I bought this truck as a pre-owned vehicle from a reputable dealer in my area. It had around 19,500 miles on it when I bought it. I began noticing the issue with excessive loss of oil when the vehicle had around 25,000+/- miles on it. I had to add 2-3 quarts of oil approx. every 1000-1500 miles.

I took the vehicle to the local Chevy dealership (Spitzer Chevrolet) for another major issue (complaint to be filed) and asked the service manager to have his techs diagnose the oil issue as well. At that time the truck had 26,882 miles on it. I was told by the service manager (Clark) that I was losing oil due to the heads not being a proper fit to the engine block. He told me it was a manufacture defect in this engine. He said Chevrolet was aware of the issue but had not issued a recall on the part. Therefore if I had it fixed it would cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $2500-$4000. He also said because of the excessive oil loss, the pistons and rings would more than likely need replaced as well. I didn't have the money to have the oil issue fixed. I've just been adding oil as needed, which is all the time! It is completely unacceptable that a manufacture would have a working knowledge of a product they produce, but refuse to fix it. I'm dealing with another major issue with this engine that was supposedly fixed 2 years ago when I had them look into this oil problem. The complaint concerning that issue will be filed shortly.

Bought my 2010 Silverado 4WD with the 5.3, (used) and had it for about 15 months. I started noticing that every so often, I would have to add oil and I always kept up on the routine maintenance, but still had to add oil. After putting around 35K miles on it (which brought the mileage up to 104K), I went to start it one morning and it was acting like maybe a bad fuel filter (rough running and not getting enough fuel).

Took it to the dealership where I purchased it and the mechanic after an hour or so came out holding a couple of spark plugs. Claimed it was the #1 and #7 plugs and it appeared to be carbon up and fouled. Note: these plugs only had about 20K miles on them. Mechanic went on to say that they see this ALOT with the 5.3 and that the only true fix is to replace the rings and pistons which will cost somewhere near $4700. Now, when I had originally purchased this vehicle the salesman talked me into also getting an extended warranty - so, now (15 months later and in the garage) the mechanic explains to me that the extended warranty company may not cover this claim if after tearing the engine down to the point of failure and checking everything out, THEY determine that the problem is caused by carbon buildup, sludge, stuck piston rings or ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION.

Here's where my attitude went from calm to pretty sh*tty in a matter of minutes, the salesman sold me this extended warranty and claimed it covers EVERYTHING, now the mechanic who started out with the fact that they see this problem in the 5.3's ALL THE TIME, has just also informed me that said warranty is likely no good because of a clause in the contract. Mechanic went on to say that it would be necessary to tear the engine down (which could cost me $1500 if not covered) and at that point, if the warranty company decided not cover the repairs then I might as well go ahead and get it fixed - which could cost me $4700!!!!

Bottom line here is, Chevrolet has known about the 5.3 oil consumption issues for years and done NOTHING to correct it and these so called service contracts that cover "EVERYTHING" except engine problems caused by carbon buildup, sludge, stuck rings AND oil consumption - the average owner has no idea ANY of this is happening within their engine until it fails, therefore the contract companies get your money and then say "sorry, we can't help you". Thanks for the support Chevy! Had a Ford F-150 for about 10 years and put 206K miles on it before getting this truck - looks like I maybe going back to Ford.

I bought the truck with 35000 miles in 2013, with in 2 months had to replaced left front wheel hub an bearing an had a miss fire. Now after 100,000 miles an 2 coil pacts and 5 spark plugs i still have miss fire an heavy oil consumption. The local GM says I need new pistons an rings that will cost between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars to fix it. There has been a lot of problems with this motor.

Update from May 21, 2017: I have been in contact with GM an they say this is my problem. There is a service bullentin for this problem if still under warranty. There is a class action law suit against GM for the oil consumption in Minnesota.

My truck has used a lot of oil consistently and now the engine is chirping. No low oil light came on but my oil barely read on the dipstick and I had the oil professionally changed 3 weeks prior. Now after taking to a mechanic a CAM and looks free have to be replaced in the engine. I have tried to call Chevrolet regarding this and of course they deny covering any of this. Regular warranty expired due to age not miles and extended warranty won't cover this. We have done the homework and have seen complaint after complaint for this same thing and now there is a current lawsuit in Montana for this same problem. I'm not sure how Chevrolet can just ignore the problem.. when there are so many people with this same problem. $2,500 later out of our pockets it will be fixed.

So I have noticed after a 1st or 2nd time of taking and getting the oil changed that the service men would say that the oil was really low. I couldn't imagine why it would be 3 quarts low within 3000 miles. Doesn't makes sense. So I would have to check the oil every 500 miles and it is losing1/2 to 3/4 quart every 500 miles.. Ridicules!!! the engine begins to start a chirp noise which at first was thought to be a pulley / tensioner or belt because that's what it sounds like. So I take the truck to my mechanic who doesn't screw me over and is honest and has told me he has seen quite of few of these motors in is shop. He tells me it is the way that the AFM (Active fuel Management) system works and how it exhaust oil. He said the AFM lifters go bad and when that happens it damages the cam. So of course I need to fix this but WTF chevy. my truck doesn't even have 90,000 miles on it yet. I have heard that people are removing the AFM and VVT (Variable Valve Timing) and installing the old style cam and lifters and flashing their ECM. You have to buy the kit to replace all of the parts then have the computer reprogrammed to get rid of the AFM and VVT codes it will produce. So all in all one friggen expensive fix to a problem that Chevy should have taken care of and no before you ask my truck is over 5 years and under 100,00 miles so the drive train warranty will not fix it.. Total BS if you ask me. So thanks to chevy I am almost 2500.00 out of pocket and soon will become a new ford owner. I am so tired of getting the run around and GM not fixing the stupid EPA/Emission crap they dream up. Life long Chevy owner now has to convert to anything except Chevy which for me just plain sucks.

Truck has been in and out of the dealership 18 times regarding ticking in the motor, excessive oil consumption and blue smoke on start up. The ticking was fixed in January of 2015 after truck was out of warranty due to numerous un necessary oil consumption test and documentation and video of truck ticking loudly on cold start up. Truck had new limiters and cams installed under warranty even thought the truck was 4 thousand mikes out of warranty. The dealership left a valve seal off the motor after install the new valves and cams. I drove this truck for 5 days before noticing a softball size puddle of oil under my truck at s local grocery strode. I never had any oil leak in my garage in the concrete floor, I only noticed the oil after my fiancé say in the truck while I went into the store and left the truck running for her. Upon exiting the grocery store I noticed the softball size puddle of oil under my truck and upon lifting the hood there was oil all on the skid slate, control arms and all over the entire bottom engine compartment. The dipstick registered no oil showing and after putting in 4 quarts of oil I was able to limp to the dealership the flooring morning. Upon the dealership looking st my truck and determine they valve seal was never installed and that this was there fault it was fixed sever days later. After getting my truck back from the dealership I had blue smoke upon start up come out of the exhaust. This truck had never had any oil consumption issues or blue smoke upon start up until the valves and cams were replaced and the valve seal was left off of the motor. I have performed 4 oil consumption a test since will very test showing 2 quarts low at 1200 miles. The service manager and tech at Davis Chevrolet have said every time my truck has never been low on oil even with oil only showing on the bottom tip of the dipstick which I have video and photos of as I have been lied to every time and given the run around at this dealership since owing this truck. Upon further complaints and oil consumption test gm and the deals hip would give me a $1500 dollar good will certificate for a new chevy truck or I pay 40 percent of the repair cost for new pistons and rings that they are saying is causing my truck to use oil and cause blue smoke upon start up. This is a common issue with 5.3 engines from 2008-2010. Gm and the dealership are at fault and will not repair my vehicle that never used oil or had blue smoke at start up until the valve and cam swaps.

I had an oil change less than 3000 miles ago. I checked the oil level after the oil change and it was right where it should be. I was driving down the highway the other day and the check engine light came on. The oil pressure gauge dropped below the normal, vertical position. Note: the 'Check Oil' light never came on! I pulled into a gas station and checked the oil. Nothing was on the dipstick. Added a quart. Nothing. Added another quart. Nothing. I finally had oil appear on the dipstick after adding another 1/2 quart. (I ran the engine and checked the oil after each addition) It took 3 full quarts to bring it up to normal oil level. On the 'Oil Life Remaining' information panel it says 12%. So, less than 3000 miles and the truck needed 3 quarts of oil. Something is definitely wrong! I am going to look into this and report back.

Ok so I get the truck back at 5 pm on a Friday afternoon. I am told to drive 500 miles and bring it back so they can check the oil consumption which tells me they are not sure they actually fixed the problem. I drive about 50 miles and the dash says low oil, stop engine!!! Are you kidding me!!!! we limp back home and on Monday am I call the dealership and now I m pissed off. I actually ask for a regional manager and they give me the 1-866 Chevy customer service number. I tell them that I need it towed and I need a loaner. They say their one loaner truck is out but to bring it in anyway. I tell them absolutely not! I will not be inconvenienced any more or get stuck at the dealership (which is way out in the country). Tuesday am I call again and a service assistant manager states that wed am they will have a used truck from the lot with a dealer plate and loan it to me. Wed am I call and the story changed. They said they are sure it is just a gauge and I will be in a and out so no loaner is needed. I was told to bring it in right away but i refused unless they had a truck for me to drive. Then they said why do you need a truck? Seriously, now I have to explain why I want a vehicle to drive that is the same as the piece of sh*t one that is broken? UH NO WAY. I called Chevy and put in a claim and told them i don't want it back until this is settled. On Friday the dealership loaned me a truck and Chevy had it towed in. I have not heard back yet.

Ok, so this truck should be good right, I mean after all you pay 45,000 for a truck it should run with no problems for a while right? I guess that is no longer a Chevy concern, its really too bad American made products are such pieces of sh*t nowadays. So in end of March (after the truck being in the shop in Jan) the engine light comes on again with the service stabilitrack light as well , same symptoms, as many times before. I am finishing up my semester at school, and working a lot of overtime. SO I park the truck and pull out my mustang to drive until I can get the truck to the dealership. I finally have it towed into the dealership and they start by blaming me and accusing me of not doing routine oil changes. I said "are u kidding? I am a single mom, depend on my truck, and I paid 45,000 and owe nothing on this truck. I baby it and take very good care of it." after receiving the proof of maintenance, they are baffled as to why I have no oil yet again!! I had to get a ride home and back to the dealership which inconvenienced my friends. This time the solution was to change out the pistons. At this point I realize that they really don't know what the problem is and are just fixing the parts that are affected by the real culprit. They had the truck for a week.

At 33890 miles this truck started using oil. The dealer where I purchased the truck has performed all of the required maintenance. The truck is using up to 2 quarts of oil in between oil changes. I have the oil changed every 5000 miles and I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil. The dealer has performed the recommended fix under TSB01-06-01-011G. Per the TSB the accepted rate of oil consumption is 1 quart in 2000 miles. I do not use the vechile for a business, only personal use and most of the mileage is on the road. I do not tow a trailer or carry excessive loads in the truck . THE TRUCK FOULED A PLUG AT 46506 MILES. I have contacted GM Customer Relations and they are standing on the TSB that 1 quart every 2000 miles is acceptable and I do not have a problem. I feel that using this much oil is a problem. This has really turned me against buying another Chevrolet. I have owned Chevys in the past and had no problems. Maybe "Government Motors" GM has a problem with this engine ? Does anyone recommend a further course of action ?