Breaking News: Two consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors (GM) saying a defective engine causes excessive oil consumption in seven popular models.
Lead plaintiffs Ron Shea and Robert Kelly say that 2011 through 2014 models of GM vehicles are equipped with the defective Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 LC9 engine, including:
- Chevrolet Avalanche
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- GMC Sierra
- GMC Yukon
- GMC Yukon XL
In 2007, GM rolled out the new engine and installed it in its popular models, but the engine is allegedly marred with defects.
“Unfortunately, the Generation IV Vortec 5300 Engine consumes an abnormally and improperly high quantity of oil that far exceeds industry standards for reasonable oil consumption,” claims the class action lawsuit. “This excessive oil consumption results in low oil levels, insufficient lubricity levels, and corresponding internal engine component damage.”
Both Shea and Kelly say they own GM vehicles affected by excessive oil consumption defect. Kelly owns a 2012 Chevrolet Suburban and says he has had to pay for repairs due to low oil levels from the defect.
Both consumers say they would not have purchased or paid as much for their GM vehicles if they knew about the engine defect.
“The Oil Consumption Defect can damage critical engine components and cause drivability problems, such as lack of power from misfire, spark plug fouling, excessive engine noise, abnormal vibration or shaking, piston cracking, head cracking, and, ultimately, engine seizure,” the class action lawsuit states. Shea and Kelly also say that they and other GM owners face substantial safety risks from the engine defect.
The problem allegedly rests with the piston rings in the defective engine. The piston rings can not keep the engine’s oil in the crankcase. This failure is compounded by other problems, specifically the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system that results in migrating oil. In turn, this oil creates problems when it burns or builds up on combustion chamber surfaces, Shea and Kelly assert.
In addition, “a flawed PCV system that vacuums atomized oil from the valvetrain into the intake system, where it is ultimately burned in the combustion chambers,” contributing to excess oil consumption in affected GM vehicles, according to the lawsuit.
Yet another issue causing excessive oil consumption is a so-called “Oil Life Monitoring System” that allegedly fails to monitor the oil level and instead miscalculates the remaining oil, causing operators to drive vehicles with engines that are inadequately lubricated. Compounding this problem is the oil change light that is supposed to notify operators when the fluid is low allegedly does not turn on until the oil level is so low that it could result in damage to the vehicle.
The class action lawsuit concludes that the vehicles were “engineered to fail.” Further, GM knew of the defects, say Shea and Kelly, but refused to disclose or remedy the problem.
The plaintiffs seek to represent consumers nationwide who purchased or leased any of GM vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective Generation IV 5.3 Liter V8 Vortec 5300 LC9 engines, along with an Indiana subclass.
Do you own a GM vehicle affected by excessive oil consumption? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
The lead plaintiffs and proposed Class Members are represented by Scott L. Starr and Andrew B. Miller of Starr Austen & Miller LLP, Adam J. Levitt, John E. Tangren, and Daniel R. Ferri of Dicello Levitt Gutzler LLC, W. Daniel “Dee” Miles, III, H. Clay Barnett, III, J. Mitch Williams, and Tyner D. Helms of Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, PC, and Jennie Lee Anderson and Lori E. Andrus of Andrus Anderson LLP.
The GM Oil Consumption Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Shea, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 3:21-cv-00086, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
NEC lawsuit: Families take action against Enfamil and Similac baby formula makers
September 10, 2025 | Legal News
209 thoughts onGM Oil Consumption Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Engine Defect in Popular Vehicles
I had a 2013 GMC Sierra SLT and I noticed I had power and performance problems a few years after my purchase. Nothing crazy but I did have to take my truck for maintenance.
I have a 2020 GMC with oil and transmissions..I would like to be added
Using lots of oil 2014 silverado.
2011 GMC Yukon, XL, oil consumption would foul plugs, 1,5 & 7. This went on for years arguing with the dealer, valve jobs and ultimately we were forced to pay our of our pocket for a new motor or trade which GM was not offering any assistance to speak of.
After new motor was pur in, we have had yet more valve jobs at our costs.
We still drive our 2011, 250,000 (+/-).
I would love to be in a class action !! Purchased in KY, reside in TN.
I own a 2013 chevy silverado 1500 5.3L that has burned oil since I have owned it. Bought it used in 2014 with 1300 miles on the odometer. I live in Nevada and I only see claims in California, Idaho, and North Carolina. How can I get inthis suit or am out of luck?
How do i apply for the gmc lawsuit
I need to file for gm engine lawsuite
I am trying to figure out why the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox was not included in this class action. The engine that is in that vehicle consumes excessive oil and they are well aware of the problem with the engines they out them in the equinox between 2010 and 2017, particularly with the 2.4L four-cylinder engine. I am wating patiently for this class action to include the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox since no one will touch my vehicle to fix anything that has to do with the engine because they will not guarantee the work since the engine is known to cause massive problems. Due to that my vehicle is sitting at my house while i still am paying on it. Chevrolet needs to do better.
I own a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, purchased in North Carolina, and have had to replace spark plugs every 3 months or 3000 miles because of spark plug fouling. Took it to 2 different chevrolet dealers who advised that the rings are defective, causing excessive oil burn and fouled spark plugs. Their only recommendation for repair was a complete engine rebuild. This has been going-on and documented since 2019.
I own a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3 4×4 and have to replace spark plugs often because of fouling.
Reduce Engine Power (1st occurence) < a month after purchase. The reduce engine power occurred 3-4 times about every 6 mos- 1 yr. All times I had to pay. One exception was made, I laid the labor costs only. My vehicle started burning oil last year 2024. I brought the vehicle in they could not determine the culprit. Oil consumption tests performed. Still undetermined. GM informed me, perhaps wear and tear. My car burned so much oil, I began to obtain top offs from GM 1 month before due. My car graduated to loud ticking noise showing no oil in engine. Today, my car is very loud knocking noise front the front end, burns excessive oil and now engine light came on 3 days ago that either the converter is damaged by oil
Yeah, we have a 2011 GMC Sierra and in 2019, we had to replace the engine, and my husband had just within the month had an oil change. So um yeah
I got a 2012 Silverado 4-4 v8 vortec engine , replaced engine through a Chevrolet dealership in 2019 , it had oil issues and went out.