The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a new investigation into General Motors (GM) regarding engine failures in nearly 600,000 vehicles. This probe, initiated on January 16, 2026, by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), focuses on whether GM's April 2025 recall, 25V274, adequately addressed a defect in its L87 6.2L V8 engines. The recall covered 597,571 vehicles, including 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe; GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV models.
This latest action follows 36 vehicle owner questionnaires (VOQs) submitted to the ODI, alleging engine failures even after the recall remedy was implemented. The original recall addressed connecting rod and crankshaft components with manufacturing defects, leading to issues like rod bearing damage, out-of-specification crankshaft dimensions, and surface finish. These defects could cause catastrophic engine failure and a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. The remedy involved either an engine inspection and subsequent repair/replacement, or, for engines that passed inspection, an oil change to a higher viscosity oil (GM dexos R 0W-40) along with a new oil filter and filler cap.
The current investigation by the ODI is a Recall Query (RQ26001) to assess the effectiveness of these remedies. This is not the first time NHTSA has looked into these engine issues; a preliminary evaluation began in January 2025 for an estimated 887,000 GM vehicles, which escalated to an engineering analysis in October 2025. The engineering analysis, opened after 1,157 VOQs alleging engine bearing failures, remains open and is expected to conclude within 18 months. If an engine defect is determined, it could lead to another significant recall for GM.
