7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,520
Average Mileage:
66,350 miles
Total Complaints:
78 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (65 reports)
  2. replace valve cover (6 reports)
  3. replace engine (4 reports)
  4. replace valve stem seal (2 reports)
  5. traded truck after repair (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #78

Sep 012021

Silverado LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

This is the first Silverado I have owned. And will not buy another one. I bought the truck used at 89,000 miles and it was well taken care of for an older truck, but I did not know that the 5.3 liter motors had such problems. I have to check the oil level constantly as it goes through about a quart every 2,000 miles. And as I look into this problem discovered that chevy knows this was a problem but kept pumping out the motors anyways without a fix.

Poor company policies. The government should have let them go belly up instead of bailing them out of their poor choices. My step father always told me they leak oil and on a quiet day you can hear them rust, I should have listened. I have owned many other trucks in my life, mostly Rams, and I have never had any problems like this.

- only1reaper, Bayfield, US

problem #77

Nov 012015

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

Change oil regularly. Problem became more noticeable after 60,000 miles. The oil consumption is getting really bad now and consumes more than 1 quart every 1000 miles. As long as it was below that spec, I knew from talking with my GM Rep, they would not do anything about it. Now that it has gotten worse, it just costs me money in oil.

- bigdre62250, Washington, US

problem #76

Jul 132016

Silverado V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

We have had our 2011 Chevy Equinox since 2014. Since 2015 we have been experiencing the use of excess oil consumption. We change our oil between 1,000 to 2,000 miles and carry oil in the equinox on a "just in case" basis so that our vehicle doesn't run without oil. Our equinox is constantly shutting off while driving, it is stalling on a regular basis. There is nothing but knocks when we start our car, it idles incredibly hard and "bounces" when at a red light or stop sign. I am afraid my car will "blow up" when my 3 kids are in the car. This needs to be taken care of and I need a new car because of it.

- Jennifer P., Endicott, US

problem #75

Sep 252017

Silverado LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I am being quoted $4,500 USD to replace my engine. I cannot believe all this engine is good for is 200,000 miles. I love my truck but am baffled why GM is building trucks with a known problem and then wondering why sales are down. I try to buy American but if we cannot build better quality vehicles, I have to spend my hardworking cash elsewhere.

- dugger365, Acworth, US

problem #74

Jun 152009

Silverado LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles

Must add 1/2 quart of oil 1800 - 2000 miles after each oil change and then again each 700 miles until new oil change.

- Dirk M., Chesapeake, VA, US

problem #73

Jan 012010

Silverado 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

First time posting. 2007 Silverado bought new. Love the truck, lots of power. But..........a quart of oil every 800 miles. Now the lifters clack every start up until they get oil, Now I am hearing a low knock, main bearing maybe. After reading all the postings I now understand why. I refuse to play the dealer game of all the hoops of getting it fixed and in the end it is money out of your pocket for what really is just a piece of inadequate machinery. Fuel management Ha Ha Ha 15 to 17 mile to the gallon no matter how you drive, what a joke, but they sold me on it. Can't afford to trade it, fix it, or buy another. Oil is cheaper than a new engine which based on what I am reading is the only real solution. Good thing it is paid off.

- Chris G., Middleburg, FL, US

problem #72

May 062016

Silverado LTZ 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,513 miles

2007 SILVERADO WAS USING 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 2500 MILES, AND THEN THE MOTOR BLEW UP WITH 96,513 MILES ON IT, COSTING $6250 TO REPLACE MOTOR, THAT WAS FROM THAT DAM AFM THAT CHANGES 8CY TO 4CY THE BIGGEST JOKE CHEVY EVER DID!! MY FRIEND HAS A 2011 THAT'S DOING THE SAME THING, BUT HE GOT SMART THE OTHER DAY, HE TRADED IT FOR A NEW FORD BEFORE IT BLEW UP TOO!! SO MY 2007 HAS A NEW MOTOR WITH 50,000 OR 5YR WARRATY, SO IM GOING TO DRIVE THE HELL OUT OF IT FOR 45,000 AND GET RID OF IT!!

- Gene C., Donnelly, MN, US

problem #71

Feb 012016

Silverado LS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

Truck uses a lot of oil when the check engine light comes on and it says to service traction control.

- Ed B., Cameron, MO, US

problem #70

Mar 012016

Silverado LTX 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Chevrolet knows they have a problem with this years Silverado but will not do anything about it. They want me to purchase a NEWLY RE-DESIGNED VALVE COVER FOR ALMOST $200. That alone should be enough to make Chevrolet recall and fix this problem. They have redesigned the valve cover which means the old design was insufficient. By the way this may still not fix the problem but thats where they told me to start! I am now using at least a quart of oil every 500 miles.

- Nick T., Easley, SC, US

problem #69

Jan 202017

Silverado LTZ 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,318 miles

This excessive oil consumption issue has been an ongoing issue since 2 weeks after I bought this Truck, the dealership did a major repair in January 2016 and it is happening again to where my Cam Shaft, Lifters and rod are damaged now.

The warranty Company I have which covers only the power train would not fix the issue a year ago, yet the oil sending unit I understood was on recall then and replaced and started up again 1 year later. Now their deciding if and what they will do now.

There is a class action lawsuit in Minnesota for 2010-2013 Silverado 1500, I have notified them of my issue and I'm hoping I am added. If this warranty Company replaces the engine with a new GM engine I would be very appreciative but lets see what happens.

Update from Feb 1, 2017: I received a call from the Dealer Kemna of Fort Dodge that warranty company is authorizing a Remed: Meaning as I understand that I will be getting a Remanufactured Engine.

Update from Feb 16, 2017: I have now been without a truck 4 weeks tomorrow 2/17/2017. I now have made contact with GM and advised them of this ongoing issue and they now have contacted me wanting more details and they have recently replied;

2/16/2017

Hi Barry,

Thank you for providing that information. To ensure I assist you in the best way possible I went ahead and created case 8-2752083088 on your behalf. Moving forward I will be contacting Kemna Auto of Fort Dodge’s team for an update regarding your Silverado. Once I receive clarification I will be sure to follow-up with you.

In the meantime if you have any additional questions or concerns, please be sure to send another message my way.

Sincerely,

Brandon J. GM Customer Care

So the warranty company has now returned the first rebuilt engine back to the company who rebuilt the 5.3L Vortec has sent Kemna a Second Re-built engine in which has been scheduled for delivery tomorrow 2/17/17 now with a case number being assigned to my issue from GM now its wait and see.

Update from Mar 27, 2017: Since this truck has gone in and it took just about 5 weeks and a couple of days to finally get it back to us, the oil pressure went up and down considerably my wife and I had already started looking at other trucks to include other brands.

Well we got the truck back and within 2 weeks we found a truck a BRAND NEW TRUCK, we decided to buy a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with a 5.7L Hemi and we traded in the Chevy.

I got really NO assistance with GM after posting a complaint on the Facebook page, oh don't get me wrong they did respond and I was asked to send a private message to their customer care Facebook page. I didn't want much just fix the problem even to the extent of making some concessions to assist us in getting a newer vehicle and nothing was offered.

Our first Dodge, and my second in 35years and are we so pleased with the product and warranty.

I will say that many people having issues with their 5.3L Vortec engine needs to spread the word about this to others before they buy a Chevy..

Good Bye GM and it will take an act of Congress to ever get my wife and I to reconsider a GM product again.

- Barry E., Humboldt, IA, US

problem #68

Jan 062016

Silverado Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

I have a 2007 chev Silverado and it seems like every 1000 miles I'm adding a quart or 2 of oil...bullshit

- Jason H., Appleton, WI, US

problem #67

May 102016

Silverado Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Their test says its in specks. Over a quart of oil per 1800 miles

- asteiner, Wausau, WI, US

problem #66

Nov 182010

Silverado LT1 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I LIKE MY CHEVY TRUCK. I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS TRUCK.

- Vernon C., Belleville, IL, US

problem #65

Feb 152016

Silverado LX 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Every week put one liter of oil.

- Francisco R., Rialto, CA, US

problem #64

Jul 012010

Silverado Z71 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I HAD TO BATTLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND CHEVY TOOTH AND NAIL TO GET THEM TO COVER THE REPAIRS. CHEVY WANTED TO TELL ME IT WAS NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION TO HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF OIL OR TWO BETWEEN OIL CHANGES.

- Ellis H., Bolivar, MO, US

problem #63

Mar 012016

Silverado Z71 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,000 miles

I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY NEW 2007 CHEVY SILVERADO IN 2010 AT 45,000 MILES. I HAD MULTIPLE FIXES ATTEMPTED BUT IT CONTINUED TO BURN OIL. THEY PERFORMED A REPAIR CONSISTING OF CHANGING THE VALVES, PISTON AND RINGS WHICH COST $1800.

THE TRUCK IS NOW AT 164,000 MILES AND I AM BURNING THROUGH A QUART OF OIL A WEEK. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP NOW TELLS ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $6500 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I HAVE HAD TWO OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES IN THE PAST AND DRIVEN BOTH OF THEM FOR 275,000 PLUS MILES WITH NO ISSUES WITH THE ENGINES AND THEY NEVER USED OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES.

THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS WHOLE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ON THE AUTO INDUSTRY TRYING TO IMPROVE GAS CONSUMPTION. I SEE NO IMPROVEMENT IN GAS CONSUMPTION AND NOW I HAVE TO ADD AN EXTRA QUART OF OIL EACH WEEK.

IF CHEVY CAN'T STAND BEHIND THEIR ENGINES I DON'T KNOW WHY MY TAX DOLLARS WENT TO GO BAIL THEM OUT OF BUSINESS WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO BUILD ENGINES OR HAVE A FIX FOR THEIR ISSUES.

- Ellis H., Bolivar, MO, US

problem #62

Jul 192014

Silverado LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

I bought My 2007 Silverado Z71 Crew cab new in 2007. I now as of 4/22/15, have 51,000 miles on it. Around 34,000 miles, I checked the oil and it was 2 qts low. I use Mobile 1 full synthetic and Mobile long life filter doing it yourself about $50.00. Dealer $70. So when I saw 2 qts low I thought I must have not written it down in my small tablet in my truck, I always put The oil changes and dates and how many miles are on it in my tablet. So I changed it, 1,500 miles later its 2qts low again That's when I found out about the active fuel management problems, using oil

So today as of today I took to dealership to start the long process monitoring the oil consumption I have to return in 1500 miles, what I have read if burning oil is detected the dealer will change valve cover gaskets, Then 1500 miles if that don't work they will install an oil deflector or something like that, Then if that don't Then if that don't fix it they will pull the engine and put new style pistons in it and this is supposed to fix the problem, So I guess I will find out what will happen over this long process.

- jerryball, Loveland, OH, US

problem #61

May 012014

Silverado LTZ 5.3L V8 Ffl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles

GM and the dealership require you to undergo an oil consumption test where you must return return to the dealership to have your oil level checked a total of 4 times in increments of 1000 miles. My dealership, Bill Kay Chevrolet takes over an hour to check the oil level each time....After the oil level is confirmed low you must return to the dealership to have your vehicle serviced. The first step is having an updated valve cover installed if the problem still persists, and it will, then you must get an AFM shield installed. If the problem still persists, and again it most likely will, they must remove the engine and replace the pistons.

Ultimately the only real fix for this issue is having all three of the above fixed performed; but GM is cheap so they think if they can get away with the first or second step only then they will. Which means you must return to the dealership a total of 7 times for the oil test and all fixes to be performed. What a pain in the butt!!!!

- Matt S., Bolingbrook, IL, US

problem #60

Mar 012008

Silverado LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,200 miles

Ah the old excessive oil consumption that Chevrolet says is normal and they have a program in place to prove it and they will provide you with all the paperwork and work sheets to prove it. Yep all the dealers and dealership repairs people state same thing. Hum imagine that. Funny No other manufacturers vehicles does this. I thought when I complained to my dealer in Prattville AL, the way he treated me it was just the way it is and led me to believe it was just new technology due to engines being real tight tolerances and so on. And because it happened since I bought it new (10 Miles on odometer)he made a believer out of me. Then the inevitable happened. I met someone that had same problem and I googled oil consumption and low and behold I now know the truth. The whole problem appears to be linked to the fuel saving gimmick of dropping from a 8 cyl to 4 during reduction of acceleration. Those four cylinders are still operation just not getting fuel. I was told the valves stay open and no fuel is sent to the cylinder sort of like JAKE brake of big rigs. Problem is there is a vacuum created and it sucks oil into cylinder. In actuality there is no oil consumption, it's sucked out of the pan (notice no oil smoke unless you drop a valve or it explodes from wrong compression when kicks back in to 8 cylinders as some have found out. Most only find that it is only a inconvenience of adding oil. Others unfortunately have had to replace engines. My understanding currently is they changed valves or something (went over my head) to stop vacuum in the 2009-12 models, that's why you don't here about it in later models. I have talked to a few of those and it appears to be correct, my brother has a later model and his doesn't have the same issue. I was told one fix is to have dealer ship dis-engage the 8 to 4 fuel saving program. Don't use a lot of up and down accelerations and avoid hard take offs after long coasts, especially on higher mileage vehicles. Oh and by the way those that pull heavy trailers don't appear to have problem as bad, won't drop down to 4 cylinder mode when towing. I hope this to be fact and is what is happening. Chevrolet will never recall it as it is not a safety issue and most will not have a catatonic engine failure, and most appear to happen after 100,000 miles (past warranty) and very few below that. Of course there is the exception as I learned today. Individual is at 168,000 and is having third engine installed (own his own, valve explode and comes apart in engine, imagine how that feels) 2 under warranty, and now Chevrolet won't even talk to him, lawyer is involved (2008) model. Good luck all

- taylorte, Elmore, AL, US

problem #59

Jun 012014

Silverado

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

DO NOT purchase a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado unless you want to spend more time putting oil in the engine than you do driving the vehicle itself. I love Chevrolet Silverado's but I am extremely disappointed with this issue because there isn't a fix. Chevrolet dealers give you the run-around because they DO NOT have a solution. I really hope GM steps up and realizes the issue and comes up with a solution because adding quart(S) of oil right after an oil change is ridiculous.

- cpfeiffer0001, Louisville, KY, US

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