8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,500
Average Mileage:
71,400 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (10 reports)
  2. fix or delete the afm in the motor (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

problem #11

Apr 012022

Silverado 1500 LT1 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,865 miles

At 70,865 miles I had engine oil low come on. I was thinking I put a rock or something into the oil pan but checked and found nothing. Found no oil leak on engine at all. Had to add 3 quarts of oil to get back to full. When to mechanic and he told me about the issue that GM has with the 5.3L engine and oil consumption. He told me it was because of Active Fuel Management system. We had done our own oil consumption test as follows: at 73,170 miles had to add 1 1/2 quarts of oil, and at 73,670 miles had to add 1/2 qt. of oil, at 74170 add to add 1/2 qt. of oil.

So, it appears that at 500 miles of driving I'm going through 1/2 qt. of oil.

Talked with local Chevy dealer and was told that my vin number isn't covered and that any work to be perform had to be paid my me and that GM would not cover any cost. Was also told that the cost could be in the 10's of thousands of dollars.

This issue could have been going on for years but didn't know about it until the engine low oil light came on.

- Tim G., Camden Wyoming, US

problem #10

Feb 052020

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

I've trusted the Chevrolet Silverado for over 20 years but this sucks, GM needs to get a resolution.

- Manny M., San Juan, US

problem #9

Jan 312020

Silverado 1500 LT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 141,000 miles

My truck is using 2 quarts of oil every 5000 miles.

I am not showing any smoke blowing or any oil spots in my driveway.

- kdarsey, Montegut, US

problem #8

Apr 072018

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,521 miles

So I'm not alone in my new found mission to alert people to the terrible design GM has propagated to us consumers - it is called AFM for Active Fuel Management. It shuts down 4 cylinders at cruising speeds so the fuel economy requirements (CAFE) can be met. In my case and in hundreds and thousands of others, the AFM system ends up causing the engine to burn excessive amounts of oil. The cause is hard to identify, however, I think mine ended up with damage to the number 7 cylinder. I had approx. 44,500 miles on my truck when I went to change the oil. When I dumped it, I found that I was 2 quarts low, something that I had never seen before. Then, out of the blue, my wife is driving my truck and she tells me that the check engine light has come on and the engine is running very rough. I pull the code and it is a misfire on cylinder 7. I pull the plug and it is covered in oil and all fouled up. I change the plug and the engine is back to normal. After about 10,000 miles and an oil change where I was 2 quarts low again, I pulled the plug and the thing was fouled and full of oil. So I called GM since it was still under warranty. I searched and found a service bulletin that was related to my problem and showed pictures of what my plug looked like but my efforts fell on deaf ears. The agent proceeded to tell me that my VIN wasn't included in the service bulletin. Did she search for other bulletins - NO! Two months later, I found an almost identical service bulletin on the internet that didn't call out VIN's but rather engine codes of which mine was listed. I went back to the GM hotline and was then told they would open a case. They did and got back to me within a week. "I'm sorry sir but your vehicle does seem to meet the requirements of the service bulletin, unfortunately, your warranty just ended. Long story short, GM screwed me but in the end, offered me customer loyalty cash to trade it in. I only hope that I wasn't a fool to think the new engine design was better and the problem eliminated. That remains to be seen.

- Bob D., Madison, US

problem #7

Aug 012014

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

Been a ford fan for years, too many issues and over priced. Tried a Chevrolet, and now what a joke.

They advertise as being the most dependable truck on the road? Really!!! I work long hours and very hard to make payments on an overpriced vehicle. I can't afford to support my family and make outrageous payments, and buy a new engine. MAKE IT RIGHT!!!!!

- aggrivated, MAYSVILLE,, US

problem #6

Jan 042017

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

My issue here is not with the original engine. That one blew a rod at 70k miles and was replaced with a factory new block that I have now. Between every oil change my service engine light comes on and I smell burning oil. When I look at the dip stick I realize why, its short two qts of oil. This last oil change I put in three quarts of oil. Two weeks ago I put in two quarts and yesterday my service engine light came on. Im low oil again. These fuel management engines are junk. I've owned 5 GM trucks and this one is Junk. Going to the Dealership Monday to get the oil changed and they are going to run an oil consumption test on it. Don't know where we go from there.

- Harold U., Williamsport, US

problem #5

Nov 012016

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

My pickup guzzles oil. When I took it to the Dealer they said they were aware of the problem. They said they had three band-aide solutions to try and if that did not work they replace the engine. They said that the problem has to be verified by a consumption test requiring me to drive 45 minutes to the Dealer, wait my turn, get the test and return at intervals to test again. They also said that my warranty had expired so I would have to buy an extended warranty($2,000-which I did) to cover it.

My complaint is that I purchased this pickup new and never received any recall or notice of any kind to let me know of this issue so I could deal with it before my warranty expired. I have used the prescribed oil and had the oil changed every 5,000 miles. On this current oil change alone I have used nearly 2 quarts in the first 1500 miles! I bought this truck based on the advertising that they were the best built and longest lasting trucks with the best gas mileage. I average 14.8 miles per gallon and use 3-4 quarts per oil change. I think they need to change my engine and reimburse me for the extended warranty I had to purchase to cover a [problem they knew existed.

- Jim D., Wimberley, US

problem #4

Jul 092014

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The AFM MOTOR from Chevy is consuming oil. I wondering why some people are offered to get it fixed for free and others have to pay. This should be recalled.

- Damaris V., North Pole, AK, US

problem #3

Dec 082015

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

My 2013 Silverado Z71 shouldn't be consuming 3qt of oil between oil changes.

- John B., Chester, MA, US

problem #2

Jan 012016

Silverado 1500 LS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I bought another 5.3 engine from Chevy hoping they had fixed the oil consumption problem. I have had it in 3 times in last 3 month doing oil consumption testing. I was told if it failed the test they would be replacing the piston rings, but now they are saying they have to follow protocol and replace the rocker arms and head gasket first. Then I have to continue doing oil consumption tests and then they might replace the piston rings. I feel I have been run thru the ringer on this. Chevy needs to stand behind their product and their word. If they say they will replace piston rings, then replace the piston rings. If this has been a problem since 2007 like I have been reading, why is there not a recall on this?

- cyndiw3729, Becker, US

problem #1

Oct 152013

Silverado 1500 Crew Cab V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

Before I had 7,000 miles on the vehicle, I had a problem with oil consumption. I have been given excuse after excuse....finally an oil consumption test which resulted in the usual excuse "2" quarts is within reason for 7,000 miles. In ignorance, I continued to believe Chevrolet would correct the problem. I have screwed around and

the bumper to bumper warranty is "no longer." Two calls to customer service...nothing! After today's visit to the, dealership and a pursuit of someone with authority in the service department there was a decision by someone

to put a baffle in the oil pan! Personally, this is another attempt to appease a customer for the moment.

In two weeks, they will put the baffle in, and it will not solve the problem in my little red "Lemon."

- maybe, Newport, TN, US