General Motors Recalls Nearly 600,000 Vehicles Over Engine Defect Risk

General Motors has issued a large-scale safety recall involving approximately 597,630 vehicles across several popular models due to a potential defect in engine components that may lead to sudden engine failure. The recall affects specific 2021–2024 model year vehicles equipped with the 6.2L V8 gasoline engine.

According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the issue stems from possible manufacturing defects in the connecting rods and crankshafts of the engines. These defects may result in engine damage and eventual loss of propulsion, significantly increasing the risk of a crash. GM’s internal investigation identified root causes including rod-bearing damage caused by sediment contamination and crankshafts that do not meet dimensional specifications or surface finish standards.

The recall covers a range of vehicle models including the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, as well as the GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL. Affected vehicles were manufactured between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. The highest number of impacted units are from the GMC Sierra 1500 line, totaling over 153,000 vehicles.

Drivers may notice symptoms such as knocking or unusual engine noises, illumination of the check engine light, or erratic engine performance before complete failure occurs. GM has recorded over 28,000 related field complaints or incidents in the U.S., including 14,332 reports involving loss of propulsion. The company also identified a dozen alleged injuries and 42 fire allegations possibly linked to the defect, though most were minor and not crash-related.

Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and either repair or replace the engines as needed. Vehicles that pass inspection will receive a higher viscosity oil, a new oil cap, and an updated owner’s manual insert. Notifications to dealers began on April 24, 2025, and owner notifications are expected to commence on June 9, 2025.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from a General Motors safety recall report submitted to NHTSA

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