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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
2014 Chevy Tahoe w/ 5.3L. Literally burns about 1.5 quarts of oil per 3000 miles. No Oil leaks no smoke in the exhaust. Just burns oil and never lets you know when the oil is low. Of course when I first discovered it I took it to my mechanic and blamed him for not adding enough oil on my last oil change. So I did the oil change myself…. yup not his fault this sucker just eats oil!! (egg in my Face) Still have less than 80k miles on the 8yr old motor. Just crazy that GM will not come up with something to fix this problem.
I have a 2011 GMC Terrain with the same issues never once has my oil light came on.
I have a 2013 Chevy Silverado; it burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles.
Chevrolet Silverado 4.3 L V6 Vortex 2009 same problem
burns over 1/4 quarts of oil every 1000 miles
no message on my panel no more oil
where to contact for law action collective?
My 2014 gmc serria same problem bought from John L Sullivan less then a year ago with warranty burns over 3quarts of oil every 1000 miles and they keep dragging it out and just adding oil and tell me to come back in a thousand miles like they are buying time for warranty to run out. In less then a year had to get new cats, drivers window keeps malfunctioning, lifters tick, transmission randomly slams they keep saying they can’t verify the problems they keep wanting $175 diagnostic fees but are not fixing any of the problems. Including the excessive oil consumption just keep adding oil and telling me to keep driving it and bring it back in a 1000 miles. Truck has under 100 thousand miles on it. Truck still cost me over $30,000 dollars they keep slow dragging me to where I’m going to stuck with a lemon truck. It’s outrageous and I pray someone can help from being ripped off
I am also having a problem with oil consumption with my 2013 Equinox. I brought my vehicle in for a loud noise in the engine, the service man refused to listen to the noise or even check the oil. He started ranting that it was too early for an oil change the dashboard said 38% and he forced me to wait until the oil rate was in the teens before he would allow the oil change. A few months later the engine light came on (I had the oil changed earlier) the service man checked the oil and there was hardly any oil left on the dipstick. Now I am forced to have my oil checked by them every 500 miles and do an oil consumption test. The oil in the engine is dark, no oil stains on the ground. My husband and I are retired living on social security, a $2,500 to $3,000 or more repair bill is not in our budget. I feel that the service man who refused me service should be liable, I brought the car in for all the services.
My 2008 Buick Enclave which I purchased used little over a year ago burns engine oil excessively. The first time I had a oil change and a month later I was driving the check engine light comes and as I listen it I hear a sound like engine was making noise when I excellerate and slow down so I stop look under the hood my oil was almost bone dry. Call a friend put 3 qts in the engine light goes out. I happens a again I YouTube the issue have the PVC valve replace and a oil change maybe 4 months ago. Had another oil change two must ago yesterday heard the sound again check engine light came on check the oil it was almost empty again. I put 3.5 qts in the check engine light is off again
I have a 2013 GMC Sierra 4×4 with less than 100,000 miles that I bought new and goes through almost 2 quarts every 6000 miles. Dealership has replaced the oil sensor and sending unit 3 times. The lifters are knocking during cold weather. When I have run low on oil the sensor did not indicate it. Where can we find the status of this class action lawsuit. Wanting to get rid of this lemon but no one will buy it and pay what I need to get out of it to put toward another truck.
Hi my wife and I have a 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche. It started having high oil consumption and now it has a locked up cylinder. We bought the extended warranty so it’s still supposed to be covered. They are trying. To get out of fixing this well known problem.
2008 GMC YUKON XL excessive oil consumption. Had to replace engine. Constantly had to change out spark plugs.