2.7L TurboMax: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 2.7L TurboMax is GM's turbocharged four-cylinder for full-size and midsize pickups. It launched in the 2019 Silverado and Sierra 1500 at 310 hp and 348 lb-ft, gained torque to 430 lb-ft for the 2022 refresh, and powers every 2023-and-later Colorado and Canyon. A revised L4B rated 350 hp arrives for 2027.

GM introduced the 2.7-liter turbo four (RPO L3B) with the redesigned 2019 Silverado and Sierra 1500. It launched at 310 hp and 348 lb-ft with an 8-speed automatic and cylinder deactivation. For the 2022 refresh GM raised torque substantially, first published as 420 lb-ft and later certified at 430 lb-ft, and from 2024 GM began marketing the engine as TurboMax.

The 2023 redesign of the Colorado and Canyon made the 2.7 the only engine in GM's midsize trucks, offered in three outputs including a lower-output base version (RPO L2R). For 2027, GM replaces the L3B with the L4B, which has a new turbocharger, revised fuel injection and new pistons. GM has issued engineering-information notices on oil leaks, and some 2023 engines were replaced because of cracked blocks.

2.7L TurboMax at a glance

GM 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (L3B TurboMax, L2R, L4B): model years, fuel and peak GM-published output by version
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B)2019–2026Gasoline31043020
2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R)2023–presentGasoline23725900
2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B)2027–Gasoline35045500

CarWhere lists 2 documented problems and 0 NHTSA recalls for the 2.7L TurboMax, each with a source.

2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B)

Turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four for Silverado and Sierra 1500 from 2019, the TurboMax name from 2024, and the upper outputs of the 2023-and-later Colorado and Canyon.

2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B) specifications

2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B): design facts (2019–2026)
SpecificationValue
ConfigurationInline-four, turbocharged, 2.7 liters[1]
Transmission (2019 Silverado)8-speed automatic, with stop-start and cylinder deactivation[5]
2022 updateTorque raised to 420 lb-ft as first announced, later SAE-certified at 430 lb-ft[3]
TurboMax nameApplied to the 2.7L starting with the 2024 Silverado[6]
Other applications2024 Cadillac CT4 is listed with the L3B in a GM engineering notice[7]

2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B) horsepower and torque by year

2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B): GM-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2019–2021Silverado / Sierra 1500348 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm310348[1]
2022Silverado / Sierra 1500 (refreshed trucks)Figure GM first published; later certified at 430 lb-ft310420[2]
2022–2026Silverado / Sierra 1500 (TurboMax from 2024)SAE-certified310430[3]
2023–2026Colorado Z71 / Trail Boss (Turbo Plus)310390[4]
2023–2026Colorado ZR2 (Turbo High-Output / TurboMax)310430[4]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which GM vehicles have the 2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B)?

GM models and model years offered with the 2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B)
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 15002019–2026
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon2023–2026Turbo Plus and TurboMax/High-Output outputs
Cadillac CT42024Per GM engineering notice

2019–2026 2.7L Turbo / TurboMax (L3B) problems and what to check

Engine oil leaks (2019–2020, 2024)

Moderate

GM issued engineering-information notices to dealers for oil leaking from the oil pan on 2019–2020 Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks with the L3B, and for an oil leak found around the center of the vehicle on 2024 trucks and SUVs with the 2.7L, referring technicians to service bulletin 23-NA-048.[8][7]

Symptoms

  • Oil spots under the middle of the truck
  • Oil residue on the oil pan or underbody
  • Falling oil level between changes

Check before buying

  • Inspect the oil pan and underbody for wetness
  • Ask whether any oil-leak repair was performed under warranty

Cracked engine blocks on some 2023 Silverados (2023)

Major repair

GM Authority reported in February 2024 that some 2023 Silverado 1500 trucks were built with 2.7L engines that had cracked blocks and that GM would replace the affected engines.[9]

Symptoms

  • Coolant or oil loss with no visible external leak
  • Overheating or warning messages

Check before buying

  • Ask the dealer to run the VIN for open campaigns and completed engine replacements
  • Check coolant and oil levels and condition

2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R)

Lower-output version of the 2.7 turbo, standard on the Colorado WT and LT and on the base Canyon trims, carrying its own RPO code (L2R).

2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R) specifications

2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R): design facts (2023–present)
SpecificationValue
RPO codeL2R[10]

2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R) horsepower and torque by year

2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R): GM-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2023–presentColorado WT / LT (Turbo)237259[4]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which GM vehicles have the 2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R)?

GM models and model years offered with the 2023–present 2.7L Turbo base output (L2R)
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Colorado WT, LT2023–present

2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B)

Second-generation 2.7 TurboMax that replaces the L3B for 2027, with a new turbocharger, revised fuel injection, updated active thermal management and redesigned pistons. Full-size trucks pair it with a 10-speed; Colorado and Canyon keep the 8-speed.

2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B) specifications

2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B): design facts (2027–)
SpecificationValue
Changes vs. L3BNew turbocharger, revised fuel injection, updated thermal management, redesigned pistons[11]
Transmission10-speed in Silverado/Sierra 1500; 8-speed in Colorado/Canyon[11]

2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B) horsepower and torque by year

2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B): GM-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2027Silverado / Sierra 1500, Colorado / Canyon350455[11]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which GM vehicles have the 2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B)?

GM models and model years offered with the 2027 2.7L TurboMax (L4B)
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 15002027
Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon2027

2.7L TurboMax issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Related GM research

Confirm a vehicle really has the 2.7L TurboMax.

Engine and transmission RPO codes are recorded against the VIN. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Chevrolet VIN into the factory-ordered option codes on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

Chevrolet build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

How much horsepower does the 2.7 TurboMax have?

The L3B TurboMax is rated 310 hp and 430 lb-ft in Silverado and Sierra 1500 pickups. The 2027 L4B version is rated 350 hp and 455 lb-ft.

Did the 2.7 turbo get more torque?

Yes. 2019–2021 trucks were rated 310 hp and 348 lb-ft; the 2022 refresh raised torque to 430 lb-ft (first published as 420).

What engines does the 2023 Colorado have?

Only the 2.7L turbo, in three outputs: 237 hp and 259 lb-ft (Turbo, RPO L2R), 310 hp and 390 lb-ft (Turbo Plus), and 310 hp and 430 lb-ft (Turbo High-Output on the ZR2).

Does the 2.7 turbo have known problems?

GM has issued dealer notices on oil leaks for 2019–2020 and 2024 engines, and some 2023 Silverado engines were replaced because of cracked blocks. We found no NHTSA safety recall aimed at the 2.7L engine itself.

Sources

Ratings are GM-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. 2019 Chevy Silverado Gains New 2.7-Liter Turbo, Active Fuel Management — Carscoops
  2. 2022 Chevy Silverado 2.7L Turbo Engine Gets Big Torque Boost — GM Authority
  3. 2022 Chevy Silverado Turbo 2.7L Engine's Torque Peak Could Be Even Higher — GM Authority
  4. Chevy Beefs Up Colorado Midsize Pickup for 2023 — WardsAuto
  5. 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: The Powertrain Story — Kelley Blue Book
  6. 2024 Chevy Silverado 2.7L Engine To Be Called TurboMax — GM Authority
  7. Engineering Information: Engine Oil Leak Found Around the Center of Vehicle (2024, 2.7L L3B/L2R) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  8. Engineering Information: Oil Leaking From Oil Pan (2019–2020 Silverado/Sierra 1500, 2.7L L3B) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  9. GM To Replace 2023 Chevy Silverado Turbo 2.7L Engines Produced With Cracked Blocks — GM Authority
  10. Base 2023 Chevy Colorado Engine Gets L2R Designation — GM Authority
  11. 2027 Colorado, Canyon get Silverado's stronger 2.7L TurboMax — Pickup Truck + SUV Talk

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