NHTSA Investigates GM Over 6.2L V8 Engine Failures

General Motors faces scrutiny from the NHTSA following over a thousand complaints about sudden failures of its ‘L87’ 6.2-liter V8 engines, crucial for Cadillac, Chevy, and GMC trucks. This issue adds to a series of reliability problems affecting the 5.3- and 6.2-liter small block engines in recent models, challenging the reputation of these naturally-aspirated V8s.

Impact on GM Customers and Fleet Owners

Despite many affected vehicles being under warranty, GM’s inability to supply replacement engines leaves customers stranded. Fleet owners, in particular, face significant losses as their high-mileage vehicles fall out of warranty, forcing them to cover engine replacement costs themselves.

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Desperate Measures for Replacement Parts

With the replacement parts pipeline drying up, dealers are reportedly resorting to non-GM-approved methods to secure engines. This situation has led to frustration among customers like Chey Eisenman, a livery service operator, who has been without her 2023 Escalade for weeks, incurring substantial financial losses.

GM’s Plea to Dealers Amid Engine Shortage

GM has urged dealers to adhere to ordering protocols for replacement engines, emphasizing the need for valid VINs to prevent hoarding. However, the scarcity of critical components, including bearings, exacerbates the crisis, leaving many customers in limbo.

Community and Dealer Responses to the Crisis

Online forums and GM technicians reveal the extent of the crisis, with some dealers rebuilding engines in-house against GM’s recommendations. The situation has become a ‘Hunger Games’ scenario for service departments, highlighting the dire need for a resolution to the engine shortage.