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CarComplaints.com Notes: Engines shouldn't need a new quart of oil every 500-1000 miles, but for thousands of Suburban owners that's exactly what's happening. Engine oil consumption on aluminum block engines with Active Fuel Management (AFM) is out of control and owners are left looking for answers.

The most likely culprit is an uncovered AFM valve which, in many cases, can be covered under warranty. The problem is the issues don't stop there and many owners have been told by GM just to buy a new engine. Take one guess who they want to pick up the tab.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$410
Average Mileage:
65,000 miles
Total Complaints:
186 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (65 reports)
  2. nothing got resolved (53 reports)
  3. chevy needs to fix (27 reports)
  4. replace engine (15 reports)
  5. splash guard to be added in oil pan (5 reports)
  6. replaced cylinder heads (3 reports)
2007 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 5 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #106

Apr 062011

Suburban LT 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,523 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I initiated a complaint with GM in February and they gave a case manager and case number. In addition, they instructed me to return to the dealer each 500 miles for an oil consumption test. This must be done 12 times for a proper diagnosis...yaddi yaddi yaddah, because I've read the posts here and I see this gets you nowhere, but I play along. at 70744 we had the oil change done and started from there. By the time I reached 71880, I needed a quart of oil, which the dealer graciously added. by 72523, I needed another quart of oil, also added by dealer. I have my appointment today to have the testing done again. I will bet anyone that I need yet another quart of oil...that would make it 3 quarts of oil in under 3000 miles...and with the price of gasoline climbing, I am have tempted to trade in this lemon for a more reliable brand...more to come later.

Update from Jan 29, 2016: Well, we went for awhile without any oil consumption issues but, guess what?!?! THEY'RE BACK!! After GM replaced the top half of the engine, now with 136,000 miles the oil consumption is back. Down 4 quarts in 2,000 miles. Fords are looking a heck of a lot better right now :-(

- under a rock, Yardley, PA, US

problem #105

Dec 122011

Suburban LT 5.3L Flex Fuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

Not the first time this problem has occurred, just the first time I had it checked. Thought may have been shorted on oil put in during oil change the first time. Didn't return to that shop. This time, took to dealer where I bought new in Feb 07. They said there is a service bulletin that says they have to replace intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets. Now I got home and found this website. Dealership did not mention putting deflector in oil pan or anything about oil pan. I am still under standard warranty, but it will expire in Feb 12, and want this fixed before Feb. After seeing this site, I kind of feel like GM will probably try to drag me along until warranty is out and then I will be on my own. I think only possible way to be sure the problem is fixed is to replace engine. No engine with 46000 miles should be burning two quarts of oil between oil changes (51% oil life remaining). Any suggestions would be helpful.

Would be interested in class action if one is started.

- howditstart, Benton, MO, US

problem #104

Aug 292011

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I too am driver of a 2007 Suburban LT with 5.3 motor using excessive oil. I just took a trip of 548 miles and used a quart and 1/2 of oil. I have an appoinment for this problem so I will update once I hear back from the dealer. I also noticed when it sits overnight after a long drive the first start up of the day I get a large smoke cloud.

- tomopa, Munhall, PA, US

problem #103

Aug 242011

Suburban LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,922 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The pistons and rings were replaced in my car about 3 weeks ago. I checked the oil on Monday and I'm down 1 1/2 qts. I called the dealership and they said to bring it in so they could "record" the levels- which I did. They are telling me now that it can take 1000 miles for the rings to "set in". They topped off my oil and asked me to drive it for another 1000 miles and check the oil again.

I'm really getting tired of going back and forth to the dealership. As nice and kind as they are, it's becoming a huge inconvenience. UGH

- Michelle R., Gilbert, AZ, US

problem #102

May 012009

Suburban

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

I thought I was alone with my 2007 Suburban oil consumption problem. The dealer has tried multiple times to fix this problem, lying and telling me GM is fabricating a part to resolve this problem, that I have now contacted a lemon law attorney. Wish me luck!

- Shelley S., Garden Grove, CA, US

problem #101

Aug 152010

Suburban Z71 5.3L Flexfuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I to have a 2007 Suburban with the 5.3 flex fuel engine that uses excessive amounts of oil. The engine doesn't smoke or leak it just somehow is using it up. It started at about 50,000 miles and needing at least 1 quart of oil in-between changes (3000 miles) and now it takes 2 quarts in-between oil changes the engine now has 115000 miles and is of course out of warranty. Now it seem to be losing oil pressure at least that is what the gauge says, it even displayed on the digital dash to "shut engine off now" once when the oil pressure dropped. Not sure what the next step is but for the money paid when purchased new this is very disappointing. This is my first new GM product and I can say it will be my last if GM is not cooperative to help correct the problem.

- toucanss, Park City, UT, US

problem #100

Mar 312011

Suburban LTZ 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We purchased our car used from a dealer. I have been a Chevy owner on and off all of my life. My entire family has Suburbans but no one has had this problem but me. I am researching this site to see who else is experiencing this issue and it seems like a whole lot of people are having oil consumption problems. I will be talking to my dealer shortly and let you know how it goes. Right now I am adding oil to the engine at least every 1000 miles. I am documenting the mileage, date, and amount of oil added to hopefully provide enough ammunition to get this fixed the first time.

- jbowersco, Castle Rock, CO, US

problem #99

Dec 072008

Suburban V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

TIRED OF COMPLAINING ABOUT THE OIL USAGE, HAVE 207K NOW AND NO RESOLUTION WAS ALWAYS HAPPY WITH GM BUT NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE CONSIDERING A NEW AUTO MAKER.

- Joe T., Fargo, ND, US

problem #98

Jul 052011

Suburban Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Added oil spray guard to combat the oil consumption - 2k miles later it's back for for pistons & lifters. all covered under warranty. I think they (GM) should extend the warranty for all of us with this problem

- cincydeck, Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #97

Jun 012011

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Add oil light came on 2,500 miles into an oil change that's supposed to be good for 5,000 miles- I checked the oil and it barely registered on the dip stick- took it to my normal repair shop and it was about 3 quarts low- the technician did some research and found that this problem is A FACTORY DEFECT from GM- but because it isn't a safety issue they will not do a recall- the technician told me the basic steps to fix the car and basically told me to take it to dealer because of the extremity of the steps to repair the vehicle- basically what happens is the valve in the oil pan is sucking oil into your entire intake system and ultimately ends up in the catalytic converters where it builds up to point of clogging the system- this was Friday on Monday the chevy placed changed the oil again( after being done Friday) and we have to take it back every 1,000 miles let dealer check the oil- so far we are on our first 1,000 mile check and they say we haven't used any oil ;) wink wink

- Jennifer B., Granite Falls, NC, US

problem #96

Jul 012011

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was shocked when the dealer told me that 1 qt of oil / 2,000 miles was acceptable. I found it to be totally ludicrous and unacceptable. It was immediatly apparent that there was a serious design flaw with this engine and Chevy knew it, but doesn't want to correct it unless forced into it. Shortly after the problem got worse and I was going through 1 1/2 qts of oil every 1,300 miles, it was amazing that all of a sudden the same dealer who told me about the acceptable oil cunsumption now tells me yes there is a problem, this is what it is and this is the fix for it. I just love American car companies!!!!

- William M., Buzzards Bay, MA, US

problem #95

Feb 232010

Suburban

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,160 miles

We purchased our suburban new in 2006, and around 40K miles it began to consume oil at an increasing rate between 3000 mile changes. It eventually began to sound like it was idling high when we started it. We mentioned the oil consumption every time we brought it in for an oil change but were told this was normal. We started it one morning and it filled our garage with white smoke. When we brought it to the dealer they had the same experience to which they said was a good thing, because had that not happened they wouldn’t have known what to look for. They then found a crack in the engine block and replaced the engine.

Now at 70K miles (old plus new engine) it are starting to consume oil again and hearing the same high idling sound…. They are looking at it today…

- Jeff M., St Michael, MN, US

problem #94

Jan 012008

Suburban LX V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

My sons gave me this with about 35K miles on it and I noticed that at every oil change (3500) it would be down a quart of oil. When ever I had service wk done I would mention to the dealership and they would say that it was normal. I got to using a quart every 17-1800 miles and gm agreed to do an oil consumption test and at 7/26/10 they replaced the lifters and gaskets the miles were 90187. When I went back for other service and now the mileage was 93254 I told them that I had used 1 1/2 quarts in the last 2200 miles but they did not address the problem and like a dummy i did not push the issue. My surburban now has 107k and I went back and told them that it had just used 1 quart in the last 919 miles and now I am on a 2nd oil consumption test. The car never smokes and does not leak, the date now is 11/11/11 and I will post what ever happens, My wife also has same 2007 surburban and has 60k miles and it is starting to use oil also.

- Bob D., Sunnyvale, TX, US

problem #93

Jun 092011

Suburban LT V8 Flex Fuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

I'm the second owner of this vehicle and I'm confident why the first owner got rid of it. Apparently before I purchased it, the first round of maintenance (a very simple, and irrelevant cleansing) to fix the consumption problem had taken place, but the dealership withheld that information and made me complain for 5 mos about the excessive oil usage before disclosing it to me. They handed me the service bulletin from GM that states a quart of oil for every 100 gallons of fuel is normal!!!!!!!!!! (so for my 15 mpg suburban, that's 3 1/3 quarts every 5000 miles) I told them that only a fool would accept that. So, I was informed that the second round of maintenance was to replace the oil rings; so they did and I'm 500 miles in and looking forward to seeing if it worked. After this maintenance is performed, I have 12 mos or 12K miles to see if it took. If not, the dealer said they would replace the engine... These are the recommended fixes for this problem just in case you need to inform your mechanic. GM is obviously aware of this issue, but decides to hide behind a ridiculous service bulletin.

- tunc, Rock Hill, SC, US

problem #92

Nov 112010

Suburban LT 5.3L 8 cyl 4a

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

When I first used the car it started having electrical problems, the battery would go dead, so I have had to change it two or three times. Then I noticed our suburban started consuming 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles. The dealer said it was a bad oil sump pump. What he explained was that the oil sump pump had stopped working, the oil wasn't getting in, or out of the engine when it was needed, so the oil is being consumed by the high heat.

The fix was to change the pump, but after that he advised me that Chevrolet had a recall notice for this defect. I would need to bring it back for oil check every 500 miles.

At around 1000 miles I still get an add engine oil warning. The last time I went a new service advisor told me Chevy had put out a bulletin that the engines in the suburban burn that much oil. I have to drive 170 miles to this dealership and they care not about my problem.

- John B., Mendocino, CA, US

problem #91

Sep 212011

Suburban LS 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Just like the others this started early on. I thought it was the mechanics shorting the amount of oil but it kept on happening. I'm having a oh oh moment.

- magic rat, Green Bay, WI, US

problem #90

Dec 172010

Suburban Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,252 miles

engine burns oil!!!!! I bought this truck from dealer used in the end of 2010 and within 1 month the oil light came on so i assumed that maybe the dealer didn't quite fill it all the way when they did oil change before i bought it. So I added a quart and changed the oil the next weekend. About 1300 miles latter the oil light came on again so i checked and it was 1.5 quarts low! so i took it in to the dealer and 1st they said that some of the 07s had problems with this and they would take a look. anyway i have been back 4 times and they don't know whats wrong and now i found out that they have known about this problem since before 08 so why was there no full disclosure when i bought in 2010????? and why didn't they perform these so called bulletins before selling it to me???? i have always stood behind chevy but this is ridiculous. i want a new engine or my money back!!!!!!! if i don't get it I'm thinking about suing!!!

- Brian S., Seattle, WA, US

problem #89

May 012011

Suburban

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption

Oil consumption problem probably started before I've purchased it. The Suburban already had close to 40K miles, but was already consuming oil after we drove it for a few weeks. Like many others, we didn't think much of it. We didn't realize this was an ongoing problem with this 2007 engine model until we did a little online research. Just simply type in "2007 Suburban oil consumption" and boom! I am the 2nd owner and guess that's why the first owner got rid of it. Luckily it's still under warranty. However, the problem still persist with NO resolution in sight. I may call the local news agency in the DFW area for help.

Please call GM customer service if you have the same problem 866-790-5600. Please email me at perfusionphil@gmail.com if you've found a fix so I can relay it to my local Chevy dealer. They tried putting oil deflector and did an engine clean, but like I told them, that didn't work. We are dropping it off next week and I can't to see what's next on the plate. I'll keep you guys posted.

- phil n, Arlington, TX, US

problem #88

Mar 012009

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

What else is new! I was just driving to work today and my engine light came on and my oil gauge was spiking up and down and heard the lifters making a ticking noise. I have been adding oil just as many of you spoke of....Every 1000 or so miles. It's really annoying! This is a 50+ thousand dollar pos!! I had it towed to a local mechanic and I'll just have to see what he says. I'm sure I will have the same luck and nothing will be resolved. Lets see how much its gonna cost now!! Hopefully I will get a good answer/fix and I will keep you all posted and let you know if the problem persists.

- jayrul2573, Mastic, NY, US

problem #87

Oct 062009

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

Started adding oil between changes 2 years or more. I was using synthetic and that was getting expensive. Switched back to regular oil but over time adding oil between changes was a regular thing. Service technician said oil consumption was normal but he gave me an oil log to keep track anyway. In the last 7600 miles I have added 8 quarts. My next step is to see if they think it is still normal. We all know it isn't.

- Dennis C., La Grande, OR, US

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