Class Action Lawsuit Claims GM 5.3L V8 Engines Burn Oil
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A recent class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Ohio claims General Motors‘ 5.3-liter LC9 V8 engine burns high amounts of oil and has other design flaws that could lead to engine damage.
The suit alleges the 5.3L V8 engines found in a number of 2010-2014 model year GM vehicles have flawed piston rings that don’t maintain tension well enough to keep oil in the crankcase. Additionally, the PCV system may vacuum engine oil out from the valvetrain and expel it into the intake, where the oil is then taken in and burned in the combustion chambers.
The active fuel management compounds the oil burn problem, as well. The system uses an oil pressure relief valve that sprays oil directly onto the piston skirts, but this oil spray can allegedly overload the piston rings, leaking past the rings and burning off, or accumulating on the surface of the combustion chamber and causing carbon buildup. Furthermore, the plaintiff says the oil monitoring system will not inform the driver about the low oil levels, so some owners may not be aware when the engine runs low on oil.
These issues can lead to spark plug fouling, ring wear, lifted collapse, bent pushrods, camshaft wear, valve wear, rod bearing wear, rod breakage and other major failures in the engine, the class action suit claims.
According to Car Complaints, GM told dealerships to carbonize the rings and combustion chambers of affected vehicles, but it did not remedy the problem. GM also apparently knew about potential problems with the engine as far back as 2007, based on consumer complaints and Technical Service Bulletins it issued. The TSBs indicate the problems are caused by PCV issues, piston rings and the active fuel management system.
GM redesigned its 5.3-liter V8 engine after the 2014 model year, using redesigned piston rings and adding a shield to deflect oil away from the piston skirts. The newer versions of the engine also feature an oil level sensor and new valve covers. Vehicles involved in this class action were all built between 2010 and 2014. They include:
- 2010-2013 GMC Canyon
- 2010-2013 GMC Savana
- 2010-2013 GMC Sierra
- 2010-2014 GMC Yukon
- 2010-2014 GMC Yukon XL
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche
- 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2010-2013 Chevrolet Express
- 2010-2013 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
The plaintiff in the lawsuit is looking to represent current and former owners or lessees of affected vehicles in the United States that have experienced similar problems. The case is Szep v. General Motors LLC (Case No. 1:19-cv-02858) and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
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Source: Car Complaints
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How do I enter into this lawsuit it is not only that year model I have 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and it has all of the same issues the oil
Just disappears I have had to replace my engine and still the same. I live in Georgia but the money I have spent on oil and engines and trying to get it fixed I could have bought a new car by now. Also anyone I know driving a 2008 and up flex fuel has this problem
I to have been experiencing alot of these problems with my 2012 Chevy Silverado 5.3L. just in the last month, I’ve dealt with, well first a collapsed lifter on cylinder 1, which then started a misfire on cyl 1. Since i had just done all the lifters w/trays and gaskets and vlom and spark plugs not even a year ago. So i was able to warranty out the parts. Fixed lifter, and replaced the fouled up oily sparkplug from cyl 1, with no luck. Still had misfire. I replaced so many parts and sensors and today, as i stayed tearing it down to now do the cam, i see oil down in the combustion chamber. I am at my witts end. It is possible to get involved with this lawsuit?
I have a dead cylinder in my 2013 GMC Yukon XL As I f the is contact.
I’m trying to understand why the 4.8 is not an issue. The only difference in the motor is the crank, giving it more stroke, which increases the displacement. Even the piston rings are the same part number. I see many abused fleet savana’s with over 300,000km still running strong. What am I missing here?! I think its the 4 cylinder mode/fuel saving mode. Without fuel spraying into the cylinder you really aren’t lubricating the rings.. causing excessive heat and wear. Thats my guess.
The 4.8 didn’t get AFM so it won’t suffer the occasional cylinder/lifter issues.I had one in a 2010 Silverado and it was awesome.
How do we join this lawsuit because I have a 2011 chevy Avalanche and have had to replace the oil pressure sending unit several times within the last 3 years because of its design. This truck has had several issues with oil regulation and its ridiculous.
How do I join the lawsuit.
This problem will fall on deaf ears just like the law suite about the cracks in the dashboard and all around the passenger side air bag GM does not care about its customers all they want is your money the there over priced product
Please contact me as. I have a 2011 Chevy Avalanche and it’s burning oil and smoking out the exhaust. I just had a mechanic check and this is the exact problem.
Where do we sign up on this class action? I have a 2013 Avalanche …
From what I understand the lawsuit was thrown out by a judge years ago. What I did for my 2013 suburban 130k mi. was install an oil catch can and a Range device in the OBD port to keep it from going into AFM mode. 8 cylinders all the time. Trying to prolong the life of the Burb. Now the oil consumption is minimized at the 3000 mi. oil change. Best of luck.
I am having several related issues on my 2012 Chevy Suburban. How do I file a claim?
Do not waste your time.
sell now and cut your losses courts have already said that gm engineers have “big guy” moments and these moments are not covered by any warranty.
Husband has cancer. We can ‘t buy another vehicle. We need this one for work and family, to work properly..,
Not an option. Not everyone has money floating around. I am a disabled Veteran.. Can’t afford to replace it now.
If you are burning oil your only option is replacing the motor, I would rebuild my own using an independent mechanic and machine shop and a AFM eliminator kit.
No cash ? shut off AFM and keep adding oil.
I have a 2014 GMC Sierra & I having similar if not exactly the same problems as listed in this lawsuit. Could you please add my name & truck make & model to your lawsuit, please & thank you.