About to pull the trigger on a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71. Test drove both the 5.3L and the 6.2L and liked the 6.2L significantly more. Got home and started reading the horror stories about specifically the 6.2L failing catostopically at low mileage.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/01/nhtsa-opens-investigation-regarding-gm-6-2l-v8-engine-failures/amp/

A couple of questions for you guys in the know:

1. How common do we think these failures really are? Are we talking 1 in 100? More? Less? If you open Reddit you'll see large numbers of complaints. No one typically posts positive updates on vehicles they're satisfied with though so maybe this isn't a good sample set? The 6.2L is in nearly all Denalis, AT4s, and Escalades, right? Same exact engine?

2. The NHTSA article linked above states they're investigating model years 2019-2024. Have they worked this QC problem out in the 2025s? Or do we expect those failures to continue?

3. Is the 5.3L significantly more reliable? Or are those engines having trouble as well?

Thanks for your help!

I know it's an issue but me and my immediate family have not had any issues. That's 2 1500 trucks, 2 Escalades, and 2 Yukons off the top of my head. That's since 2015-ish. I'm not in one now but wouldn't have any hesitation buying another one if that's what I wanted.

It only affects 2019-2024 6.2L engines.

Corps_Ag12 said:

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It only affects 2019-2024 6.2L engines.

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Oops didn't realize that. I'd say 3 out of those 6 were/are in that range.

ETA - forgot about another AT4X in that group. So 4 out of 7 that fit that year range that we've been lucky on.

Boat Shoes said:

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About to pull the trigger on a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71. Test drove both the 5.3L and the 6.2L and liked the 6.2L significantly more. Got home and started reading the horror stories about specifically the 6.2L failing catostopically at low mileage.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2025/01/nhtsa-opens-investigation-regarding-gm-6-2l-v8-engine-failures/amp/

A couple of questions for you guys in the know:

1. How common do we think these failures really are? Are we talking 1 in 100? More? Less? If you open Reddit you'll see large numbers of complaints. No one typically posts positive updates on vehicles they're satisfied with though so maybe this isn't a good sample set? The 6.2L is in nearly all Denalis, AT4s, and Escalades, right? Same exact engine?

2. The NHTSA article linked above states they're investigating model years 2019-2024. Have they worked this QC problem out in the 2025s? Or do we expect those failures to continue?

3. Is the 5.3L significantly more reliable? Or are those engines having trouble as well?

Thanks for your help!

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5.3 will still have same potential for lifter failure.

However the other engine issues have not shown up on 5.3 .

I like the feel and performance of the 6.2.
Just get a 100k or 120k warranty. If you end up keeping it past that it's a $7-9k job that you probably will only have to do once out of warranty if at all.

I've been a 7 year and 120-140k mile guy throughout my life. At this stage or my life Ill likely be a keep it under 5 years and 100k mile guy though.

We hedged and got the 100K mile warranty on our Denali. The diesel won't be available to order until April and diesels come with their own set of problems. The 6.2 is just too smooth to pass up vs the 5.3

FIDO*98* said:

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We hedged and got the 100K mile warranty on our Denali. The diesel won't be available to order until April and diesels come with their own set of problems. The 6.2 is just too smooth to pass up vs the 5.3

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What year and do you recall what they asked for the warranty? Silver or platinum?

Thanks!

Ours is a 24 that we bought last month. We ended up getting the top level warranty that takes care of the vehicle, paint, wheels, tires etc so it was more expensive than the basic engine warranty. IIRC it was about 6 grand. They were clearing out the 24s so we still ended up under MSRP.

My brothers blew on him. About 2 months ago. 2024. Ended up just working it out with the dealer to move into a 2500 diesel.

Go read the Facebook groups. Some guys have had multiple failures. I dumped mine.

My cousin's suburban 6.2 was pretty new about 3 years ago when they had engine problems returning from Colorado- in Amarillo on the way to Houston. Had to leave it there and fly home. After it was eventually fixed, it's been problem free and about 100k miles today.

Bought a '23 Trail Boss 5.3 a month ago. I too have read up on lifter failure issues. My truck has 28K miles on the clock. Seems like the majority of issues have happened at or below 15K miles so there's that FWIW.

I did add a Range Technologies AFM/DFM disabler ($200) to the ECM to force the engine to run all 8 cylinders full time. It also disables the pesky auto stop function.

Granted, the potentially weak lifters are still in the engine but the constant start/stop multi cylinder cycles that can cause failures is no longer functional.

You can do the same thing by shifting to manual and tabbing up to the L9 gear. This disables AFM and the L10 gear is an overdrive gear, so no change to your daily driving really.

agchino said:

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You can do the same thing by shifting to manual and tabbing up to the L9 gear. This disables AFM and the L10 gear is an overdrive gear, so no change to your daily driving really.

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True but I was annoyed adding the habit of shifting to that and switching off "auto start/stop" every time I hopped into the truck.

The Brazos Kid said:

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Bought a '23 Trail Boss 5.3 a month ago. I too have read up on lifter failure issues. My truck has 28K miles on the clock. Seems like the majority of issues have happened at or below 15K miles so there's that FWIW.

I did add a Range Technologies AFM/DFM disabler ($200) to the ECM to force the engine to run all 8 cylinders full time. It also disables the pesky auto stop function.

Granted, the potentially weak lifters are still in the engine but the constant start/stop multi cylinder cycles that can cause failures is no longer functional.

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Does this void your warranty?

Boat Shoes said:

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The Brazos Kid said:

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Bought a '23 Trail Boss 5.3 a month ago. I too have read up on lifter failure issues. My truck has 28K miles on the clock. Seems like the majority of issues have happened at or below 15K miles so there's that FWIW.

I did add a Range Technologies AFM/DFM disabler ($200) to the ECM to force the engine to run all 8 cylinders full time. It also disables the pesky auto stop function.

Granted, the potentially weak lifters are still in the engine but the constant start/stop multi cylinder cycles that can cause failures is no longer functional.

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Does this void your warranty?

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Bought the truck used. The factory warranty goes to 36K. The device is removable so it would be advisable to remove it a day before taking in for service. It's apparently "untraceable".

Corps_Ag12 said:

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It only affects 2019-2024 6.2L engines.

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Is there a fix that was implemented for 2025?

My brother has a '20 High Country with a 6.2L. His has been flawless. He has towed his 37' travel trailer to Colorado and the coast several times. It has in excess of 120k miles on it. His only complaint is having to run premium gas in it. Fortunately, his employer pays for most of his gas.

tamuags08 said:

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Corps_Ag12 said:

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It only affects 2019-2024 6.2L engines.

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Is there a fix that was implemented for 2025?

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I think it's an upgraded engine design from the L87.

So can I expect better reliability from the 5.3L? Or is it a crapshoot too?

No. It is prone to lifter failure as Gig-Em2003 mentioned.

Diesel or GTFO on GM, unfortunately. The 4-cylinder might be ok?

aggie_wes said:

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Diesel or GTFO on GM, unfortunately. The 4-cylinder might be ok?

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I like the 2.7 4cyl. There is a whole thread talking about it. If you don't tow frequently it's a decent engine for half tons.

Great. I guess I should check my wife's 2021 Suburban now.

Edit.. just looked and hers is 5.3L. Whew

The Brazos Kid said:

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Bought a '23 Trail Boss 5.3 a month ago. I too have read up on lifter failure issues. My truck has 28K miles on the clock. Seems like the majority of issues have happened at or below 15K miles so there's that FWIW.

I did add a Range Technologies AFM/DFM disabler ($200) to the ECM to force the engine to run all 8 cylinders full time. It also disables the pesky auto stop function.

Granted, the potentially weak lifters are still in the engine but the constant start/stop multi cylinder cycles that can cause failures is no longer functional.

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Thanks for the tip. Just ordered one. Unfortunately they are backordered and not shipping until March

I'm at 105k miles on my 2019 and have done nothing but change the oil and air filter. Also run 87 fuel and have had no issues.

I have a '24 Yukon AT4 with the 6.2L. Currently have 21K miles with no issues. Love it so far, fingers crossed. Will be buying an extended warranty.

Buy extended warranty from Knapp just before you get to 24k. Thats the best time to buy.

1939 said:

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I'm at 105k miles on my 2019 and have done nothing but change the oil and air filter. Also run 87 fuel and have had no issues.

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Same on all fronts. Just under 100k