7.6
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $410
- Average Mileage:
- 65,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 186 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (65 reports)
- nothing got resolved (53 reports)
- chevy needs to fix (27 reports)
- replace engine (15 reports)
- splash guard to be added in oil pan (5 reports)
- replaced cylinder heads (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
ENGINE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND USING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL (1 QUART EVERY 1-2 WEEKS). THE MANUFACTURER BUILT BAD MOTORS IN 2007 AND KNOWINGLY COVERED IT UP. THE VEHICLES WERE STILL SOLD TO CONSUMERS AND RATHER THAN FIXING THE ISSUE (ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED) THE MANUFACTURER IS PLACING ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND COST ($9,000 FIX) ON THE CONSUMER, EVEN WHEN REPORTED BEFORE 100,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWINGLY SOLD LEMON VEHICLES AND REFUSES TO FIX.
- Eric H., Makanda, IL, US
My 2007 Chevy Suburban eats oil like crazy. Changed my oil 2 weeks ago, went on a 4 day trip and now my oil is 2+ quarts low. Drove about 1500 miles in total. This is ridiculous to say the least. I shouldn't have to be carrying around tons of extra oil with me to make sure my engine doesn't die. There seems to be numerous attempts of fixes but nothing is getting done, Chevrolet needs to make this right to their consumers.
- Peter S., Wenatchee, US
Bought this vehicle new and have taken care of it well (I have had about a dozen chevys over the years with very few major problems below 200k mile). About 2-3 years ago with about 150k miles, it started losing oil. I didn't see any leaks or spots on the driveway nor any black smoke from exhaust. Got to the point of having to add about 1 quart every 1000 miles. I mentioned this to a friend at the chevy dealership and he said it is a known problem with 2007 5.3L engines with AFM (Active Fuel Management) systems. He looked it up and said there were no recalls or notices with my vin. He said it was pricey to fix or I can just keep an eye on the oil and add as needed. I did that for about 2 years and never let the oil get low and changing it every 5000 miles. A month ago, it starts running very rough. Local mechanic that I have used for 15 years changes plugs and wires. That doesn't help so he runs further tests and says the #7 cylinder has compression issue. I contact the local chevy dealer service department and ask about this issue and they say they don't know of any. They suggest I run an oil consumption test, which could take a few weeks. I tell them it is running rough and that running the vehicle could make the engine worse. They said that is where they would have to start. Looking for anyone that has had a similar problem and what was the outcome. Thanks.
- Frank M., Columbia, US
I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE ONLY 6 MONTHS AND THE OIL HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THE ENTIRE TIME. TO GO THROUGH FIXING IT ACCORDING TO GM BULLETIN AND NOW ACCORDING TO GM I NEED TO REPLACE PISTONS, RINGS, ETC AT THE SUM OF $4000.00
- Christina H., Coeurdalene, US
Check out our engine failure complaint. Crap car...
- Paulette H., Highland, US
1 month of driving is equal to 2-3 quarts of oil consumption.
- Matt L., Bridgeport, CT, US
My 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, engine is a 5.3 L - V8. Starting at 75,000 miles on my suburban, it is using 1 quart of oil between 800 - 1,000 miles. Where is the oil going. I Chevrolet service department employee told me that the 2007 Suburban's had a different motor in them and every 2007 has this problem and Chevrolet - GM did change some things on the engines of newer suburban's.
- Kim N., East Grand Forks, MN, US
I have been dealing with the Stabilitrack, Traction Control and oil consumption for about the last 5 years estimated 50Kmiles the first time. Everytime I bring it in I get work done that is diagnosed and it does not fix problem. Then after a few times we ended up having cylinder heads done three times. The last time was 23K miles ago. Same cylinder head clogged. #2
I have serviced it at McConnell Chevrolet where they have done all my work and have insisted that "Chevys burn oil its normal". Typically two weeks after an oil change I add a quart of oil or two. Had the car towed because Stabilitrak light, traction control and Stop engine light came on. They said the oil sensor was bad. So they replaced and then called me and said the suburban is not holding oil pressure. Can anyone help? I feel like we have never solved this issue and Chevy really has no idea and just strings us along.
- Deanne F., Windsor, CA, US
Noticed the problem after purchasing the vehicle used with around 78000 miles. Purchased from a dealer, so after having the car home for about a week the "add engine oil light can on", it was down a quart, thought it was a fluke. Changed the oil and reset oil life monitor at the dealership I bought it from. Planned on changing the oil every 5K regardless of the oil life remaining calculation on the DIC. Without fail the "add engine oil light" would come on well before the oil was going to be changed, always down a quart. This seemed to vary by what type of driving was being done, town or hwy. The car now has 118000 miles on it and since I have owned it, it burns about a quart every 1500-2500 miles. I know there are a few band-aid fixes and you can replace the engine only to have the problem return. We will just keep adding oil, and changing every 3k until Chevrolet realizes there is an issue that can not be fixed, as it is a design flaw, until the design is changed. I wish they would step up and fix the issue free of charge with a recall and reimburse it's customers for the excessive oil and filters it needs to maintain this vehicle. This is our second suburban and our last, unless they correct there error.
Update from Feb 9, 2017: Well at 119,224 miles I noticed a few small spots of oil on my garage floor. I took it in and found I had a rear seal leak. I have the extended warranty on this vehicle so it was fixed, $1100.00 shop bill covered. A week later (119,669 miles) I found I still had small spots of oil on my garage floor. Took it back in, found I had another leak by the engine oil pan gasket, covered by warranty $900.00. I now have driven it 3000 miles since the fix and I have not lost any oil, not even one dot down on the dipstick.
The only thing I can think of is while I was driving and the oil was hot it would leak from the areas above, and eventually it just got worse. I did not however at anytime have oil spots in my garage until just recently at 119K. This seems to have fixed my issue. No other fixes had been attempted prior to this. I also had the plugs and wires replaced and no plugs were "fouled up" or had any signs of oil.
- Ryan G., Tripoli, IA, US
Chevy needs to pay attention to the many customers who are reporting this and do a recall. Last Chevy/GMC we will ever own.
- mlroetto, Nampa, ID, US
After investing $50k this car is a peace of sh*t, Chevy has heard the issues and they don't anything about it.
Its all about the money and fast production, Take responsibility and recall all the car that have this issue
- Elizabeth C., Pembroke Pines, FL, US
2007 Chevy suburban Ltz purchased in 2008 with approx. 27,000 miles. I do my own oil changes and noticed after my first change that the vehicle was using excessive oil. At that time it was necessary to add a quart every 1000 miles and now I find with 120,000 miles on the vehicle I check the oil weekly and add 3 quarts between changes. Using synthetic oil this gets rather expensive. I can see from this and other websites that this is a wide spread problem that should be addressed by GM but, not surprisingly , they have chosen to disregard. I can honestly say that we have enjoyed the vehicle but I would never purchase another GM product again because of their lack of any acknowledgement and resolution to this issue.
- Mike G., Northport, NY, US
I did not know about the complaint website. But the engine has used a lot of oil sinse I purchase it in 2007
- Donnie D., Conley, GA, US
I have had this vehicle into GM with this issue at least 3 times. Once at about 35,000 miles, again at about 50,000 miles, and again at about 70,000 miles. I gave up as they told me they would not replace the engine. I have been a loyal GM owner for 34 years. I haven't ever had an engine start using oil like this until it was leaking it or had over 100,000 miles. Something is wrong and GM should do something about it.
- hnewcomb, Shawnee, KS, US
Continues to burn oil every 1,000 or so miles. The only oil that I went 3,000 miles without the Low Oil warning was Valvoline High Mileage??! Not sure if that is a fix or not but I keep a spare qt of oil in the truck as a just in case.
Update from May 12, 2016: Went in to complete the 1,000 mile oil consumption test. Dealership discovered that my oil pan gasket was leaking. Been one day. will update in a few.
- pmouledo, Metairie, LA, US
The engine burns through oil before it is time for another oil change and we only drive back and forth to work about 20 miles per day!!! We must have oil on hand at all times!!!! This is ridiculous! Certainly not worth the money you pay for the SUV! Why hasn't the manufacturer fixed this problem????? Or reimbursed us for all of the extra oil this SUV burns!!! I believe this consistent issue is tarnishing Suburbans image!!! We will not purchase another Suburban after all of the oil and electrical issues this one has had!
- Sandra H., Mechanicsburg, PA, US
Spend a lot of money on a American car and all we get is the big run around bullshit. Lockhart automotive group is not good for repairs or help, they just take your money. I like the size of the truck but not the issue of adding three quarts of oil every month. I will probably buy a Ford or something else.
- racerbrown59, Fishers, IN, US
I bought this vehicle because I own an older Suburban and loved it. The guy I bought from said the oil consumption had been fixed. Well what a lie. I started having problems soon after now its to the point I add a 1qt of oil if drive 200 miles, its crap. I know it has lots of miles but my older Suburban had over 200k and not drop. I want Chevy to step up and fix the problem.
- Alex P., LEBANON, OR, US
So I was lucky the FIRST time. The engine was still under warranty at 74,000 miles & was replaced. I had to go in 3 times because the oil just kept disappearing. Finally after the 3rd visit, they replaced the engine, with a rebuilt engine.
That was at 4 years @ 74,000 miles.
Now almost exactly at 4 years @ 75,000 miles the engine blew a whole in the engine block.
I guess we call it the 75,000 mile engine.
I have contacted GMC & I'm waiting for a response. It's $6600 to put in a rebuilt engine & the blue book is around $9,000 to $10,000
- craigrp, Englewood, CO, US
I am only one of many who experienced high oil consumption on my 2007 Suburban 5.3 engine. I only drive it about 2,000 miles a year now but it uses 1 quart of oil every 5-600 miles now. Has 63,000 miles total. Does not leak oil and does not smoke oil - not sure what happens to it. Except for new engine installation, I have seen no fixes that worked and many owners made many trips to the dealer resulting in grief and time wasted. I read a lot of posts of this non fixable problem so except for telling the dealer, who said they were not aware of the problem (I think a lie) I did not address the problem further. I normally give my old car to a family member except this one. I will trade it in next year for a 2020 Lincoln Navigator. GM knew of the problem for years but never addressed it. It is a shame as I have had no other problems with it. Hey, I started with a Ford Model A but had mostly GM during my life and I guess will end with a Ford product - Lincoln Navigator.
- Larry A., Jerome, AZ, US