The NHTSA’s investigation into failing GM 6.2L V8 engines has been upgraded to an “engineering analysis” — a step toward compelling a full-scale recall.
For years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been looking into widespread reports of engine failures, specifically with General Motors’ L87 6.2-liter V8 available on full-size SUVs and trucks. The last action GM took on the matter was in April 2025, when the automaker recalled nearly 600,000 vehicles to address those engine failures. Now, though, the NHTSA is opening an Engineering Analysis (EA) — a higher-level probe than the initial recall query — into whether efforts to address the problem were actually effective.
Specifically, the investigation focuses on 2021-2026 models equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 gas engine: the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, as well as the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade. The agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) said it received 499 customer complaints alleging a post-remedy engine failure. The 2025 recall (NHTSA recall 25V-274) aimed to try and fix the problem of engine failures by using a thicker viscosity oil or, in some cases, replacing engines entirely. GM, for its part, reported nearly 7,000 similar complaints of failures after that recall went into effect.
Prior to this most recent probe, General Motors opened three investigations between 2022 and 2024. Ultimately, it only issued a targeted recall for 2021-2024 models after the NHTSA opened the recall query, which has now been upgraded to that engineering analysis mentioned earlier.
While the closing resume upgrading the ODI’s investigation from a query to an engineering analysis only cites one crash and injury, GM identified 12 crashes and 12 minor injuries when it called the voluntary recall in 2025. 42 fire allegations were also alleged to be linked to the problem at the time.
In addition to greater scrutiny from the NHTSA, General Motors also faces ongoing litigation over widespread allegations of sudden engine failures. On Friday, the automaker said it continues to cooperate in the investigation, though whether this latest revelation from the ODI report could impact the outcome of the class-action complaint is unclear.
As the situation stands right now, an Engineering Analysis by the NHTSA does not automatically trigger a further manufacturer recall. The outcome of this technical investigation phase could, however, lead the agency to formally request another recall if it concludes a safety defect exists. Given the scale of complaints that even GM itself acknowledges, it seems a formal recall demand is the likely outcome, though EAs can close without action, or GM could decide of its own volition to begin another voluntary recall.
