LZ0 Article & Video - Durability Issues

[2024 White Tahoe]

Here is a brief article and 6-minute video about durability issues developing on the LZ0 Duramax engine: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/05/gm-technician-shows-problem-with-lz0-duramax-engine-video/

 

[Fless]

The article is about the LZ0.

 

[2024 White Tahoe]

The article is about the LZ0.

Thank you.

Post edited.

 

[Fossil Fool]

Here is a brief article and 6-minute video about durability issues developing on the LZ0 Duramax engine: https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/05/gm-technician-shows-problem-with-lz0-duramax-engine-video/

I have been following the reports. I just sent an oil sample for testing. I have 8500 miles on my 2026 Yukon Ang changes the oil at 5000 miles. Hopefully I get a good report.

 

[dukecharmary]

Where did you send your sample for testing, please.

 

[Jus Cruisin]

I have the LZO in my 2025 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and I had the engine sieze while driving with about 5,000 miles on it. There were no warnings, no drama. I started to accelerate away from a roundabout and it "shut off". The dash said to place in park and restart. We'll, it didn't. Engine was replaced and no issues since. I'm going to order it in the 2027 GMC Yukon. I'm sold on the great economy and it pulls my enclosed car trailer great.

 

[NW-99SS]

I would drop the first oil by 1000 miles - and according the The Motor Oil Geek sampling on YouTube, it's imperative to prevent early engine failures.

FTR - I did change the oil on our 26 Yukon LZO at 1000 miles.

 

[genestoy]

I would drop the first oil by 1000 miles - and according the The Motor Oil Geek sampling on YouTube, it's imperative to prevent early engine failures.

FTR - I did change the oil on our 26 Yukon LZO at 1000 miles.

I just did the same at 1000 miles on my 2026 Yukon AT4 LZ0 and also had the dealer fill with Mobil1 and install my PPE oil filter for some added protection.

 

[LEsoftballdad]

I have the LZO in my 2025 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and I had the engine sieze while driving with about 5,000 miles on it. There were no warnings, no drama. I started to accelerate away from a roundabout and it "shut off". The dash said to place in park and restart. We'll, it didn't. Engine was replaced and no issues since. I'm going to order it in the 2027 GMC Yukon. I'm sold on the great economy and it pulls my enclosed car trailer great. View attachment 487201

You're a brave man to buy another one after an engine failure. When my 5.3-liter lifters failed, I got the truck fixed and got rid of it right away. Why run the risk until they get it straightened out?

 

[Stbentoak]

I would drop the first oil by 1000 miles - and according the The Motor Oil Geek sampling on YouTube, it's imperative to prevent early engine failures.

FTR - I did change the oil on our 26 Yukon LZO at 1000 miles.

While I did the same thing because I just do it as a general rule on all new engines, if you have poorly manufactured or incorrectly installed thrust bearing, changing the oil sooner isn't going to change any of your outcomes. Oil in these vehicles is proven/tested valid even beyond 7500 miles. I go a min of 5k after the 1k and don't give it another minute of thought... I can't say I've ever seen an engine fail purely because of "oil" unless it's improper, way low on oil, or ran WAY longer than recommended.

Plenty of people have religiously changed their oil on their 6.2's including viscosity... and they still failed. You can't "Out Oil" defective/ out of spec critical components.....

 

[Jus Cruisin]

You're a brave man to buy another one after an engine failure. When my 5.3-liter lifters failed, I got the truck fixed and got rid of it right away. Why run the risk until they get it straightened out?

Really not brave. I looked at it as being no different than if your a/c compressor craps out. You get the defective replaced and continue on. My neighbor has had the 3.0l for a couple of years and his brother has put over 100,000 miles on them. I just had a fluke. The new one has had no issues and I really don't worry about it. I had the 6.2l in a 2023 and ditched it before the official recall. I'm much happier with the better economy and comparing diesel to premium that the 6.2l uses the fill up cost is similar.

 

[LEsoftballdad]

Really not brave. I looked at it as being no different than if your a/c compressor craps out. You get the defective replaced and continue on. My neighbor has had the 3.0l for a couple of years and his brother has put over 100,000 miles on them. I just had a fluke. The new one has had no issues and I really don't worry about it. I had the 6.2l in a 2023 and ditched it before the official recall. I'm much happier with the better economy and comparing diesel to premium that the 6.2l uses the fill up cost is similar.

I had the LM2, which didn't have thrust-bearing issues. It was more fuel-efficient than the gas engines, but I found the seats in the Yukon to be very uncomfortable.

Sadly, I don't think it's a fluke. It's more widespread than you realize. I hope you don't have the same issue with the next one.

3.0L Duramax: Thrust Bearing Failures | Diesel Dudes Blog

2025-2026 GM 3.0L Duramax thrust bearing failures explained. Early engines failing before 10k miles with P06DD codes. What you need to know.

thedieseldudes.com