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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
I purchased a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado ( first owner) and I only used it for recreational purposes . I would tow my travel trailer and always noticed it would consume oil . I thought perhaps it was viscosity breakdown. Years later I learned that the 5.3 vortex engine has this consumption issue and GM never notified me as they did with the airbag issue which was corrected.
I purchased a 2012 Avalanche with 80,000 mile. Noticed that the oil level was always a couple quarts low at oil change. Half way through the next change at 105,000 miles the oil level was just visible on the dip stick. Added oil to bring level up. Drove the truck 552 miles and the oil level was already down two quards.
I now keep a funnel and a four quort container of oil in the truck and check it at every fill.. this truck uses more oil then a two stroke engine.
I have a 2004 Tahoe will many of the same issues noted above. I purchased the truck brand new in 2003 with numerous oil repairs that continue to be an issue now.
I have a 2007 GMC Sierra with the same issues. I have to put about a quart a week. I’ve also put out a couple thousand to have items replaced before finding out about the bulletin. If I would’ve known about this issue when I bought the truck I probably would’ve went another route
I own 2015GMC Terrain purchased used in 2016. I just discovered this year that it is burning unusual amounts of oil without any gauge or sensor alerting me . I change the oil on a regular basis and have been told a few times there was hardly any oil at all. I have had the check engine light come on and have had cam shaft replaced twice ( that is what comes up on the code) now I check my oil every two weeks and add as needed. Ridiculous
I have a 2016 chevrolet colorado with the 3.6 V6 and it uses oil but the teck at the service counter told me that the engine should use a quart every 2000 miles and that they use loose rings for better milage. when i quit laughing and got off the floor I went home
We own a construction company with two 2021 GMC 2500 both of them consume or use 2 1/2 quarts of oil within the first 500 miles of an oil change something is definitely wrong We have notified the dealership they have given us nothing but a run around
I have a 2012 GMC Sierra and have had nothing but oil consumption problems since day 1. Many fouled plugs, injector issues and much more, even had 5qts of oil run through it in less than 1,000 miles without a engine light going on, I only knew when the motor started to knock
I have 2012 avalanche with oil consumption problems along with others
I have a 2012 Equinox and just found out this past weekend that my PC Valve was spitting out oil, no leaking, my antifreeze was leaking from my water pump and both oil and service engine lights never came on. My car was stuttering when stopped a signal light and I thought it was the transmission, nope. It was this problem all along. I’m looking at an expensive fix, if it can be fixed and if so, was told there may be other problems…. Pistons, head casket….GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS AT THEIR COST DUE TO FAILED WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. Not my Error!! My dad would have been upset if he knew how shady GM has become, he was an employee many many years ago