Is the 6.2L L87 in a 2026 Sierra 1500 ok?

[goin2drt]

No flaming as I am complete newbie but was literally about to pull the trigger on a 26 Sierra with 6.2 when a friend sent me a YT video from some guy Donslife that had all kinds of issues about the 6.2 and potential motor failure.

 

Very familiar with forums and how issues usually get more attention than the good but is this truly a concern?  Really want the 6.2L with MAX TOW and was going between the Diesel and that one but really don't want to mess with DEF.  

[newdude]

1 hour ago, goin2drt said:

No flaming as I am complete newbie but was literally about to pull the trigger on a 26 Sierra with 6.2 when a friend sent me a YT video from some guy Donslife that had all kinds of issues about the 6.2 and potential motor failure.

 

Very familiar with forums and how issues usually get more attention than the good but is this truly a concern?  Really want the 6.2L with MAX TOW and was going between the Diesel and that one but really don't want to mess with DEF.  

 

 

Well, there are 2025s that were built in late 2024 that are popping.  Not sure how many built in 2025 for 2025 MY or 2026s built in 2025 are having issues, if they are.  I'm thinking less than 2024 and 2025 model years which would hopefully indicate they fixed the issues during machining of crankshafts and connecting rods.  

 

There have also been trucks that got a new engine under the recall 2021-2024 that have already had replacement engines go bad.  

Edited May 7 by newdude

[KARNUT]

2 hours ago, goin2drt said:

No flaming as I am complete newbie but was literally about to pull the trigger on a 26 Sierra with 6.2 when a friend sent me a YT video from some guy Donslife that had all kinds of issues about the 6.2 and potential motor failure.

 

Very familiar with forums and how issues usually get more attention than the good but is this truly a concern?  Really want the 6.2L with MAX TOW and was going between the Diesel and that one but really don't want to mess with DEF.  

Being It’s a known issue I would work on them providing extended warranty and a loner truck if there’s a problem. Or you could go with Ram and there 10 year 100K warranty. 

[TrueBlue]

Donslife has always seemed to me to be a down to earth guy. I don't see him posting videos that are biased unless he has personally experienced an issue. And he's owned the trucks he reports on.

 

GM has some work to do in the transmission and engine aspects for these late model trucks. Not sure why they're dragging their feet but some of these issues have been around for awhile now, and yet they keep popping up, at times even in current model trucks. 

[2020truck]

14 hours ago, TrueBlue said:

Donslife has always seemed to me to be a down to earth guy. I don't see him posting videos that are biased unless he has personally experienced an issue. And he's owned the trucks he reports on.

 

GM has some work to do in the transmission and engine aspects for these late model trucks. Not sure why they're dragging their feet but some of these issues have been around for awhile now, and yet they keep popping up, at times even in current model trucks. 

The older 10l80 transmission had poorly designed valve bodies and a helix cut idler gear connecting input shaft to the trans pump.   

The helix cut gear walking off its bearing has been discontinued.  They now use a straight cut gear.  

 

The valve body has been redesigned and is now on the third generation.  It's a completely different design.  Jury is out if the new VB will fix the issues.  

 

Regarding the 6.2, it's a real shame what gm has done. If you can get an extended warranty at a low cost, maybe.  I have a 2020 6.2, 113k. No engine issues so far.  I just went with mobile1 EP 5w 30 dexos approved, even though I had no issues w/ 0w 20, I wanted more cushion.   

 

I bought the extended warranty at 93k when I purchased the truck used.  Due to mainly trans issues (previously discussed) I've used $17k of the Max $26k allowed. 

 

Edited May 8 by 2020truck

[BIGDOGx]

On 5/7/2026 at 4:09 PM, newdude said:

 

 

Well, there are 2025s that were built in late 2024 that are popping.  Not sure how many built in 2025 for 2025 MY or 2026s built in 2025 are having issues, if they are.  I'm thinking less than 2024 and 2025 model years which would hopefully indicate they fixed the issues during machining of crankshafts and connecting rods.  

 

There have also been trucks that got a new engine under the recall 2021-2024 that have already had replacement engines go bad.  

Already videos on Youtube of 2026 model Escalades blowing engines. This problem wont end until they bring the lower end part making back from Mexico and their slave labor paying businesses! I mean real F'ing shocker that people who make about 3-5 dollars and hour, turn out crankshafts that look exactly like a guy who is paid 3-5 dollars an hour made it! 

[newdude]

14 minutes ago, BIGDOGx said:

Already videos on Youtube of 2026 model Escalades blowing engines. This problem wont end until they bring the lower end part making back from Mexico and their slave labor paying businesses! I mean real F'ing shocker that people who make about 3-5 dollars and hour, turn out crankshafts that look exactly like a guy who is paid 3-5 dollars an hour made it! 

 

 

No point in mass moving production of those when the gen V is on its way out for the gen VI engines.  All they need to do at that point is get the QC under control.  Production rates of L84 and L87 will fall off rather quickly here in a few months because of the new trucks coming.  

Edited May 28 by newdude

[goin2drt]

Well time will tell because I pulled the trigger on a 2026.  I won't have it past the warranty so other than the inconvenience I am not that concerned at this point.