BREAKING: GM is officially recalling the L87

[BacDoc]

@23Seven

I dumped the factory fill at 544 miles and 0W20 has not ever been on my property or near my vehicle. Never looking back.

My 2024 6.2l is "CURRENTLY" outside the recall window, BUT GM may move the goal posts again.

Interesting how with the L87 GM added the DFM AND they quit using the Teflon or coated rod bearings. Apparently the L86 had coated main and rod bearings, but for some reason GM decided to drop the coated bearings for just the connecting rods in the L87, the main bearings that I have seen have still been coated. Maybe they changed this along the way as well??

Looking at the GM parts catalog it looks like the L86 and L87 now have the same non coated rod bearings, so GM may have discontinued using these on the connecting rods for some reason.

Kind of stupid IMHO, the bearing coating adds an extra layer of protection mainly for the Auto Stop/Start and "dry" bearing starts. This is also where the higher viscosity oil helps keep the bearings "wet" during Stop/Start conditions. Coated bearings also help when the oil film breaks down or gets too thin to keep metal on metal contact limited or eliminated depending on the situation. But I think my truck maybe had less than 6 Auto Stop/Start events before I took delivery. I will go back look, I think the ECU keeps this data as I recall seeing something regarding the Auto Stop/Start counts.

Anyway, for the 0W20 lovers and the folks that push the OLM to 0%, I wish you a long and healthy engine life. I know how I am going to treat and maintain my 6.2l and I have no worries.

I heard RFK jr is starting a new automotive health campaign - get rid of 0-20W oil make American V8 motors healthy again!

 

[Scarey]

I think he said you don’t need any oil.

 

[vcode]

This is where you need to take matters into your own hands. You CANNOT rely on the dealer network, they have to tow the standard GM line. I get it, they are a franchised dealer and they have rules. But the faster you can get away from a dealer the better off you will likely be.

The vehicles in inventory, Demos, used, trade ins, CPO's all are on the priority list. The reason is the dealers cannot sell any vehicles with a open recall. They probably could sell used/trade ins with an open recall, BUT there will be no protection from GM if something bad happens. So most dealers follow the federal guidelines that no new vehicle can be sold with an open recall. Additionally dealers get financial support for vehicles they cannot sell from GM, so they are not loosing their backsides sitting on inventory they cannot sell. I assume they may be able to apply for the financial assistance for used/trade in/auction purchases??

GM has not flipped the switch for customer vehicles to be "inspected" yet, I believe it may be soon, it may have already happened as of June 1 and maybe the message has not made it into the service department staff??? But as I recall GM indicated the recalls would be "STAGED" and starting sometime in June. I assume they may start with the 2021 models, but who knows. GM has poorly handled a lot of their recalls lately and they are carefully dancing around committing to do the right thing for the customers IMHO. Between the engine and transmission problems and the numbers that GM has to deal with they are screwed both financially and from a time standpoint. It will take a LONG time to get all of these vehicles inspected and I do not even think GM has the amount of 0W40 oil on hand to address the volume of vehicles they will need to "inspect".

Me, I move on and take care of my self. I would never run the OLM beyond 50% in current vehicles, just too much risk. You also cannot turn the clock back if you ran the OLM to 100% for 100,000 miles and then decided you want to keep the vehicle longer. You would have only changed the oil 10 more times typically in the 100,000 miles. Assuming you are paying top dollar, maybe $2500 more in maintenance, if you cannot afford that, then I do not know what to say. I change my own oil and it costs me around $70. There are people that spend more than this at Starbucks a month, the good part is I don't drink coffee, I maintain my vehicles.

I would be putting 0W40 in the engine at my cost until it was time for inspection. If I had concerns, I would put 0W20 back in the engine. If I had real concerns, I would drain the current 0W20 into clean pan and save it and the current oil filter to put the oil back in along with the oil filter for the "Inspection".

Many ways to skin the cat, you can sit there and worry or wonder what may happen or take the bull by the horns. Anytime I plan on travel or towing, I typically change the oil BEFORE I take a trip if there is any question about what the oil life will be by the time I return. I would rather start the trip with fresh oil, than to push the envelope. But this is me, everyone does things their way.

I doubt that there any new vehicles affected by this recall. Very few 2024's left on the lots. And if they did sell you a used vehicle with an open recall, what makes you think GM won't stand behind it? You will get a recall notice from GM once registration has been processed by the state.

 

[23Seven]

@23Seven

I dumped the factory fill at 544 miles and 0W20 has not ever been on my property or near my vehicle. Never looking back.

My 2024 6.2l is "CURRENTLY" outside the recall window, BUT GM may move the goal posts again.

Interesting how with the L87 GM added the DFM AND they quit using the Teflon or coated rod bearings. Apparently the L86 had coated main and rod bearings, but for some reason GM decided to drop the coated bearings for just the connecting rods in the L87, the main bearings that I have seen have still been coated. Maybe they changed this along the way as well??

Looking at the GM parts catalog it looks like the L86 and L87 now have the same non coated rod bearings, so GM may have discontinued using these on the connecting rods for some reason.

Kind of stupid IMHO, the bearing coating adds an extra layer of protection mainly for the Auto Stop/Start and "dry" bearing starts. This is also where the higher viscosity oil helps keep the bearings "wet" during Stop/Start conditions. Coated bearings also help when the oil film breaks down or gets too thin to keep metal on metal contact limited or eliminated depending on the situation. But I think my truck maybe had less than 6 Auto Stop/Start events before I took delivery. I will go back look, I think the ECU keeps this data as I recall seeing something regarding the Auto Stop/Start counts.

Anyway, for the 0W20 lovers and the folks that push the OLM to 0%, I wish you a long and healthy engine life. I know how I am going to treat and maintain my 6.2l and I have no worries.

I’m with you but unfortunately did not change my 2024 to 0W-40 until 4,500 miles when all this recall info started and that was the time I found out they used 0W-20. I had the free dealer oil change at 2k before a 2k mile trip pulling a trailer and they put 0W-20, and again I didn’t look at what they put in until I checked the paperwork after news of the recall. My assumption was 5W-30 was still the right stuff as it always was.

I guess we’ll see if they extend the recall out to late 2024 builds? Hopefully I didn’t hurt anything on that trailer trip with the thinner oil!

 

[Vladimir2306]

I’m with you but unfortunately did not change my 2024 to 0W-40 until 4,500 miles when all this recall info started and that was the time I found out they used 0W-20. I had the free dealer oil change at 2k before a 2k mile trip pulling a trailer and they put 0W-20, and again I didn’t look at what they put in until I checked the paperwork after news of the recall. My assumption was 5W-30 was still the right stuff as it always was.

I guess we’ll see if they extend the recall out to late 2024 builds? Hopefully I didn’t hurt anything on that trailer trip with the thinner oil!

I think you have nothing to worry about. In a normally assembled engine, 0-20 oil shows itself perfectly. 0-40 oil will not help a poorly assembled engine, but it can slightly extend its life, but this is not for sure. Look at the oil pressure scale. If it is above 1/4 of the scale on a warm engine at idle, then you don't have to worry. If it is lower, then you can fill the oil with 0-40 and try to diagnose the engine

 

[vcode]

I’m with you but unfortunately did not change my 2024 to 0W-40 until 4,500 miles when all this recall info started and that was the time I found out they used 0W-20. I had the free dealer oil change at 2k before a 2k mile trip pulling a trailer and they put 0W-20, and again I didn’t look at what they put in until I checked the paperwork after news of the recall. My assumption was 5W-30 was still the right stuff as it always was.

I guess we’ll see if they extend the recall out to late 2024 builds? Hopefully I didn’t hurt anything on that trailer trip with the thinner oil!

LOL, they haven't used 5W30 for over a decade now.

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

Ford has decided to copy GM and their engine failures: https://fordauthority.com/2025/06/2025-ford-pickups-vans-suvs-recalled-over-v6-engine-failures/

 

[Antonm]

Skimming through the last few pages of this thread (I haven't been keeping up with it), but man,,,there is sure a lot of disinformation (some of it Russian disinformation) in it..

There is no instance , no environment, no set of operating conditions where an 0W20 oil outperforms / protects the engine better than an 0W40 oil,,,, not a single one.

Literally anything the 0W20 oil does, any lubrication or protection it provides, the 0W40 does at least equally as well or better in 100% of use cases.

Can an 0W20 oil work,,,, under ideal conditions it certainly can and has been. Anything other that perfect / ideal conditions the 0W40 oil will provide more/ better protection

Can 0W40 cause any issues if used in place of an 0W20,,, nope, absolutely not. The one and only downside to 0W40 is a very, very slight reduction in fuel economy, that's it, nothing else.

0W20 oil was and is spec'd by GM for one reason,,,, CAFE standards. If they don't meet the standards set by our tree hugging government , then they get fined/ taxed. GM is a business, and all business's are in business to make money, so they do whatever they can to meet the standards/ not pay fines or taxes.

Its not a hard concept, and not hard academically to understand. Pretty basic if you have even the slightest clue, which a lot of the loudest voices in this thread do not have.
...

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Skimming through the last few pages of this thread (I haven't been keeping up with it), but man,,,there is sure a lot of disinformation (some of it Russian disinformation) in it..

There is no instance , no environment, no set of operating conditions where an 0W20 oil outperforms / protects the engine better than an 0W40 oil,,,, not a single one.

Literally anything the 0W20 oil does, any lubrication or protection it provides, the 0W40 does at least equally as well or better in 100% of use cases.

Can an 0W20 oil work,,,, under ideal conditions it certainly can and has been. Anything other that perfect / ideal conditions the 0W40 oil will provide more/ better protection

Can 0W40 cause any issues if used in place of an 0W20,,, nope, absolutely not. The one and only downside to 0W40 is a very, very slight reduction in fuel economy, that's it, nothing else.

0W20 oil was and is spec'd by GM for one reason,,,, CAFE standards. If they don't meet the standards set by our tree hugging government , then they get fined/ taxed. GM is a business, and all business's are in business to make money, so they do whatever they can to meet the standards/ not pay fines or taxes.

Its not a hard concept, and not hard academically to understand. Pretty basic if you have even the slightest clue, which a lot of the loudest voices in this thread do not have.
...

Is there any concern with the oil operated collapsible lifters and a more viscous oil? I can’t think of any, but asking because that is about the only other oil related function I can think of.

 

[jfoj]

@WalleyeMikeIII

Understand that GM has engines with the exact same lifters speced to run on even 5W30 and 0W40 engine oil. GM has also speced any non replacement engines in the recall window to operate on 0W40 oil.

Most of the lifter problems are not due to oil type, they are due to crappy design, long oil change intervals and the roller bearings on the lifters failing more so due to 0W20 oil.

The sooner most people realize that 0W20 oil is not for your/our engine long term reliability, the better off everyone will be.

 

[blanchard7684]

Ford has decided to copy GM and their engine failures: https://fordauthority.com/2025/06/2025-ford-pickups-vans-suvs-recalled-over-v6-engine-failures/

Lord have mercy.

 

[Aggie76]

At least Ford seems to caught their issue and issued the recall pretty quick compared to GM.

 

[jfoj]

Ford engine failure numbers are pretty low, they have a very narrow window for the failures, weeks, not years.

But the Ford 10 speed automatic transmissions are also problematic similar to the GM variant. Slightly different symptoms/failures, but problems non the less.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Ford has decided to copy GM and their engine failures: https://fordauthority.com/2025/06/2025-ford-pickups-vans-suvs-recalled-over-v6-engine-failures/

Only Difference is, the Blue Oval didn't let production go on for 3 years first...looks to only be a few months production.

 

[viven44]

The clearances in the lifter operation are orders of magnitude larger than bearing clearances. Compare the 2 below (A is significantly larger than B) and it should be clear why oil type isn't a care about for the lifters

A) Viscosity difference between cold, lukewarm, and hot of any oil (0W-20 and 0W-40) --- to my knowledge AFM/DFM activation isn't dependent on oil temperature (It may be disabled in very cold situations, but on a normal summer day I'd assume it kicks in after a few mins ?.... but I know for a fact it doesn't require coming up to full operating temp... if that is the case that would be news to me).

B) Viscosity difference between 0W-20 and 0W-40 when hot. This difference is small enough however to make a difference in the bearing clearance domain.

Speaking of viscosity, empirically we don't see 6.2Ls dropping unless they are at operating temps already... so, 100% short trip use case may actual fare OK I know ...I know there are other perils with short tripping (GDI and all)... just being silly.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

@WalleyeMikeIII

The sooner most people realize that 0W20 oil is not for your/our engine long term reliability, the better off everyone will be.

You realize John-Q-Public is likely to follow the manufacturer recommendation over @jfoj or any other internet forum member, right?
Not saying you are wrong, but "everyone" is mostly John-Q-Public, and that guy isn't on TahoeYukon Forum...just sayin...

@WalleyeMikeIII is on here, and even tried to get my dealer to swap me to 0W40, and got told "not yet." Given the situation, and the relative cost of an engine, my curent powertrain warranty status (in effect)...and the sensitivity of this recall...I am going to follow GM instructions to the letter, at least until the inspection is done. At which time I am swapping to 0W40 if my engine passes. If it fails and gets a replacement, GM says 0W20.

Now, I wonder about people that have a service contract...ever dove deep into the wording there? Virtually all of them have a clause saying something similar to: if you don't follow the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule and use manufacturer recommended fluids, your service contract provider is not obligated to pay for your repairs.

However, you do make a solid argument that if you went w/ 0W-40, maybe your odds of repairs are not so good.

Man, this whole thing really just stinks.

My hope for my future is:
1) I pass the picoscope test
2) I get 0W-40 cap and oil change
3) I happily run 0W40 forever more (or at least until my trade in date, which is hopefully sometime past 2028

FWIW, here is the excerpt on maintenance from the GMEPP sample contract:

 

[vcode]

Skimming through the last few pages of this thread (I haven't been keeping up with it), but man,,,there is sure a lot of disinformation (some of it Russian disinformation) in it..

There is no instance , no environment, no set of operating conditions where an 0W20 oil outperforms / protects the engine better than an 0W40 oil,,,, not a single one.

Literally anything the 0W20 oil does, any lubrication or protection it provides, the 0W40 does at least equally as well or better in 100% of use cases.

Can an 0W20 oil work,,,, under ideal conditions it certainly can and has been. Anything other that perfect / ideal conditions the 0W40 oil will provide more/ better protection

Can 0W40 cause any issues if used in place of an 0W20,,, nope, absolutely not. The one and only downside to 0W40 is a very, very slight reduction in fuel economy, that's it, nothing else.

0W20 oil was and is spec'd by GM for one reason,,,, CAFE standards. If they don't meet the standards set by our tree hugging government , then they get fined/ taxed. GM is a business, and all business's are in business to make money, so they do whatever they can to meet the standards/ not pay fines or taxes.

Its not a hard concept, and not hard academically to understand. Pretty basic if you have even the slightest clue, which a lot of the loudest voices in this thread do not have.
...

So the manufacturing defects have nothing to do with this? Because absent the defects, there would be no recall. Tens of millions of engines that have traveled hundreds of billions of miles proves 0W20 is perfectly adequate.

 

[blanchard7684]

...and we're off!

I'll stay out of this round of 0w20 vs 0w40. I've said plenty.

 

[Antonm]

So the manufacturing defects have nothing to do with this? Because absent the defects, there would be no recall. Tens of millions of engines that have traveled hundreds of billions of miles proves 0W20 is perfectly adequate.

If you would engage your brain and actually read the post you quoted before opening your mouth, then you'd see that I did in fact address exactly what you so sarcastically are trying to point out with your silly "gottcha" question.

Here, I'll post it again below for you.

"Can an 0W20 oil work,,,, under ideal conditions it certainly can and has been. Anything other that perfect / ideal conditions the 0W40 oil will provide more/ better protection"

Also in the post you quoted was another statement that is also equally true,,, it went "Pretty basic if you have even the slightest clue, which a lot of the loudest voices in this thread do not have."
...

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

...and we're off!

I'll stay out of this round of 0w20 vs 0w40. I've said plenty.

Nope, I’m not starting that debate…only stating my intentions…