Vehicle experienced sudden engine malfunction including rough idle, hard misfire, and flashing check engine light. Vehicle was diagnosed with a collapsed lifter and internal engine failure. Metallic debris was found in the engine oil, including silver and gold/bronze particles consistent with bearing material. A Chevrolet dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the engine requires complete replacement due to internal mechanical failure. Vehicle is equipped with the 6.2L V8 (L87) engine. The failure occurred without warning and presents a safety concern due to potential loss of propulsion. This vehicle is not currently included in the existing GM 6.2L engine recall, despite exhibiting the same failure characteristics reported in other affected vehicles with the same engine and year that were included in the recall. Vehicle has not been driven since metal contamination was discovered to prevent further damage
2021 Chevrolet Suburban engine complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 102, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2021 Chevy Suburban with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. At 7k miles, we have lost propulsion, leaving the car undrivable. resulted in the dealer replacing all 16 lifters under a recognized bulletin. I never received extended 6yr 100k mile powertrain warranty as described in the bulletin. Since then, There have been 3 other issues with loss of propulsion, resulting in replacement of fuel pump modulator. belt pulley system, One of the incidents left us without power or control of our vehicle on the interstate, with no where to pull over or get out of the way of oncoming semi trucks. The last incident again left the vehicle undriveable at 84k miles, with the dealer currently reporting that it is a lifter and cam shaft issue. Resulting in a 10k bill. They state that it is not covered under the recall of these engines because it is the top of the engine versus the bottom. Clearly, the engine oil problem noted in the recall has contributed to these issues . and the crankshaft not syncing properly with the lifters.
Went into limp mode on 11/6/25, took to the dealership where they found metal shavings in the oil due to a “stuck solenoid ‘A’”. Originally said that I’d need a whole new transmission, decided to do the cheaper easier repair and just replaced the valve train (not my choice) got it back on 11/13/25. On 11/24/25 I was on a very busy highway, at a red light, hit the gas when the light changed and the car didn’t move. Just revved the RPMs, then it suddenly lurched/surged forwards. Took it back to the dealership and they said “it doesn’t have any codes showing”. This is not normal behavior for a 4 year old vehicle with less than 40k miles on it.
We have a defective engine that stopped working after 120 miles. We can drive the car because it can leave us on the road or catch fire, this is what the mechanic told us, GMC option is to buy another car.
I was driving and then the vehicle started running rough. There was no indication or warning lights before this happened. This is a huge safety issue because I could have had a wreck and injured people and my very own family. I took it to a Chevy dealership. They inspected the suburban and number 4 cylinder had a pool of oil in it. And they told me it need a new engine. Which it has the L87 engine that all the GM recalls are on. However, they are telling me mine isn't on the recall. They don't know if GM is going to cover it because it has 111,000 miles and it's out of the power train. It's the same engine they're having trouble with engines failures on. And I believe mine should be under the recall.
Engine is shaking like a bearing is going out, I've seen multiple recalls on this engine but for some reason my 6.2 isnt apart of them.
See attached document for complaint. To Whom It May Concern, I am writing regarding the recall on my 2021 Chevy Suburban. While I understand there is currently no active solution for the issue, I want to stress the seriousness of the situation. As a mother of [REDACTED] living in Wisconsin, I am deeply concerned that if my truck were to shut down due to engine failure and we could not get help quickly, my family would be exposed to the risks from the fire that inevitably could arrive. Given the harsh winters there, this poses an unacceptable safety risk. Additionally, I paid for an extended warranty, believing I had plenty of coverage left. I recently brought my vehicle in only to be told that I was 500 miles past the 60,000-mile limit, I was under the impression the warranty had not expired, and if I had known otherwise, I would have brought it in much sooner. This issue has been ongoing for at least 6 months, and I have been aware of the mileage restriction, I would have scheduled service well before this point. On top of that, my Suburban continues to emit the smell of burnt oil. It is embarrassing to have my vehicle smell like it's burning every time I drive it, and it raises serious concerns about my health. Breathing in burnt oil fumes regularly cannot be good for my lungs or overall well-being. This issue has also created a financial burden for me, as I am currently trying to sell the vehicle. In its present condition—with the burning oil smell and unresolved recall—it is essentially unsellable. No buyer wants to take on these risks and uncertainties, leaving me stuck with a vehicle I can neither comfortably drive nor reasonably sell. This matter is not just about inconvenience. It is about safety, that matters, and other concerns, trust and accountability. Chevrolet has marketed its vehicles as reliable, family-safe transportation, and I want to feel assured that GM takes immediate action to properly address this oil consumption and/or issue. Anything less is unacceptable when it comes to the safet
Car burns excessive amounts of oil and have to add regular quarts of oil between the mandatory oil change. Considered vehicle could malfunction and cause and accident or catch fire. Dealer said they have recalls for other chevy suvs and trucks with same issue but not my particular make and model. This issue with chevy's burning oil warrants an investigation since chevy is not addressing the issue.
Engine while driving completely seized up. Crank shaft, cam shaft and oil pump water pump replaced. Low oil pressure alarm code present then sudden loss of power. Piston blown. There are similar recalls to 2021 suburbans however, this specific model is not in the recall. I was told I need a completely new engine. The car died in the middle of traffic and police had to call an emergency tow truck.
While driving along on a city street, the check engine light came on. Once I turned onto the highway, there was a pop from the engine, and the vehicle started missing and vibrating. I turned around and drove the vehicle back home. A mechanic looked at it and said there were a lot of problems and recalls on these vehicles for misfiring. He said the problem is the lifters and they need to be replaced as soon as possible. He encouraged me not to drive it due to it may cause more damage.
Engine light comes on and now flashes. The service traction control and esc comes on. The whole vehicle shakes when idling. Certified GM dealer hooked it up and it says misfiring cylinder 6. All spark plugs replaced, new GM coil, new spark plug wires. Nothing has fixed it yet.
I was driving when I received messages saying service ESC, Forward collision System Unavailable, & Service Traction Control. The vehicle began to shake hard when I applied brakes, had loss of power when pressing the gas pedal, and sounded like metal grinding. All of this put my children & I at risk as we were on interstate 35 with cars flying past us and I’m losing power. Initially the spark plugs and coil was were changed to no repair. It was towed to a dealership where they confirmed the lifter & cam failed which put metal in the oil. My only option is a full engine replacement costing 20k on a vehicle that’s 4yrs old. It’s not ok that I have to spend that in order to get my 70k car drivable. Im now without a car, still paying a car note, unable to get my kids places, and having to get help from friends all bc GM can’t build a quality vehicle. I also haven’t been able to get a loaner car. This isn’t happening in only the 6.3L. This is a widely known issue with the 5.3L as well. *There were ZERO warning signs that something was wrong. Drive just fine that morning*
My suburban is 4 years old and needs a new engine. The dealership is seeing a lot of 21's with the same issue. Bank 1 and 2 have failed, both powerods are broken and the cans and lifters have failed. There were no prior warning. We were driving and 2 warnings popped up and we took it to a dealership. We then went to a private repair shop for second opinion. The warranty is 70k miles and my car is 72k miles. This should not be happening with a 4 year old. The other Suburban engine has been recalled but mine has no current recalls on it.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Was driving about 45 mph on 2 lane road. All of a sudden, without warning we lost power (had no propulsion). Luckily there was a residential side street that we were able to turn onto and get off of the highway with no shoulder. We coasted to the side of the street and called a tow truck. Had we not been able to get off the road, we would have been dead in the road, blocking an entire lane of a busy 2 lane highway without a shoulder to pull off on. There was no warning prior to incident but a message did appear during the incident. I believe it said "Loss of propulsion." We turned off the vehicle, then tried to restart it. Engine attempted to restart, but it made a horrible noise & wouldn't restart. Still had battery power. Vehicle was towed to a local dealership where it is currently being evaluated. We know of a massive recall on the 6.2 l engines. Ours is a 5.3 l engine. So far I'm seeing many people having problems but no official recall for the 5.3 l engines that are having THE SAME issue as the massively recalled 6.2 engines. This needs to be looked at. Our Vehicle only had less than 30k miles on it. We bought it new and have done routine maintenance.
On 7/26/2025 approximately 8:30pm (PDT), driving south on CA I-880 in third lane from right traveling at approximately 50mph when vehicle engine died and went into neutral gear. Dashboard alert indicated to press start engine button, but would not start. Managed to maneuver vehicle to right shoulder amid rush hour traffic. Fortunately, a CA Highway Patrol officer saw us and was able to render assistance. Vehicle would not restart or go into neutral after several attempts to restart engine. Special tow vehicle was called to give us a tow home. This incident happened after we received a Chevrolet recall notice back in May or June about the engine and did take the vehicle in for service on 6/10/2025. The dealership service recommended using higher weight oil and it would help mitigate any potential issue. Obviously, this was not the case. We were very fortunate to avoid any serious injury or damage on the highway due to engine failure.
Vehicle lost power, debris in cylinder from internal damage, crank case leaking air, oil leaking into cylinder, P0300, P0308, and P050D
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle was listed under the application TURO. The contact stated that a person rented the vehicle and informed him there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact test drove the vehicle, and while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the lifters, push rods, and two valves, and cylinder 6 had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The independent mechanic stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and in cylinder #1, the lifters had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with oil intrusion into the bank covers and piston damages. The vehicle was repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -My engine started to make a loud ticking and knocking noise. I brought it into Good Chevrolet in Renton WA 6/3/25 where they told me there is an “internal engine failure due to failure of the lifters.” When I asked the dealership for the repair estimate so I could possibly have a second opinion, they said they were “not comfortable giving their information and the problem in writing.” They refuse to give us any documentation but were insistent that even though the federal safety agency has issued a mass recall for this exact same issue on the larger engine in my same year of vehicle, “it’s unrelated.” How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -The engine is failing and had we not brought it in for diagnosis, I could have had full engine failure while driving with my children and been in a catastrophic crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -Yes the problem can be reproduced and has been confirmed by Good Chevrolet. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -Good Chevrolet inspected the engine but refuse to give us documentation though they had us file a claim with GM (I will attach the claim email) Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -I noticed a small noise after I had fans replaced in September but the noise gradually increased so it was brought in for diagnostics. There were no warning lamps or messages.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormally loud banging sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rods were bent, and the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact called the warranty company, who confirmed there was no repair coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,069.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking spot in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and observed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,906.
I am contacting you regarding a critical engine failure in my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban LT, which is equipped with the L84 5.3L V8 engine. Due to a valve lifter malfunction, the engine suffered catastrophic failure, with metal shavings found throughout the oil system and internal components. I’ve been quoted approximately $14,000 by the dealership/service center to replace the engine, and the vehicle is currently awaiting repair. I was driving the car with my son when the vehicle began to shake, make ticking noises, and the check engine light went on. I pulled off the road and several error codes popped up including "Service ESC" and "Service Traction Control." This is the second time that a lifter valve has failed on this vehicle. In 2022, the lifter valves on the left side were replaced under warranty. It appears one of the left side lifter valves failed again, this time causing significant cam shaft damage and damaging the engine. Given that this issue appears to be affecting many owners with similar engine configurations, I would appreciate your assistance in investigating this matter to see if these issues stem from possible manufacturing defects which could result in engine damage or failure. I reached out to General Motors to ask if I qualify for extended coverage or any known service programs to address this situation and they told me I should talk to the dealership because they are unwilling to offer assistance. I've attached receipts for repair of the lifter valve in 2022 and the current diagnosis of engine failure, cam shaft damage, and lifter valve failure. This vehicle is only four years old and was regularly serviced by General Motors. It is available for further inspection. Please let me know what other documentation or information you require. Thank you.
My 2021 Chevy Suburban Premier suffered a sudden internal engine failure due to collapsed lifters and a damaged camshaft. The vehicle began experiencing performance issues, including rough idling and loss of power. After taking it to a certified mechanic, it was confirmed that the lifters failed and caused significant damage to the camshaft, requiring a major repair that I had to pay for out of pocket. This issue is widely known among GM vehicles with the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines and has been the subject of numerous technical service bulletins and customer complaints. While my vehicle is not included in the current recall (the federal safety agency ID: 25V‑274), which covers crankshaft and rod failures on L87 6.2L engines, this lifter failure is part of the same engine family and indicative of a broader defect in GM’s V8 engine platforms from 2021–2024. I’m requesting that the federal safety agency investigate these lifter and camshaft failures as a safety and reliability concern, and urge GM to expand the existing recall to include these known engine issues. Many customers, including myself, are incurring thousands of dollars in repair costs for problems that are clearly tied to manufacturer defects.
[XXX] Vehicle had multiple engine lights on I immediately called dealership Battery and injectors replaced. [XXX] check engine lights on again Vehicle had an intake lifter break and damage the camshaft and caused cylinder misfire. Vehicle was said to be repaired. [XXX] Vehicle had total loss of forward power while driving causing me to drift to safety (Hazard)before being restarted lost the ability to be placed in reverse and limp mode took over. Vehicle was towed to Jim Shorkey Chevrolet in Bakerstown Friday April 11th 2025. (Unsafe to drive) Vehicle is in their possession with no replacement vehicle. I am waiting on a part that is not available and unknown when it will be available. Part unavailable Ten speed valve body part #24065354. Contacted service manager no calls back. Contacted Chevrolet Customer Care number [XXX] . Customer care claims the dealership does not respond to their requests. Currently without a vehicle a whole month. Service Advisor continues to promise courtesy vehicle with no follow thru. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle went from completely fine to having a loud knocking noise while I was driving 65 mph down the 4 lane highway. My vehicle lost power and slowed down. I was 50 miles from a dealership. They had to replace my entire engine and crankshaft. It cost over $12,000.00. This exact issue has been recalled by GM, but websites say my vehicle is not covered. The dealership had my vehicle for a month doing repairs.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and approaching a light, there was an abnormal ticking and knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 132,000.
The lifters in the engine are failing
While at stoplight, check engine light came on and car starting shaking and could feel it hard shifting between gears. Heard banging noise from engine when trying to drive. Took it to the dealership and problems with camshaft and rod.
Safety Defect Complaint Vehicle Equipment: - Anti-lock Brakes - Full Front Air Bag - Passive Disabling Anti-theft Device Introduction: I am the registered owner and primary driver of a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. I am filing this safety complaint regarding a serious system malfunction that occurred during an accident in 2023, resulting in injury to myself and my daughter. As a responsible vehicle owner who has maintained this vehicle according to manufacturer specifications since its purchase on July 21, 2021, I am deeply concerned about the safety implications of this incident. Safety Defect Description: In 2023, my vehicle experienced a critical system malfunction during a collision incident. While the vehicle was not in a rollover situation, the system incorrectly detected one, resulting in: 1. Complete vehicle shutdown during active accident conditions 2. All airbags deployed simultaneously 3. False rollover detection despite vehicle only experiencing vertical displacement when something from another vehicle hit the front of my vehicle Injuries and Medical Response: - Driver (self) sustained mild concussion requiring emergency transport - Daughter required emergency medical evaluation - Both occupants transported via ambulance to hospital Insurance Claim Impact: - MetLife denied accident and hospital claims - Denial basis: Absence of traffic citation - Virginia State Police report indicated no-fault accident - This denial has created significant financial hardship due to medical expenses and vehicle repairs - The vehicle's system malfunction has contributed to difficulties in proving accident circumstances Ongoing Vehicle Issues Post-Incident: - Persistent power loss issues, Multiple alignments required, Compromised driving dynamics and handling, vehicle does not track correctly despite repairs Safety Concern: The vehicle's incorrect rollover detection and subsequent complete shutdown during an active accident scenario presents a serious safety risk.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and jumping and shut down unintendedly. The check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was catastrophic engine failure and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
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