Back in December, a class-action lawsuit was filed against General Motors in the U.S. District Court in Ohio that claimed its 5.3-liter LC9 V8 engine burns high amounts of oil and has other design flaws.
Now, a separate class-action suit has been filed in the U.S. District Court in Portland for an identical reason. Just like the Ohio case, this case claims the 5.3L V8 engines found in a number of 2010-2014 model-year GM trucks and SUVs has piston rings that do not maintain tension well enough to keep oil in the crankcase. Both suits also allege the PCV system can 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 Portland suit, first reported on by Car Complaints, says the engine is prone to experiencing further damage due to low oil including “ring wear, lifter collapse, bent pushrods, camshaft wear, valve wear, rod bearing wear, rod breakage, wristpin wear, wristpin breakage, crankshaft wear and main bearing wear.”
Additionally, both proceedings claim affected trucks and SUVs have defective oil monitoring systems, as the system only monitors temperature and engine speed to estimate oil quality and not oil levels in general. The owner could presumably just open the hood to check the oil levels using the dipstick, it is worth noting.
2014 GMC Yukon XL
As we pointed out when the Ohio lawsuit was filed, GM actually redesigned its 5.3-liter V8 engine after the 2014 model year. Newer versions of the engine use redesigned piston rings and valve covers and have a shield that deflects oil away from the piston skirts. GM also added an oil level sensor so oil level can be monitored from the cockpit. Vehicles involved in the Portland class action lawsuits were all built between 2010 and 2014. They include:
- 2010-2013 GMC Sierra
- 2010-2014 GMC Yukon
- 2010-2014 GMC Yukon XL
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche
- 2010-2013 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
Both suits also allege that GM knew about the oil consumption problems with the 5.3L V8 engines, evidenced by service bulletins and owner complaints, but chose to not act on the matter.
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Source: Car Complaints
Comments
LOL, are you defending the AFM destruction of the engine with this comment, “The owner could presumably just open the hood to check the oil levels using the dipstick, it is worth noting.” ?
It was government mandated/bad engineering garbage. Some people have lost their engines over this with bent rods and collapsed lifters.
The key is to never ever rely on electronics to due what you SHOULD periodically do!!!
In other words, get off your ASS and do what you should! People are getting to LAZY!!!
Next thing people will be suing because the snow and ice doesn’t melt off their vehicle
Did you even read it? The oil consumption is a symptom. The oil burning seizes the lifters and breaks the rods. Checking and topping off the oil wont stop your truck from going into AFM and burning the oil.
Yes my greasy fingernailed friend, your ignorance of faulty design escapes me. As a welder and military aircraft mechanic I have learned how to “look at a component” and see if it is designed to do the task at hand. I can look at non-aircraft parts and see good from bad. GM has been producing less than favorable parts in even poorer designs. Followed up by (believe it or not) leadership decisions that are driven by profit hungry stake-holders. Simply saying it is the users fault for excessive oil burning falls very short of the truth. I have taught my kids to check the oil every other fill-up, they haven’t been stranded yet.
Like me mine just blew
Mine’s on 03 Chevy suburban 5.3 V8 and it burns oil 😕 you can get a catch can to prevent that that’s what happened with mine the previous owner put a catch can on it. I’m sure they’re fairly cheap look up oil catch can. It will still burn oil but you will have the catch can with a dipstick that you empty every so often!ine burns and smokes out of my exaust
Sounds like a bunch of bull shit to me ! Those motors are bullet proof!
Checking your oil used to be a common thing you just done. If this issue isn’t showing up for several years, who’s fault is it? Check your oil as your vehicle ages. I notice all vehicles mentioned are at least 6yrs old.
The LC9 was such a problem that they had to make changes to it with the LMG and put a deflector on it. GM knew about this junk.
There are often changes or rules that have to be put into place to compensate for ignorance and stupidity.
It just like safety warning labels. Google that for a good time. My favorite is the chainsaw that says “do not stop the chain with hand or genitals” That was put in place because someone cut off their nuts and blamed the manufacturer.
did you even read the article or the history of the LC9 or LMG? do you even own a silverado/sierra? Checking and topping off the oil in an LC9 DOES NOT SOLVE ITS PROBLEM.
I have 2 of them. Never had an issue. I know there have probably been some bad ones, but from what my mechanics have said is that most of the issues are from negligence on the owners part. Not changing oil regularly enough, or not using synthetic of the proper weight to save money.
Topping off the oil might not solve the consumption problem, but PROPER MAINTENANCE WOULD LIKELY HAVE PREVENTED IT.
Add another one to the list. My son in laws fathers 11 Silverado 5.3 this weekend. Valve seized and all hell broke loose. A quick check of the oil shows full just like mine was. At least I get to say I told you so because he wouldn’t get his AFM turned off.
“Valve covers have a shield that deflects oil away from the piston skirts”
Me thinks someone’s auto correct got a bit confused maybe. The shield directs oil away from the PCV in the valve cover. Piston skirts don’t ever go near valve covers unless they are scattered on the ground after an RPM misadventure.
FUNNY HOW HONDA DOES NOT GET THIS KIND OF NEWS ON OIL USAGE ON SOME OF THE OLDER CARS. ASK ANY TECH WORKING AT A HONDA DEALER.
don’t worry, that normal. It’s a two stroke. 😃
My 2009 Silverado burned oil too Rock Hendrick Chevy dealer failed to tell me it burned oil. I checked the dip stick after diving it one day there was no oil showing on the stick. I added 4 quarts of oil to it. The oil light never came on even with it almost being out of oil. The Hendrick dealership that sold me me the truck too bad I should have gotten the extended warranty. Took it too another dealership they replaced the valve cover and told me that should stop it. But it didn’t, so I traded it in for a newer model.
I have a 2011 Sierra 1500 4×4 with the 5.3L V8 that I bought used 4 years ago. I’ve done cross country towing with it-crossing the Rockies several times. Although the loaded weight of the truck and trailer is well below the max, it’s a tall trailer so it’s not very aerodynamic. Most of the time I run about 75 mph and since the truck is geared 3.08 I run it in 5th gear. 6th is just too tall for towing. I always run a full synthetic oil-either Mobil 1 or Dexos. I also exclusively run Top Tier gas as recommended by GM. So how much oil does it use? Zero. Doesn’t even go down on the dipstick between oil changes. Money spent on repairs on this truck? Also zero. Maybe I just have a good one. But I think it also has something to do with how the truck is maintained.
If my engine used more than a quart of oil every 2,000 miles it is going down the road
My 2007 Yukon 5.3 had exactly same problem from day 1. Not sure why this only applies to the 2010-2014 engines.
contact one of attorneys office
So did my 2007 Suburban. It burned oil like a sonofabitch! I got my oil changed EVERY 3K miles. One time I was getting the oil changed and the mechanic comes up to me with my dipstick and asked me when’s the last time I got it changed. I tell him approx. 3K miles ago. He tells me I was running low on oil and shows me my dipstick.
That was back in 2011 and it’s the first time I experienced that. From that point on I’d add a quart of oil about halfway through to the next oil change.
It started with the 2006 gmc envoy Denali style to engine suck. The motor always had a Random misfire and you keep up on the maintenance of the vehicle and it starts to shake all over so and smoked at the rear and pipe. I’ve done went through 5.3 motors. Gm want us to pay top dollar for these trucks an suv up to 30,000$ and less and motors run $1,000 to $1,200 that’s just not right and they trying to go all well I trick vehicles which is gonna cost 20 times more and wondering if there’s gonna be hell a problems from them I don’t even know if I want to buy a GM product after all the headaches I went through within the past few years.
Most manufactures don’t jump on problems if it is not a safety issue for across the board fixes for everyone. But since the beginning of time it’s always debatable, how much oil consumption is acceptable. About twenty years ago VW actually publish that 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles was acceptable for one engine that was having oil consumption problems. I have the LMG 2012 Silverado and no oil problems at all. Never had to add oil between 7000 mile change intervals.
The problem was fixed in the LMG. The article is about the LC9 which was cause for the fix in the LMG
If someone wants to donate one of the oil burners for my Jeep build let me know, I bet my 4.0 burns way more. I promise I will check the oil every week to make sure it’s still burning it, it’s already a habit.
I have a 2012 Silverado with the 5.3L. The RPO sticker says I have the LMG varient. So, it doesn’t seem the year is as important as the luck of the draw. I have 90,000 miles on this engine. There is no discernible oil consumption issue and my pressure is consistently good. Engine has had no issues or major repairs. The AFM is working properly. NO ISSUES. Still getting 15.5 MPG mixed highway and city. I love this truck and if GM will get their interiors up to par with RAM, I’ll buy another.
The problem was fixed for the most part in the LMG. I have a 13 with the LMG and it runs fine. The LC9 was where the problem was discovered.
Thanks barzos_bend. I’ll sleep better knowing that.
I would disable the AFM before problems erupt. I heard disconnecting some wire near the brake booster does the trick or there are chips and if you know of someone that does a hp tuners tune reasonably they can shut it off and at the same time give it a performance or economy tune
I have 2012 silverado 1500 it was burning oil like crazy! I did research and talk to mechanic and they told me is AFM system causing the problem. I bought AFM disable device call range and solve my oil consumption issue!!! The truck better and probably prevented all the issues if the truck run low on oil!!! Try this product range afm disable it have very good reviews on amazon and ebay!
By the way, I also own a 2010 Escalade ESV with the 6.2L. Just crested 98.000 trouble free miles. Same thing here. No oil consumption. No engine repairs. Has the AFM and still runs like new. This one has the L94 Engine RPO code.
Is there a problematic code (engine variant) for the 6.2L truck engines as well?
On my second 5.3 and yes they do suck the oil into the intake manifold. This has more to do with the almost flat valve cover design as well as a very poor oil drain sizing of the drain ports.. The engine e does burn more oil than its larger displacement predecessor. Some of this is due to the design of the AFM lifter system. Many lifetime GMC owners went to other manufacturers over this. A shame GM wont acknowledged these failures and retain loyal customers, but then again, look at what the over educated morons have done with the company financially and you will see that common sense employees who rise through the ranks were what made things work and work well. Just another sign of the times.
Brazos_bend, I’ve seen old engines that burn enough oil to leave a blue cloud wherever they go, and not collapse lifters or break rods. The problems in the GM 5.3 are poor parts and design flaws.
Many GM V8s run horrible longer than other engines run at all. In the LC9 the lifters fail because of the 4 cylinders deactivating when the godawful AFM activates.
I recommend turning off AFM on out of warranty vehicles and changing oil about every 5000 miles or 6 months using full synthetic
My 2016, 6.2 46000 miles w/ AFM that burns 2 qts of oil in 1500 miles when pulling a enclosed trailer. Lost 2 lifters and bent push rods. Doesn’t use ant oil when not pulling trailer.
I have a 2009 Silverado with the LC9 with the same issues. Oil consumption and plug fouling.
I dont think it has anything to do with the vehicle model or year. Its the LC9 itself.
I have a silverado 2009 1500 lt I can’t drive more than 2000 km with the new oil change because my oil pressure goes down if I add new oil to it it does not change the oil pressure so I have no other choice and change the oil and then it goes back to normal and After 2000 km have to do it again It has only 208000 km talk to the dealership about it and they say there is nothing they can do about it because it’s out of warranty but this way it’s not cheap.
I would suspect sludge is blocking the oil pan pick up tube but that is just a guess dealerships usually like to sell a rebuilt engine in cases like this they like to replace components not fix them
I wonder about the 4.8 liter – a smaller version of the 5.3. At 165k the 4.8 in my van seems to be doing fine but I have relied wholly on the oil monitoring system.
I see that the 4.8L does not have active fuel management (AFM)
The lawsuit should include 2008 also. I had a 2008Avlanche from new and it burned oil from new and dealer gave me the run around for years and claimed it was normal.
These vehicles are at least six years old. What sort of mileage do they have on them? It is not a safety issue. Do these lawsuits mean that a manufacturer has to offer a longer warranty, whether it wants to or not?
I had an 07 Avalanche for 10 years that I loved but it would burn a quart of oil between 3000 mile oil changes. Dealer told me that was normal, I call BS! Wanted to waste my time with an oil consumption study but I never did it.
Yep have one of those motors…07 gmc…truck is sitting now cuz is toast but still very drivable. Would burn about 7 litres between oil changes…crazy…I now drive a ford
Have an ‘07 GMC that burned oil like crazy. Fought with dealer and finally GM paid for only half of the required repair—rings, pistons and whatever. Wish I had known to have them change the control module and turn off the AFM!
2007 Chevy Avalanche has same issue with excessive oil consumption. At the time only had about 50,000 miles.
I have a 2008 suburban that barely makes it from oil change to oil change without chugging a minimum of 4 quarts. And to topp it off ive already had to cjange the lifters because 2 of them collapsed and the my oil pressure drops at about 2500 miles of the oil change life.
If you love it get a new motor or ship it on down the line
I have a 2010 gmc Sierra 1500 5.3L and I gotta rebuild the engine for a 2nd time because of a lifter callapsed and camshaft is getting chewed up again
Should have bought a Ford. Built Ford Tough. Mine is bulletproof.
This is why the only new truck I will ever buy will be electric. I dont want all this bean counter bad engineering. I just replaced my 2010 Silverado 5.3 with the DOD delete to hold me over after cylinder 7 died. Checked my oil almost everyday. Pathetic engineering thanks to some mediocre suit making the final decision.
Why do you think GM electric will be any better?
Agree… Just replaced lifters in mine after #7 lifter was stuck. Tried several other options to fix it before I had the motor torn down. Shame on GM for this as they are aware. $2000 later my suburban runs like a champ. No more AFM.
Did you put a remanufactured version of the same engine back in? I am in exactly the same boat. Lifters went out and I could have them replaced but from what I have read the others could also go out at any time. The same engine would just do the same thing again down the road, correct?
I just did a rebuild on my 2013 Suburban LTZ 2 weeks ago. I can assure you that this is an issue. Number 7 lifter was stuck. Delete kit won’t completely eliminate this issue if damage is already done. We had to replace cam and lifters. Not an easy job for the lay person. I have almost $2000 into this and did all work myself. Runs like a champ now.
just bought a 2012 yukon XL 9 months ago and now have this issue with the cams/lifters and was quoted 8k for a new engine at 127k miles with recent cam work done by the dealer at 98k miles. Absolutely terrible as I was expecting some long term durability when buying this vehicle.
What a nightmare. That should NEVER happen with today’s cars.
Chevrolet has a flaw they need to address. There are way too many issues with these engines. Same issues with Thousands of different customers
Yes I have the same problem with mine. I have to add a quart of oil a week and replace spark plugs 1 and 8 every month or so because they break and are caked up with burnt motor oil. How do I get in on this lawsuit ???
All these post about the 5.3 Oil Consumption Spark plug fouling engines..I have a 2013 Silverado that has all these symptoms. Purchased from Huffines Chevrolet…LewisvilleTx…..How and who do we contact to join this Class action Lawsuit?….
I’d like to know the same thing. One law firm told me to call the bar association in my state and they should have info. I haven’t had time to do it yet. I will Friday tho.
I have the same problem 2012 Suburban LTZ. Putting this out there so they can see more claims. I will call the bar association in Colorado, from what I have read that’s were I need to start. BS that we spent that much money on a vehicle that they are knowingly having trouble with and they aren’t stepping up to take care of us!! Let’s get them !!
my 2009 Silverado 1500 4×4 is burning oil the last year or so. also the number 1 ,3,4 spark plug burnt .so i replace all of them. (also with less than 25.000 miles the number 5 cam blew ) (likely it was under warranty then) so is these problems the cause from the problems that the others are having ? i check my oil every morning and when a tapping sound begins , even when there is plenty of oil in it .
Has anyone ever been to Volcano eCigs Vapor Store in 110 West Everly Bros Blvd Suite E?
My 07 Trailblazer with the 5.3 burns thru 5 quarts of oil every 400 miles. So roughly per tank of fuel. It’s been doing this since it had 120,000 miles on it, it’s now at 216,000. Do you understand how often I have to check and add oil to this thing? I use to love GM, especially the LS type engines. This truck and others with this engine has lost my trust with GM. I now have a ram 2500 with the Cummins in it, the Trailblazer wasn’t even worth selling.