06/24/25 | Amended Complaint Filed
On June 24, 2025, Hagens Berman filed an amended complaint on behalf of consumers nationwide against GM regarding the dangerous bearing defect that can lead to total engine failure in vehicles equipped with the L87 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
According to the complaint, GM publicly acknowledged the defect in April 2025 and has since issued a recall. However, attorneys assert that the recall, carried out under three separate technical service bulletins (TSBs), has created widespread confusion. Owners are unsure which TSB applies to their vehicle, whether their engine needs replacement, and whether GM’s so-called fix — switching to a higher viscosity oil — will actually prevent total engine failure if the engine is not replaced.
Class members have started to receive mailed notices of the recall from GM, but upon contacting their dealerships about repairs or next steps, they’ve been informed that the parts are not available.
Own or lease a GM-branded vehicle with an L87 6.2L V8 engine? Your vehicle’s engine may contain a dangerous defect that can cause sudden and catastrophic engine failure, putting you and others at risk of crash, injury and costly repairs. Fill out the form to find out your rights »
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
Hagens Berman filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of GM owners nationwide regarding a dangerous bearing defect that can lead to total engine failure in vehicles equipped with the L87 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
Owners who have experienced the defect report no warning signs before sudden and total engine failure, and the defect has manifested in vehicles with as little as 1,200 miles on them.
In addition to rendering affected vehicles unsafe to drive, the defect — even after the proposed recall remedy — significantly reduces vehicle value. If GM had disclosed the truth about the defect, consumers would not have purchased these vehicles or would have paid substantially less.
AFFECTED GM MODELS
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 877,000 vehicles equipped with L87 6.2L V8 engines may be affected, including:
- 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2019-2024 GMC Sierra 1500
- 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade
- 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2021-2024 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2021-2024 GMC Yukon
- 2021-2024 GMC Yukon XL
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY GM VEHICLE IS AFFECTED?
If your vehicle appears in the list above, it may be affected and should be diagnosed by a dealer. Some owners of affected vehicles have reported bearing failures requiring full engine replacement but predicting the defect may not be possible.
Instances of engine failure have occurred without any prior warning signs. Even more concerning, reports show that engine failures often occur at highway speeds, increasing the risk of crash or serious injury.
GM'S L87 BEARING DEFECT EXPLAINED
Engine bearings support critical moving parts of the engine by reducing friction and absorbing the engine’s operating loads. These bearings allow rotating components of the crankshaft, camshaft and connecting rods to spin with minimal friction. The bearings must be able to withstand the extreme heat and pressures that build up during operation.
According to the complaint, the engine bearings in affected vehicles are “prone to, and have experienced failure, resulting in breaching of the engine block by the connecting rod and/or engine seizure.”
Owners report that there are no warning signs prior to engine failure, making continued use of the affected vehicles unsafe. Failures have occurred while the vehicle was being driven at highway speeds, increasing the risk of a dangerous crash and injury.
WHAT AFFECTED GM OWNERS ARE SAYING
Owners of affected General Motors vehicles have detailed their firsthand experience with the defect and recall via NHTSA reports and online forums:
- “I was driving 65mph down the freeway when the truck suddenly turned off and the dash told me to put in neutral and start again… Made it about another mile and the truck completely turned off and wouldn’t turn back on there was nowhere to pull over or get off the freeway…I was stopped in the middle of the highway with my family in the truck.”
- ”In my case and many others, the engine abruptly stops causing major safety problems. I was stranded on the side of interstate 5 in the rain with very little space between the guardrail and slow lane of the freeway where large trucks were mandated to drive.”
- ”We were driving on the interstate…when our car went into neutral while we were in the left hand lane next to a 18 wheeler. My husband was driving and we have our four children and dog in the car. We lost acceleration. …There was no warning light or any warning that our engine was about to shut down.”
- ”…I’m thinking it's going to be a wait until our engines blow then they will replace our engines. … Just left my dealer 10 mins ago on 2:25 pm 5/5/2025. They said that GM hasn't put the word out yet officially because they have to figure out how to deal with it.”
- ”While passing on a two-lane road at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled and acted as if the engine wasn’t running.”
HOW CAN A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT HELP?
Through a class-action lawsuit, individual consumers can collectively bring claims against large corporations who would otherwise have the upper hand, like General Motors, and force them to acknowledge issues like the L87 6.2L V8 engine defect. A class-action lawsuit seeks to level the playing field, bringing strength to collective action to change corrupt practices and negligent responses to customers. Though these measures do not bring immediate relief, they are a time-tested method of holding companies accountable.
TOP AUTO LITIGATION FIRM
Hagens Berman is one of the most successful auto litigation law firms in the U.S., having secured settlement benefits valued at more than $320 billion for class members, including multiple settlements for GM vehicle owners. Our firm is presently leading nationwide class-action lawsuits against major automakers for safety defects and negligence. Your potential claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in automotive consumer law.
NO COST TO YOU
In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum. In the event Hagens Berman or another firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the legal team for the class.
