General Motors reached out to us to deny the existence of any L87-specific discount program, including employee pricing for current owners of the problematic V8. Our story has been updated to reflect that. In a statement, GM told CarBuzz:
GM regularly assesses incentives and customer programs across its business. At this time, there is no L87-related offer in place. We remain committed to supporting our customers and continue to review individual circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
General Motors’ problematic 6.2-liter V8 has been the subject of recalls and governmental investigations, but the automaker may have a solution to make things right. The vehicle pricing experts at CarsDirect reported that GM will offer an employee discount to current L87 V8 owners, but the company refuted that claim, instead saying that it would review individual circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
So if you’d like to trade your 6.2-liter, V8-powered SUV for a 2027 Buick Enclave or something else, you might find some luck if you talk to the right person at your local dealer.
No Public Employee Pricing Right Now
2024 GMC Yukon SLTGMC
Despite CarsDirect citing specific ordering codes, the automotive giant underscored its assertion that there isn’t any specific discount being offered exclusively to the owners of L87-powered vehicles. GM periodically opens up employee pricing sales to the public for certain vehicles. In July, participating GMC dealers gave Sierra 1500 shoppers access to the discount, and earlier this year, Corvette customers had the same advantage. However, the company hasn’t done anything like that for L87 owners, especially not on GM’s entire 2026 and selected 2027 lineup (as reported by CarsDirect).
If it ever were to do so, employee pricing represents a pretty sizable discount, typically equal to the car’s invoice price. For example, a GMC Yukon Elevation 4×4 has an invoice price of $68,963 and an MSRP of $72,900, so employee pricing would yield a savings of around $3,900. That number is variable, however. In the case of the entry-level GMC Terrain Elevation with front-wheel drive, the $29,002 invoice price is $1,398 lower than the $30,400 sticker – still a tidy sum but not four grand. At the other end of the spectrum, a flagship Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum Sport’s invoice price of $120,080 is $6,320 lower than its MSRP.
What’s Going On With The L87 V8?
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The 6.2-liter V8 currently offered in GM’s full-size trucks and SUVS – Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe, and Suburban; GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV – has become a bugbear for the automaker’s quality controls. In April 2025, more than 600,000 vehicles from model years 2019 to 2024 were recalled after GM discovered problematic casting at one of its engine suppliers, which it corrected with a new production procedure.
The initial solution was simple for some and drastic for others. For trucks and SUVs not exhibiting signs of wear to the crankshaft and connecting rods, they would receive higher-viscosity oil to improve lubrication. But if engine inspection revealed problems with the V8’s rotating assembly, then the dealer would perform a full engine replacement.
Unfortunately, those fixes don’t seem to have stopped the problems from occurring. Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened up an investigation into the recall after receiving complaints from GM customers who still experienced engine failure after having their cars looked at and repaired – even those that received total engine replacements. Furthermore, some vehicles built outside the recall window have had issues, suggesting that the revised engine parts aren’t much better than the originals.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Given the small-block V8’s typical reputation for reliability, the unusual fallout from the 6.2-liter engine failure is spreading further. The automaker needs to take some action to ensure its most loyal customers don’t get frustrated and turn to the Ram 1500 or Nissan Armada, and employee pricing would be a good start – if that indeed is on the menu.
Base Trim Engine
5.3L EcoTec3 V8 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
10-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
355 HP @5600 RPM
Base Trim Torque
383 lb.-ft. @ 4100 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
15/20/17 MPG
Infotainment & Features
9 /10
Still, we doubt too many customers are interested in returning for yet another L87. Luckily, the small-block 5.3-liter V8 found in Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs is still pretty robust, though Escalade owners are left out in the cold on that one – it only comes with the six-two.
Source: CarsDirect
