If you’ve spent $80,000 on a shiny new Cadillac Escalade or a GMC Sierra Denali, the last thing you expect is for the engine to basically explode while you’re cruising down the highway at 70 mph. But for thousands of owners, that nightmare has become a reality. General Motors is currently staring down the barrel of a massive legal headache as it remains mired in litigation over its 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine.
It’s a mess. Honestly, "mess" might be an understatement. We are talking about nearly a million vehicles—the heavy hitters of the GM lineup—allegedly carrying a "ticking time bomb" under the hood.
The Core of the Chaos: What’s Actually Wrong?
The L87 is supposed to be the crown jewel of GM’s small-block family. It’s got the power, the torque, and that signature V8 rumble. However, multiple lawsuits, including the consolidated class action Powell v. General Motors in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, claim the engine suffers from catastrophic manufacturing defects.
Specifically, the lawsuits point to the bottom end of the engine. We’re talking about connecting rods and crankshaft bearings. According to documents filed in court and NHTSA investigation PE25001, these components might have been manufactured with "out-of-spec" dimensions or contaminated with metal sediment during production.
When a bearing fails in a high-compression V8, it’s rarely a quiet affair.
The engine can seize instantly.
Sometimes a connecting rod decides it wants to see the outside world and punches a hole right through the engine block.
Owners have reported these failures happening with as little as 1,200 miles on the odometer. Imagine buying a brand-new truck, barely finishing the break-in period, and having the motor give up the ghost while you're passing a semi-truck. It's terrifying.
Which Vehicles Are Caught in the Crosshairs?
This isn't just a niche problem affecting a few custom builds. The L87 is the high-output option for the best-selling trucks and SUVs in America. If you own or lease one of the following models from the 2019 to 2024 model years, you’re likely driving a vehicle mentioned in the litigation:
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (The workhorse)
- GMC Sierra 1500 (And its fancy Denali sibling)
- Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban
- GMC Yukon and Yukon XL
- Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV
Interestingly, while the lawsuits cover a broad range, GM’s official recall (N252494000) specifically targeted about 600,000 vehicles built within a narrower window—roughly March 2021 to May 2024. But the lawyers suing GM say that’s not enough. They argue the defect exists in 2019 and 2020 models too, and that GM is trying to limit its liability by narrowing the scope.
The "Band-Aid" Fix That Sparked More Lawsuits
In April 2025, GM finally blinked and issued a recall. But their solution has actually fueled more legal fire. For many vehicles, the "fix" doesn't involve a new engine. Instead, dealers are instructed to inspect the engine and, if it hasn't blown up yet, switch the oil.
Wait, what?
The original spec for the L87 was 0W-20 oil—very thin stuff designed for maximum fuel efficiency. The recall update moves owners to a thicker 0W-40 dexosR oil, the same high-performance lubricant used in the C8 Corvette Z06.
The logic is that thicker oil provides a better cushion for those wonky bearings. But plaintiffs in cases like McNamara v. General Motors are livid. They argue that:
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- Thicker oil is a Band-Aid. It doesn't fix a physically deformed crankshaft or a weak connecting rod; it just hides the symptoms until the warranty potentially expires.
- Fuel economy takes a hit. Using thicker oil increases internal friction. Owners claim they’re seeing a 3-4% drop in MPG. Over 100,000 miles, that’s thousands of dollars in extra gas.
- Resale value is tanking. Good luck selling a truck when the CARFAX shows an "engine failure risk" recall that was "fixed" with a different type of oil.
The Human Cost: Real Stories from the Road
It's easy to get lost in the "legalese," but the field reports are chilling. One owner of a 2023 Escalade Sport reported two engine seizures. The first one happened at 10,697 miles. They were doing 70 mph with the cruise control set when the car just... died. No warning lights. No "Reduced Engine Power" message. Just total silence and a loss of power steering and braking assist in heavy traffic.
Another owner in Illinois, James Powell (the lead plaintiff in the consolidated suit), described finding metal shavings in his oil during a routine check. Even after GM replaced his engine under warranty, he sued. Why? Because the replacement engine is often the exact same part number with the exact same manufacturing risks. It's like replacing a broken glass with another glass that has a hairline fracture.
Where the Litigation Stands Today (2026)
As we move through 2026, the legal pressure is ramping up. In late 2025, a federal judge consolidated nearly a dozen separate lawsuits into one massive class action. This is a big deal because it allows the plaintiffs to pool their resources and forces GM to deal with one unified legal front.
GM, for its part, has denied any intentional wrongdoing. They maintain that the recall and the oil-spec change are appropriate engineering solutions. However, the discovery phase is currently unearthing internal communications. The big question the court is trying to answer is: What did GM know, and when did they know it? Evidence suggests GM was tracking these "no crank" and "knocking" conditions as far back as early 2023 through dealer bulletins, yet they didn't pull the trigger on a recall until 2025.
Actionable Steps for Owners
If you're sitting on an L87-powered vehicle and you're worried, don't just wait for the "Check Engine" light to pop on. Here is what you should actually do right now:
- Check Your VIN: Go to the NHTSA recall site or GM's owner portal. If your vehicle is part of recall N252494000, get it to the dealer. Even if you don't like the "oil fix," having the record of the service is vital for future legal claims.
- Save Every Receipt: If you've paid for an out-of-pocket engine repair, keep the invoice. If you've had to rent a car because your Tahoe was in the shop for three months waiting on a backordered engine, save those receipts too.
- Monitor Your Oil: Check your dipstick every 1,000 miles. Look for a "glittery" appearance in the oil or a smell of burnt metal. These are the early warning signs of bearing failure.
- Look Into Lemon Laws: Class actions take years. If your truck has been in the shop for more than 30 days total for engine issues, you might have a much faster path to a refund or replacement through your state’s Lemon Law.
- Stay Informed on the Class Action: You don't usually need to "sign up" for a class action to be included in the eventual settlement, but keep an eye on notices from firms like Hagens Berman, who are leading the charge.
The L87 V8 is a powerhouse, but for many, it’s become a source of anxiety rather than pride. Whether GM will be forced to replace every single one of these 800,000+ engines remains to be seen, but the 2026 court dates will be the deciding factor for the future of the American V8.