GM L87 Engine Lawsuit: Do You Have a Claim?

A new class action lawsuit has been filed against General Motors (GM) concerning defects in the 6.2L V8 L87 engine.

The GM L87 Engine Lawsuit, initiated in April 2025, alleges that the engine is prone to sudden and catastrophic failure due to defective bearings.

The lawsuit was filed by Illinois resident James S. Powell II, who purchased a new 2023 GMC Yukon Denali in October 2022.

In October 2024, after his check engine light illuminated, Powell brought his vehicle to a dealership. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the engine contained metal shavings in the oil and had sustained damage to the engine block due to the defective connecting rod bearing.

Powell filed the class action lawsuit for over $5 million, claiming that the replacement engine suffers from the same defects as the original.

The lawsuit further alleges that GM has been aware of these defects since at least 2021 but failed to adequately warn consumers or offer effective solutions to resolve the issue.

This legal action was filed shortly after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched its own investigation into the L87 engine problems.

What Caused the GM L87 Engine Class Action Lawsuit?

The GM L87 engine class action lawsuit stems from defective bearings in the 6.2L V8 L87 engines. These faulty bearings can result in sudden and catastrophic engine failures, often without any prior warning.

According to the lawsuit, the failures are attributed to issues with the installation of the wrist pin and circlip (retainage clip), or the complete absence of the circlip.

This defect can lead to wrist-pin displacement, which in turn causes connecting rod failure. The failure of these components can puncture the engine block, potentially resulting in significant engine damage.

Nearly one million vehicles have been affected by this defect, including popular models such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Cadillac Escalade, spanning production years from 2019 to 2024.

Which Vehicles Are Equipped with the GM L87 Engine?

The GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine powers a range of vehicles across the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac brands. The following models, produced between the 2019 and 2024 model years, are equipped with this engine:

• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2019–2024)
• Chevrolet Tahoe (2021–2024)
• Chevrolet Suburban (2021–2024)
• GMC Sierra 1500 (2019–2024)
• GMC Yukon (2021–2024)
• GMC Yukon XL (2021–2024)
• Cadillac Escalade (2021–2024)
• Cadillac Escalade ESV (2021–2024)

These vehicles have been marketed for their ruggedness and reliability, but engine issues have significantly impacted their overall value and performance.

Is There a GM L87 Engine Recall?

As of now, there is no official recall for the GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into the engine failures.

This investigation is focused on the bearing failures and collapsed lifters that have caused sudden and catastrophic engine breakdowns.

GM is currently facing challenges in meeting the demand for replacement engines, leading to extended repair backlogs. While not a formal recall, GM has initiated a program to replace affected engines to address these issues.

The NHTSA’s investigation is specifically targeting models from the 2019-2024 production years, including the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade, all of which are equipped with the L87 V8 engine. In total, approximately 877,710 vehicles are involved in the investigation.

GM vehicle owners have reported bearing failures that lead to engine seizures or breaches of the engine block caused by a connecting rod.

These failures can cause a sudden loss of engine power, increasing the risk of accidents. However, there have been no reports of crashes or fires linked to these failures.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received numerous complaints and Early Warning Reporting (EWR) Field Reports about engine failures in vehicles with the L87 V8 engine.

These complaints report sudden bearing failures leading to engine seizure or breaches caused by the connecting rod, with no detectable warning before the failures occur.

As part of the ongoing investigation, NHTSA says it will assess the full scope and severity of these issues to determine the necessary next steps for public safety.

Last year, GM settled a $35 million class action lawsuit concerning defective fuel pumps in GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado trucks.

The lawsuit claimed that these trucks were equipped with faulty fuel injection pumps that generated metal shavings, which contaminated the fuel system and caused engine failures.

Should I Join the Lawsuit?

Deciding whether to join the GM L87 engine class action lawsuit involves considering several factors specific to your situation, as well as weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks.

If you own a vehicle equipped with the GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine from the 2019-2024 model years, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit.

If you’ve experienced engine failures or related issues, participating in the lawsuit could help you recover costs for repairs, engine replacements, or the diminished value of your vehicle.

Class action lawsuits can also be more impactful than individual claims because they consolidate many similar complaints, increasing the pressure on the defendant to settle or address the issue.

However, it’s important to consider a few things before joining. If your vehicle’s problems are not exclusive to the L87 engine and are also affecting other models or years, the lawsuit may not fully address your specific concerns.

Additionally, class action lawsuits can take years to resolve, and the outcome is not guaranteed. It’s important to weigh the potential benefits against the time and effort required.

In some cases, manufacturers offer extended warranties, recalls, or other remedies outside of a lawsuit. It may be worth checking if GM has any such programs that could resolve your issue more quickly.

Joining the lawsuit can be a solid option if your vehicle is affected and you seek compensation for the issues you’ve experienced.

However, it’s crucial to consider all the factors involved and possibly consult with legal professionals to determine the best course of action for your circumstances.

Should I File a Lemon Law Claim?

If you’re facing recurring issues with the GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine, you may want to consider filing a lemon law claim.

This option is worth exploring if your vehicle meets certain criteria and you’ve encountered persistent defects that haven’t been resolved by the manufacturer.

To be eligible for a lemon law claim, your vehicle generally needs to meet specific conditions:

• Vehicle Age: If your vehicle is from 2020 or newer and the issues occurred within the warranty period, you may qualify.
• Defects: The issue must substantially affect the vehicle’s use, safety, or value.
• Repair Attempts: The manufacturer must have made multiple attempts to fix the defect. This could mean:
• Four or more attempts to fix the same issue.
• Two or more attempts to fix a serious safety defect.
• The vehicle being out of service for more than 30 days in total.

Filing a lemon law claim can offer several potential benefits. If successful, you may be entitled to compensation, such as a refund or a replacement vehicle.

In some cases, you might also receive compensation for the diminished value of your vehicle. Lemon laws are designed to protect consumers from having to bear the financial burden of defective products, which makes this a viable option for those with qualifying vehicles.

However, before filing a claim, consider a few important factors. First, make sure you have thorough documentation.

Keeping detailed records of every repair attempt, service invoice, and communication with the manufacturer or dealership is crucial for your claim’s success.

Consulting with a lemon law attorney is also recommended, as they can guide you through the process and ensure your claim is properly filed.

If you feel your GM L87 engine is defective and have struggled with repair attempts that haven’t resolved the issues, filing a lemon law claim can be a good way to recover your costs and ensure you’re driving a reliable vehicle.

Take the time to evaluate your situation, and if you’re unsure about the process, a lemon law attorney can provide the advice you need to make an informed decision.

If your GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine is impacted by defects related to bearing failures or catastrophic engine issues, you may be entitled to compensation for related problems, such as damages, repair costs, or the diminished value of your vehicle.

Taking legal action could help ensure you are properly compensated for these significant issues. Below is an approximate range of potential settlements for GM L87 engine-related claims:

Affected Vehicle	Average Lemon Law Settlement
2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500	$50,237
2021–2024 Chevrolet Tahoe	$100,452
2021–2024 Chevrolet Suburban	$121,116
2019–2024 GMC Sierra 1500	$87,113
2021–2024 GMC Yukon	$119,996
2021–2024 GMC Yukon XL	$121,001
2021–2024 Cadillac Escalade	$185,122
2021–2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV	$189,149

*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.

Get a Free Consultation with the Lemon Law Experts

The GM 6.2L V8 L87 engine has been at the center of significant issues, including sudden and catastrophic engine failures caused by defective bearings.

If you’re experiencing repeated problems with your vehicle’s engine and GM has failed to provide a lasting solution despite multiple repair attempts, you might have a valid claim under lemon law protections.

The Lemon Law Experts have assisted thousands of consumers in recovering compensation for defective vehicles since 2009.

If your GM vehicle equipped with the L87 engine has suffered from these defects, you could be entitled to a refund, replacement, or compensation for the diminished value of your car.

Don’t wait until the issue escalates further—contact us today for a free consultation. Our team will assess your case and help you understand your legal options.

If you qualify, we’ll guide you through every step of the lemon law process to ensure you receive the relief you’re entitled to.