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Why did GM abandon Robbie Hendricks and his new 2023 Chevy Tahoe?
Imagine this: You're driving down the highway with your family in your brand-new 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe—a vehicle you trusted to be safe and reliable—when suddenly, at just 20,000 miles, the engine blows. You're stranded on the side of the road with your wife and kids, waiting for help.
Seven weeks later, after a new engine is installed, you feel a small sense of relief, until just eight days later, the "brand new" engine completely shuts down again with your family inside.
The dealer can't "recreate" the second terrifying failure and forces you to take the vehicle back. You are reaching out for legal help, only to be told by multiple Lemon Law attorneys that they are already too overwhelmed with cases against GM to take yours.
That's the nightmare Robbie Hendricks lived through, forcing him to abandon American manufacturing for a Lexus, all because GM refused to stand by their faulty $70,000 vehicle and prioritize his family's safety.
Robbie Hendricks on his X account @roberthendricks says,
"Final update on my Tahoe 6.2L engine failure saga. So, GM has declined to help me with my twice-failed 6.2L Tahoe."
"The engine blew on the highway the first time. I was stranded with my wife and kids—complete engine failure at 20k miles on a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe."
"I got the truck back after 7 weeks. Then, a brand-new engine shut down again eight days later, with my wife and kids in the vehicle. It just went completely black."
"The dealer could not recreate the issue the second time - the engine apparently did not completely blow up this time - so they forced us to come take the Tahoe back."
"I reached out to several Lemon Law attorneys who declined to help because they were ALREADY overwhelmed with cases against GM."
"I obviously refuse to have my wife and children drive that Tahoe again. I love the truck, but I'm not willing to risk my family while they figure it out."
"Today, I'm ditching my twice-failed Tahoe and I’m joining the Toyota family in a Lexus GX 550. It comes with a 70,000-mile powertrain warranty for 6 years. Early kinks have been worked out with this motor, and I look forward to years of drama-free adventures."
"Maybe one day GM will start building reliable cars again so I can again support American manufacturing, but for now, I'm out."
GM's Chevrolet Tahoe 6.2L V8 Engine Failure Saga is Driving Loyal Customers Away.
A vehicle that fails once is an unfortunate event. A vehicle that fails again in eight days—leaving a family stranded on the highway—is a deep-seated reliability catastrophe. Robbie's story isn't just a personal complaint; it's a symptom of a much larger and disturbing quality control issue at General Motors.
His 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe, which suffered a catastrophic GM 6.2L engine failure at just 20,000 miles, is the kind of nightmare scenario no new car buyer should ever face.
But the real failure came afterward.
After seven weeks for the first engine replacement, the brand-new replacement engine shut down again eight days later. His family is on the highway, and the Tahoe "went completely black." That is not just a mechanical defect; it's a life-safety issue.
Understanding GM's 6.2-liter V8 engine failure
As I have covered numerous owner reports and technical bulletins, there is a chilling pattern, especially with the 6.2-liter V8 engine (RPO L87) in 2021-2024 Tahoe, Yukon, and Escalade models. While GM hasn't publicly admitted to a design flaw, the sheer volume of reports pointing to lifter failures, valvetrain issues, and even connecting rod/crankshaft defects—leading to a recent recall and a shift to a thicker 0W-40 oil—paints a clear picture.
The Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) systems, designed to boost fuel economy by deactivating cylinders, are the primary issue. These complex systems stress the lifters, leading to premature wear and, ultimately, a reliability problem with the GM 6.2L V8 engine that is costing owners time, money, and faith.
The fact that the dealer could not recreate the issue the second time and forced Robbie to take the vehicle back is a classic move, often designed to run out the clock on the Tahoe's warranty. Is the dealer shifting its priority from fixing a safety-related issue to avoiding a Lemon Law action against General Motors?
Now, Lemon Law Attorneys Are Overwhelmed
Robbie has reached out to multiple Lemon Law attorneys, only to be told they were already overwhelmed with cases against GM. It speaks volumes. This isn't an isolated incident; it's a systemic failure.
When attorneys, who work on contingency, are turning down clients, it signals an unprecedented flood of similar claims. It means GM's repair network is failing to fix problems within the legally mandated "reasonable number of attempts," suggesting a deep manufacturing or design defect that can't be easily remedied at the dealership level.
This is a massive red flag for anyone considering purchasing an affected model.
Customers Are Leaving
Robbie is fed up, and he's trading in the Tahoe for something more dependable. He highlights the Lexus GX 550's powertrain warranty, which covers 70,000 miles.
His final line is the ultimate indictment: "Maybe one day GM will start building reliable cars again so I can again support American manufacturing, but for now, I'm out." This is the real cost of poor quality: the loss of a loyal customer.
What Should Owners Do?
- Don't Ignore Early Warnings: If you hear any ticking, knocking, or experience excessive oil consumption (more than one quart every 3,000 miles), get it to the dealer immediately. These are the classic early signs of lifter or valvetrain issues.
- Meticulous Documentation is Your Weapon: Treat every service visit as a legal filing. Ensure the service advisor explicitly lists your complaint on the work order—not a vague "customer states check engine light." Keep copies of all repair invoices. This is critical for any future Lemon Law claim.
- Proactive Engine Health is Non-Negotiable: If your vehicle is affected by the recent connecting rod/crankshaft recall, ensure the dealer uses the new 0W-40 oil for GM 6.2L V8 engines. This thicker oil offers better film strength and may mitigate the known bearing wear issues.
- Consider a DFM Disabler: For owners outside of a warranty dispute, one of the most effective ways to prevent lifter failure is to install an aftermarket DFM/AFM disabler. This device plugs into the OBD-II port and maintains the engine in V8 mode at all times, thereby circumventing the problematic cylinder deactivation and reducing stress on the valvetrain.
In The End
GM has attractive designs and powerful engines, but its execution and customer support during a crisis appear profoundly broken. The market has alternatives that prioritize reliability and customer service, as Robbie's move to Lexus demonstrates.
It's Your Turn
Given the known reliability issues and the reported difficulties with GM's dealer and legal response, would you still purchase a new Chevrolet Tahoe, Yukon, or Escalade equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine, or would you follow Robbie's lead and move to a brand with a reputation for superior long-term reliability? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Check out my 2023 Chevy Tahoe story: My 2023 Chevy Tahoe with 41K Miles Is a Ticking Time Bomb, It’s Been Towed to the Dealer Twice, and It Has a New Engine, But I’m Afraid To Drive It
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news, covering owner stories, and providing expert analysis, ensuring that you are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on X @DenisFlierl, @WorldsCoolestRides, Facebook, and Instagram
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Robbie Hendricks
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