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NHTSA Probing More Than 877,000 GM Trucks and SUVs over Engine Failure
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary probe into more than 877,000 trucks and SUVs built by General Motors. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 39 complaints of engine failure due to a problem linked to faulty connecting rod bearings.
Launched in January 2025, the probe includes an estimated 877,710 vehicles powered by the 6.2-liter V-8 L87 engine. The following vehicles built from the 2019 to 2024 model years are under investigation:
- 2019 to 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2019 to 2024 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2021 to 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021 to 2024 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2021 to 2024 GMC Yukon
- 2021 to 2024 Cadillac Escalade (including the ESV model)
NHTSA documents describe one problem for all of these vehicles: at least one connecting rod bearing fails and either causes the engine to seize or results in a thrown rod. Owners of affected models who have experienced an engine failure told the NHTSA there’s no warning that the engine is about to fail.
“I was driving up a hill passing a semi at 60 mph. The engine suddenly stopped running without warning,” the owner of a 2022 Escalade wrote in a complaint sent to the NHTSA in June 2024. “The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the next day I was told the engine had seized and would need to be replaced. The Escalade only had 25,000 miles on the odometer and I had purchased it new 2021,” the owner added.

The NHTSA notes that it’s opening a preliminary evaluation “to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues” it can cause. An evaluation isn’t a recall; if the ODI decides the bearing problem isn’t a safety risk, General Motors won’t legally have to recall the vehicles included in the probe. However, a recall is likely if the ODI finds that the issue makes these vehicles unsafe. The documents point out that an engine failure can increase the risk of a crash.
As of writing, the NHTSA isn’t aware of any accidents, injuries, or fatalities linked to the potential defect. There’s no word yet on how long the investigation will last, or when the ODI will release its findings.
Our 2024 camaro zl1 did this at 2500miles. GM bought it back under Lemon Law. Seized with no warning, stalled out on highway.
Need to go back farther than 2019.
Yes our 2016 Escalade connection rod broke at 89,000 miles. Nice truck but it’s had problems every since we have had it. Now the while going down the road I gave it gas to pass a vehicle the windshield wipers started and the dash just blanked out. It still ran but not correctly but not well. After stopping killing the engine for a couple hours it ran normal. It has done this several times
Yes this happened to my 21 Escalade. They rebuilt the motor from the can up then it blew just after I was out of Warantee. Now I have to pay 25% of a motorcreplacement
My 22’ Sierra did this thankfully on a quiet road & not the highway.
I have a 2021 1500 Silverado, did lifters on both banks and then motor locked up. This happened in early October last year at 58k. Now waiting for a new motor to arrive in Australia….very annoyed.
My 2017 Corvette GS 6.2 engine did this with 24,000 miles on it. Out of warranty GM paid $3900. Of of the $13,000 it cost me
2022 GMC Sierra. 32000 kms. Seized up on side of highway 1200 kms from home. Onstar was no help. Couldn’t even find us. Towed on our own dime home. Paid $1100.00, and gm only refunded $500. Spun bearings. New engine. Will it happen again??
Yep. I experienced the same thing. I want to be very clear. My GMC Yukon is an 2003. 9/15/24 I was going 40 mph and the engine seized up, steering wheel lost power and I had to get out of traffic and coast onto the side walk. Not sure if this 03 applies to what is going on now, but it was a key reason why I decided to sell it. The dealer could not conclude what happened to cause the seizure. Very dangerous.
2023 Tahoe with 33,000 miles. Engine died and was replaced under warranty. New engine is now burning oil at the rate of 2-3 quarts in 4,000 miles when my oil lift still showed 46% remaining. I feel oil consumption could be the issue.
I’m also having oil burn on mine. Happened before first oil change and every subsequent oil change. Dealer is tracking it.
My 2019 escalde 6.2 needed lifters and camshaft at 55k miles. Crazy.
I had a friend with a recent Camaro who had the 3.6L V6 that had the rods start to knock badly and needed a full engine replacement. I do wonder how many engines have had this issue that are not accounted for here.
Look, I hate this happened to everyone who thought they were buying a good vehicle. Next time when you’re looking at a vehicle or considering one: Ask a mechanic. They will like say buy a Toyota- Lexus or anything but a Chevy. And I’ve had probably 10 GM vehicles and most spun the bearings. Went through 2 engine’s in a cobalt and I changed the second one faithfully with Castrol Synthetic. The old Cadillacs were the last if the last real American Quality.
Well I would have agreed with this two years ago. I have a 2023 Toyota Tundra that is waiting for a full engine replacement. Engine longevity seemed to be going in the right direction since the 70s. Looks to be regressing a bit.
I have 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 @ 93k miles I had cylinder 4 lifter failure,it damaged the cam and put metal shavings in the oil
They should investigate my 2020 GMC Terrain that spontaneously caught on fire while I was driving. It was well taken care of, always serviced appropriately. No recalls. GM didn’t seem to care when I called to inform them.
I don’t even know what’s going on with my 2023 Terrain Denali. I purchased June 2024 8500 miles, now at 21k, I was told I have an oil leak which ended up being a rear main seal leak and know I need a engine. Do confused the dealer had had my car since 12/30/24 with spotty updates. I don’t even want the car anymore I don’t trust them. My 4 car from GMC