always the same cylinders, far more balanced and less chaotic.

We all were provided AFM/DFM for the sole reason to meet some arbitrary government standard that made in a dark corner with little to no input from people that have technical experience.

Non technical politicians and bureaucrats making technical decisions will not end well. We are all victims of this mess.

 

[NoYukonYet_1Jeep]

Trying to keep up here. I’m on my 2nd 2023 yukon Denali 6.2L. First one blew the motor at 3600 miles. Did full vehicle replacement. 2nd one has 32k on it and at the (Chevy) dealer right now for oil change. They pulled my codes and I have the loss of propulsion L87 one (see pic) but not the P0016 ppl were referencing. Took a stab at requesting 0w-40 but they wanted to charge close to double so I didn’t throw a fuss. Praying at this point my vehicle doesn’t get marked as condemned and unable to leave the dealer after they swap my oil. Godspeed my fellow 6.2 liters

 

[DanielAndVictoria]

I have a 2022 High Country with about 57k miles. About 3 weeks ago while I was doing about 75 miles an hour on the highway. I heard a little clicking noise. Then the engine just completely died and I was forced to coast over to the median. Car would not restart at all. Thought it was an alternator issue at first. But now we know what the real culprit is. I had complete engine failure. Luckily it will get replaced under the power train warranty regardless. The stupid thing is they told me it would be at least eight weeks before they can even look at the vehicle. And they don’t even offer a loaner vehicle or a rental. Even though they’re replacing this under warranty. Now I don’t care because I have two other vehicles. But this is a major issue for people That this is their primary vehicle and they’re still making payments on it.

 

[jfoj]

Trying to keep up here. I’m on my 2nd 2023 yukon Denali 6.2L. First one blew the motor at 3600 miles. Did full vehicle replacement. 2nd one has 32k on it and at the (Chevy) dealer right now for oil change. They pulled my codes and I have the loss of propulsion L87 one (see pic) but not the P0016 ppl were referencing. Took a stab at requesting 0w-40 but they wanted to charge close to double so I didn’t throw a fuss. Praying at this point my vehicle doesn’t get marked as condemned and unable to leave the dealer after they swap my oil. Godspeed my fellow 6.2 liters

Your vehicle has clearly been recalled and should have the 0W40 oil. The Service Advisor probably does not know this. The dealer will not likely hold your vehicle unless they see a Pending P0016 code. I have seen few cases of a P0016 code before an engine failure.

The remedy not available means they most likely do not have the 0W40 oil fill cap, but they may.

 

[NoYukonYet_1Jeep]

Your vehicle has clearly been recalled and should have the 0W40 oil. The Service Advisor probably does not know this. The dealer will not likely hold your vehicle unless they see a Pending P0016 code. I have seen few cases of a P0016 code before an engine failure.

The remedy not available means they most likely do not have the 0W40 oil fill cap, but they may.

I considered going to an alternate service(external to GM) location and requesting the 0W – 40, or even bringing my own, but I thought that might have an impact on the warranty since they then could not verify that the oil change took place. My opinion was I’ve been running it for 32,000 miles with 0W – 20 and we haven’t died yet. So what’s another few thousand miles. More or less just waiting to see how this all unfolds with the recall. I need my car. I hope that GM is setting up a fleet of loaner vehicles. I wouldn’t mind testing out one of those Silverado EV‘s to be honest.GM.. if you’re listening ..

 

[NoYukonYet_1Jeep]

I have a 2022 High Country with about 57k miles. About 3 weeks ago while I was doing about 75 miles an hour on the highway. I heard a little clicking noise. Then the engine just completely died and I was forced to coast over to the median. Car would not restart at all. Thought it was an alternator issue at first. But now we know what the real culprit is. I had complete engine failure. Luckily it will get replaced under the power train warranty regardless. The stupid thing is they told me it would be at least eight weeks before they can even look at the vehicle. And they don’t even offer a loaner vehicle or a rental. Even though they’re replacing this under warranty. Now I don’t care because I have two other vehicles. But this is a major issue for people That this is their primary vehicle and they’re still making payments on it.

The story is all too familiar. It’s pretty sad that I’m actually impressed You made it to 57,000 miles. I didn’t even make it to 4K . What a nightmare / joke of a scenario. Good luck with the motor swap

 

[jfoj]

I considered going to an alternate service(external to GM) location and requesting the 0W – 40, or even bringing my own, but I thought that might have an impact on the warranty since they then could not verify that the oil change took place. My opinion was I’ve been running it for 32,000 miles with 0W – 20 and we haven’t died yet. So what’s another few thousand miles. More or less just waiting to see how this all unfolds with the recall. I need my car. I hope that GM is setting up a fleet of loaner vehicles. I wouldn’t mind testing out one of those Silverado EV‘s to be honest.GM.. if you’re listening ..

Fresh 0W20 would be better than oil with 5k+ miles on it. To be honest I have no interest in allowing my OLM to go below 50%.

For the recall, all that is needed is for the dealer to check for a P0016 code, I think remove the oil filter and cut it open to look for metal, then if no code or metal, put OW40 in the engine, install a new oil filter and put an oil cap that has 0W40 printed on it. Pretty simple, but maybe GM has not provided the dealer info on cars that are not in inventory?

 

[ZKWBQD]

Massive Recall Announced for GM 6.2L L87 V8 Engines in 2021–2024 Trucks and SUVs Due to Risk of Engine Failure | GM-Trucks.com

GM issues recall for 2021–2024 trucks and SUVs with 6.2L L87 V8 engines due to crankshaft defects. Learn what’s affected and how 0W-40 oil plays a role.

www.gm-trucks.com

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in certain 2021 – 2024 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with the 6.2L V8 gas engine (RPO L87). The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Safety Risk Description

If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

View attachment 455776

Also, just got this notice for my Yukon from Carfax Car Care.

One interesting thing I noticed is that GM is now recommending 0W-40 instead of 20. We were right.

Do you mean 20W-40 or 0W-20, or something else?

 

[PPK_]

When I called a local dealer about the recall, the service guy made a comment about there being dirt/contamination in the production process of the metal of these engine parts [that is causing the failures]. Now, I don't know if that's his interpretation of the terms used in the bulletin(s), or whether he got that info on good authority. Well prior to the recall coming out, though, when he had 3 trucks at the dealership waiting for new engines, he said that the failures were due to [a run of] poorly manufactured parts. To me, that checks out/is the culprit here.

My guess is tooling to build motors... not what it what it was in my 2018 SLT... That is my 2024 Nov Built yukon 5.3 first change at 600 miles. it was full of material.. other than oil. i did three changes to get it decent..

My estimate is something has happened to tooling.. or something effecting cleaning of blocks, pistons, lifters.. heads.. the filter should get everything over 30 microns.. but.. that still leaves a lot to get through. its pitiful.

 

[corpnupe85]

I went to the dealer on 4.29.2025 because I was alerted that my 2021 Tahoe High Country was a part of the recall. They told me there is not a fix for the issue yet. They just told me to wait until more information is received. I may go to another dealer.

 

[NELLY1947]

So why not change the oil to that in 2025? Or diesels ? Or any other vehicle that uses 0w-20?

I'm not buying the oil fix. I think it could be a bandaid one vehicles with problems but the underlying problem will still remain.

I just called my dealer and he went . HOLLY CR#&*. I knew this was coming. Just too many problems. As far as he is concerned their oil trick is a no .no.
What happens on 3-5years from now and you have sold the unit and gobto a oil change shop and they Put in 20 and you stress out the motor????

 

[KMeloney]

I went to the dealer on 4.29.2025 because I was alerted that my 2021 Tahoe High Country was a part of the recall. They told me there is not a fix for the issue yet. They just told me to wait until more information is received. I may go to another dealer.

You're going to get the same response from other dealers until they've gotten more info (and new oil caps).

 

[KMeloney]

What happens on 3-5years from now and you have sold the unit and gobto a oil change shop and they Put in 20 and you stress out the motor????

What exactly are you asking here? (If you're saying that someone unsuspecting of all of this won't know to put 0w-40 in it 3-5 years from now, well, that's what the new oil cap [with 0w-40 printed on it] is for.)

 

[Jocko PDX]

I called my dealer this AM and they confirmed that my engine was on the bad list.. I said what now? The service guy responded that he did not know and that they did not have clear direction from GM. He said that they had been originally been directed to change the oil wait but now that plan was being scrapped.. Oh boy

 

[blanchard7684]

I’m really not liking the p0016 being a go / no-go on this.

 

[Marky Dissod]

What is being very strongly implied - and should be inferred - is that GM has been chronically seeking out ever lower bidders,
and ever lower assembly costs.
Anyone who noticed Boeing's manufacturing quality decline over the past decade would not be surprised at GM's manufacturing quality decline trend.

All of you wondering when your L87's are gonna metal-schidt their crankcases,
GET YOUR MOTOR OIL ANALYZED ASAP.

Us motor oil suitable for an L8T, or an LT1 / LT2 / LT4 / LT5.

 

[blanchard7684]

I called my dealer this AM and they confirmed that my engine was on the bad list.. I said what now? The service guy responded that he did not know and that they did not have clear direction from GM. He said that they had been originally been directed to change the oil wait but now that plan was being scrapped.. Oh boy

Hell their only recourse is either

1) put correctly manufactured parts in all 6.2 in affected range ( good bye stock price). This one is best option for customer. I mean this is what we paid $80 K or more for right?

The wait would be terrible. This is where the 0w40 is a potent stop gap.

2) thoroughly revise engine and transmission mapping to neuter the 6.2 low end torque ( this will just piss off the customer )

The more I think about this 0w40 aspect the more I don’t like it.