GM Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Vortec V8 Engine In Full-Size SUVs And Pickups
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General Motors has been slapped with a new class-action lawsuit over alleged issues with the Vortec V8 engine in its GMT900 platform full-size trucks and SUVs.
This lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Ohio, is yet another class-action proceeding against GM over alleged oil consumption problems in the Generation IV 5.3L Vortec V8 engine. The automaker is already facing a number of other similar class-action lawsuits over this problem, two of which were filed just this year.
The oil burn problem is allegedly caused by the PCV valve in the engines, which can draw oil out of the valvetrain and into the intake before it is burned in the combustion chambers. This lawsuit also claims the piston rings fail to maintain pressure in the crankcase and that a faulty oil pressure relief valve sprays oil directly at the piston skirts, overloading the rings and allowing oil to sneak past into the combustion chamber
These issues can lead to low oil levels in affected vehicles, the lawsuit says. Severe engine damage can occur if the engine is run with insufficient oil levels, including piston and rod damage, among other issues. The oil leakage can also foul the spark plugs, causing the engine to misfire and/or shut down completely.
GM has implemented various fixes for this issue through Technical Service Bulletins, although the plaintiff in this suit says the automaker’s suggested repairs only temporarily solve the issue.
This lawsuit claims the following GM full-size trucks and SUVs with the 5.3L LC9 Vortec V8 engine are prone to these issues:
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Silverado
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2010-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche
- 2010-2014 GMC Sierra
- 2010-2014 GMC Yukon
- 2010-2014 GMC Yukon XL
In early November, a judge tossed out a similar lawsuit that was filed in Ohio back in 2019 after finding multiple problems with the plaintiff’s claims. The judge found GM did not breach its warranty terms and also said the plaintiff in the nationwide suit lacked standing “to assert claims under the laws of the states in which they do not reside.”
We’ll provide an update on this latest oil burn lawsuit against GM when more information becomes available.
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I have a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, only have 484,391 miles on it. Still runs great uses less than a quart of oil between oil changes. Started using a little oil at 300,000. Guess that not to bad with the miles. Strange thing is that it doesn’t smoke. Usually use Risolen or Marvel Mystery Oil at oil change.
This is because you take care of it. We’ve had Chevy V8s in the family for years, some going to 350,000 miles before trade, Virtually no oil burning in any of them. No Rislone, no Marvel, no nothing.
I daresay the only time an aidditive has been used in any f our family vehicles was for my 1974 Opel Manta. Those things could clatter like a sewing machine if the lifters got out of sorts. GM’s own oil additive knocked that out within a few miles. The Buick agency told me not to overdo; one can every 20,000 miles or so would solve the problem. They were right.
I had a 2007 Tahoe that I brought from the dealer with low miles back in 2010 that would get so low between oil changes that the lifters would tap!!! I first thought that the people that changed the oil didn’t refill it properly, topped it off and about 2500 miles later lifters tapping again!!! Traded it!!
has any one check 4.3 same block just two cyclider less .there a problem with oil and takes out rod bearing.
My 2014 Silverado w/V6 has the same problem after oil changes & running approx 2000-2500miles its 2 quarts low on oil. The computer notified me oil level low on several occasions & I took it in to the Dealer & they did an oil change & told me to come back after 2500 miles. When I brought it back it was 2 quarts low again & since I bought the extended warranty up to 120K they replaced the pistons & rings etc. $4000… The service adviser admitted to me that he sees alot of V6’s with the exact problem & that I was one of the lucky ones since I purchased the warranty.
I have a 03 blazer and have rebuilt my engine once at 121k from a snapped timing chain taking out the top end, i had the heads ported and bored and polished to put 350 top end parts in(pushrods,spring,rockers,etc) and bigger cam and had the cranked turned 180. Shes sitting at 271k and doesnt burn a drop. The 4.3s suffers alot from the spider injection and being slow turd but they are solid engines
My 2014 Silverado w/V6 has the same problem after oil changes & running approx 2000-2500miles its 2 quarts low on oil. The computer notified me oil level low on several occasions & I took it in to the Dealer & they did an oil change & told me to come back after 2500 miles. When I brought it back it was 2 quarts low again & since I bought the extended warranty up to 120K they replaced the pistons & rings etc. $4000… The service adviser admitted to me that he sees alot of V6’s with the exact problem & that I was one of the lucky ones since I purchased the warranty.
Lol Thank you Kyle ! Guess there’s a reason those little gauges and lights are referred to as “Idiots lights”.
My last 9 vehicles have been Chevy’s. My most recent one is a Malibu. I paid for the auto start, but I can not start it with MyChevy app unless I pay for the useless OnStar. I am not paying $20 or $30 a MONTH to start my car. I never had to before. Had I known they changed, I would not have purchased it. I’ll never buy a Chevy again. It’s Toyota for life.
You are every bit as likely to pay a monthly fee to Toyota.
My 2014 Silverado w/V6 has the same problem after oil changes & running approx 2000-2500miles its 2 quarts low on oil. The computer notified me oil level low on several occasions & I took it in to the Dealer & they did an oil change & told me to come back after 2500 miles. When I brought it back it was 2 quarts low again & since I bought the extended warranty up to 120K they replaced the pistons & rings etc. $4000… The service adviser admitted to me that he sees alot of V6’s with the exact problem & that I was one of the lucky ones since I purchased the warranty.
Wow..So this problem comes to light..So what about the 5.3 that are in the the older trailblazers…I have a 2006 with the 5.3 that has the same problem..I’ve had to replace the motor because of a messed up Rod and the same problem is going on again with the oil situation.It would be nice if the problem could be fixed.
I have a 2001 Silverado Lt with the 5.3…It has 251651 miles on it & drives really good..Has a little lifter slap at startup for about 30 seconds..I use Royal Purple full synthetic oil & change the oil every 4000 miles no matter what…Its got a full K&N filter, Headers, Flowermaster Super 40’s, Accel 8mm wires & crammed..this thing will fry the tires right now…I keep up with the maintenance…I gotta give GM some props that 5.3 of mine is one strong motor.
It started way back in the late 80s. My Dads 89 3/4 ton Chevy burned oil like it was going out of style. Had the engine rebuilt at only 80,000 miles! Those vortec motors are crap.
2007 tahoe ltz 5.3 flex
Has the same problem. How come the year 2007 & Up isn’t included in the years listed that was considered kinks being fixed.
We have a 2008 Chevy Impala SS. It has a 5.3 that is always missing oil. I’m currently in the process of rebuilding the engine. 🙁
I had this exact problem with my 2007 Tahoe just before the warranty was to expire. All the mention fixes they did and resized the piston rings. ( Verbiage might be off). 2007 Tahoe 13 yrs old and still driving good. 280000 miles
I’m 62 yrs. old and I’ve been a Bow Tie hand all my life. I’ve never had an engine failure due to anything. In fact the Bow Tie hasn’t failed on me yet. I’ve had nothing but great performance, relialability, and great luck with them. If course I maintain them myself, changing the oil EA 3K miles, keep belts, hose’s replaced EA 40K (Or sooner) Have radiator rebuilt EA 60K, or sooner, change the coolant EA year etc… Never break down, no problems….NADA! You rap what you sow!
I had a great father he really mentors me. So you see there’s way more in preventing engine failure than meets the eye!!
I have same problem with my 2009 Chevy Silverado ltz I spent over 14000 dollars to fix and finally the treats of the block mess up replace crank shaft lifters new oil pump and Chevrolet dealer no wants to replace the engine after 4 time they open the engine mess up the block I need my money back from GM
If im not mistaken, all of these 2010 and up vortec engines are the Active Fuel Management or Displacement on Demand engine designs that use Cylinder Deactivation for a little extra gas milage. The only way to fix it is to do a AFM delete kit, have it tuned by someone who does these all the time, and have a catch can system hooked up to the intake to catch any extra oil that will sneak through.
04 Yukon XL 5.3 flex 330k had for years has used oil from day one. The amount is always the same about 1.7 quarts between every oil service, so GM has known this was an issue all along and now if forced to deal w the issue (albeit) as cheaply as possible will be the outcome, what about the thousands of suburban/yukon/tahoe/silverado/ cad owners that fit that bill for a new engine 6 months out of warranty? 6.0 ain’t cheap
07 suburban ltz 5.3 flex worse suv i owned. Day 1 problems. Dealer wouldnt take back. Now it has 147k and i still have crappy days . between burning oil . crap pressure. Crap intake. Bow tie is just a swad of toliet tissue.
You must be unlucky. I have a ’07 Suburban with the 5.3 Vortec, 180k miles, runs like new. Burns about 1 – 1 1/2 quarts when it nears 3k miles from the last oil change. I’ve even taken it in with NO oil on the dipstick for an oil change and still haven’t had any issues. After 13 years of driving it, I consider that engine bulletproof!
The 305 and 350 engine that began the early look of the bortec back in 1987 when the pickup debuted with throttle body fuel injection they had their issuses .And right at 190 to 220 HP they were pretty guttless.Cracked heads ,valve stem seats dring up becoming so brittle they would actually fall off..In 1996 we got the first experience with the real vortec . with torque and horsepower gains we still had the same issues .However the new so called small block changed everything.and yes they too have their problems .But have to admit they are a beast. Their head design is so impressive that I personally don’t even want to build a 350 or even a stroker .THE LS and the LT .are some incredable engines .
But the truth is and will always be about maintence and the proper \ correct weight of motor oil .Back then and today if don’t service your engine on time you will have.failure .Oil cunsumption no doubt that is and issue .but like I said.The small block is a beast and one heck of an upgrade
Just my opinion.
Get a full cam kit why not, put a double roller on it cold air tube, some exhaust and a custom tune on the dyno. I paid a little bit, but truck runs great.