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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.

9.7

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,500
Average Mileage:
105,700 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (4 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
2007 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments

problem #6

Mar 172014

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

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

Purchased the car in 2010 with 66,985 miles on it and always kept the vehicle serviced since we purchased it. Begin having problems with the oil pressure and taking it to the dealership but there were no problems found. Took a trip to Biloxi, MS and on the way back to Columbus, MS the oil pressure alert began to come on saying stop engine. Checked the engine oil pressure and engine was full. Took car to get check out and still no problems. A week after we got back, the stability light came on and engine shut down. Had it towed in to the dealership where purchased and was told it needed lifters and rings which is about a $5000.00 job. We couldn't afford that so we started to look for another vehicle and purchased one. We only had 11,000.00 left to pay on this car and had to go back into more debt to get a dependable car. We purchased a 2013 Surburban with and extended protection plan like we did with our old one. Hopefully this wont' happen again. We have a 2000 Chevy Tahoe and it is still running. Now do the math. There is a manufacturer defect with the 2007 Surburban vehicles and something needs to be done!!! I am retired and on a fixed income. There should be some type lawsuit on this.

Sincerely

Lilla Mitchell

- Lilla M., Columbus, MS, US

problem #5

Dec 272013

Suburban LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Had the engine oil consumption problem fixed, rebuilt top half of engine at 94k miles. Had 100k mile service after that. At 132k engine lights came on shut down engine now message came on. Had it towed to dealer where I was told the engine needed to be replaced, $6,000- $8,0000. Many calls and complaints to GM only told sorry for the inconvenience. Absolute BS!! I did every service that manual called for and spent tons of money adding 3-4 quarts of oil between oil changes.

- Jason R., Olmsted Falls, OH, US

problem #4

Oct 252013

Suburban LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Engine made a bang noise - all the lights on dash came on - horrible noise coming from engine after that. It was still able to drive.

Took it to mechanic - they stated they are seeing a lot of this in the '07 &'08's Suburban. Recommended replacing the ENGINE! New certified engine is $5000 plus service fees... used roughly $2500 plus service.

This should NOT be happening to an '07 with only 107K miles on it. This vehicle has been well taken care of!! I have owned Chevy's for the last 20 years - and the fact that GM will NOT replace the or help with the cost of this issue is disgusting to me.

I'm moving on Chevy - you have gotten too big for your britches..

- Lisa G., Greensboro, NC, US

problem #3

Dec 122012

Suburban LTZ 5.3L (Flex Fuel/Econo)

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

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

I am new to this site ... going to give a history before this catastrophic engine failure.

My wife drives this truck to haul our three kids around and we use it to travel to SC once per year for softball tournaments.

Truck purchased brand new July 2006 (1st of the new body styles to be sold at Pat O'Brien Chevrolet, Willoughby Hills, Ohio). Constant trips to dealer for "stabilitrac needs service" "throttle body needs cleaned". Constantly told that it is electrical relay problem and also mentioned problem inside drivers door causing it.

I change the oil with your standard Valvoline 5W30 every 2500 to 3000 miles. I use AC Delco or NAPA gold oil filters for every oil change. The truck is serviced better than most "family vehicles" on the road.

I started noticing that oil needed to be added between oil changes. Lifter tick alerted me. (No spots on driveway, No smoke when starting or driving). I Google searched oil loss and 2007 suburbans ........ excessive oil consumption was posted everywhere. Knowing this information I went to the dealer and explained the truck has been burning about 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Dealer tried to tell me that GM was saying it was normal oil consumption. I lost it tell the service manager that I have owned over 20 GM trucks and NEVER have had to add oil between oil changes. I also provided all of the complaints I was able to print off from my Google searches. The dealer then decided to rebuild the top half of the motor ... was told that there was a problem with the rings freezing up on the pistons after so many miles ....... the supposedly replaced rings pistons etc.. The oil consumption problem did stop however the stabilitrak alarms continued to be a problem.

This past Wednesday, driving 70MPH on Interstate 90, the truck "service stabiltrak" light came on and the truck immediately lost power and completely stalled. My wife was able to safely move the truck to the berm. When I arrived to diagnose the problem ........ BAD NEWS!

Truck was towed to Powerline Engine in Mentor. Diagnosis of timing chain failure. It looks like the tensioner on the timing chain failed. Bent push rods, damaged heads. The motor gets torn down tomorrow. I am assuming we will be replacing the cam and all other components.

I have been a General Motors person my entire life. (Father died in the Parma Ohio plant after 27 years of working for GM). I completely understand that a truck at 140K will start having problems; however, a catastrophic failure like this is unacceptable when you are dealing with a TRUCK that toughest job has been to haul 2 adults and 3 to 5 kids at once.

- George D W., Willoughby, OH, US

problem #2

Oct 112012

Suburban LTZ 5.4L Flex Fuel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

The engine is locked up. I had it towed to the dealership in Lebanon, MO the next morning. I have not heard any solutions other than to trade it in not running or for me to purchase a new engine.

- Jan C., Camdenton, MO, US

problem #1

Aug 142012

Suburban LS 4.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

Message on Board said "Motor Hot A/C Turned Off." Fan was running, temp gauge said 160. Had just started the truck - drove 1 mile to store, left store, went to start truck - wouldn't start, message appeared along with the Engine Light. Sat there a while, message went off, truck started, drove home, upon pulling in driveway it came back on.

- dmillerky, Fairdale, KY, US

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