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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.
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192 thoughts onGM Oil Consumption Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Engine Defect in Popular Vehicles
Add me … I have a 2009 gmc Sierra 1500 that has the same problems.
This isn’t just those years. The LC9 was first used in 2007. I have a 2008 Yukon with oil consumption issues that has cost major $. I also have a 2008 Saab 9-7x with the LH6 motor that eats more oil than the LC9. Low oil caused a lifter failure that cost me over $2k and currently I have the same problem but I don’t have another $2k to put into it.
I own a 2013 Equinox with 2,4 l ecotech engine. Excessive oil consumption , frozen intake tube or pcv with water inside intake, rough idle, no low oil warning light. Broke down in my garage rear main seal blew out. 104,000 miles. I’ve had to change exhaust and camshaft selenoids.also rough idle.
2011 Tahoe with engine and transmission problems
2009 Impala SS with the LC9 5.3L V-8. I paid to replace the engine with a lower-mile used engine due to excessive oil use and oil-fouled spark plugs.
I have a 2012 Chevy Equinox. I do regular oil changes as i am writing this my car is in the shop for rear main seal leak. It only has 97000 miles on it. ADD ME PLEASE
I had a 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 that describes these issues, i had to replace engine and even that had issues with seals and oil.
I have a 2012 Chevy equinox that i am buying on payments. Not sure how this works but as i am typing this my equinox is in the shop for a rear main seal leak.Add me plz.
Add me
I own a GMC Yukon (2013). I am having problems with everything you named. I have around 85,000 miles on my vehicle. What makes it so bad, the service department where I bought it doesn’t want to take responsibility.
2015 GMC Sierra. .Motor replaced at 99k due to this. This year should also be included.