7.3
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
39,194 miles
Total Complaints:
33 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (17 reports)
- nothing got resolved (8 reports)
- replaced cylinder heads (3 reports)
- replace engine (2 reports)
- should replace suv after too many failed attempts (2 reports)
- tappet cover replaced (1 reports)
engine problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2007 Chevrolet Suburban excessive oil consumption
2008Sep 18
Suburban LT 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 20,000 miles
This is my fifth suburban. I have never had to add oil between changes. Now at approximately 1200 miles I will be down 1 qrt. of oil. They have replaced a valve cover on the left side of the engine. This engine has about 42,000 miles on it now. The dealer has been excellent and has covered everything from oil to a rental car. It seems to use more oil at high speed then just driving around town. I think if they would get some press like Toyota is getting maybe Government Motors (GM) would get the message. The problem is it is not a safety issue.
2008Nov 01
Suburban
- Automatic transmission
- 20,000 miles
Every 3000 this vehicle burns 1 to 2 quarts of oil. What the crap? It's barely two yrs old. Junk!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 12
Suburban LS 5,3
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
I took my vehicle to the local dealer and the first time the told me that the oil filter was not on tight enough, so they changed the oil and charged me for another oil change. The next time this happened they said that they check everything again and they didn't see a problem. A week later the add engine oil light came on again and they said that they overlooked that there was a bulliten on the oil sensor. 2 weeks went by and the light came on again they added dye to see what was burning the oil, then it came on again and they changed the heads. Now I am past the warranty by 500 miles and the add engine oil light is on again. The dealer wasted my time and now what do I do just keep adding oil. This is crap!
2010Jan 01
Suburban LTZ
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I have treated this as a cost of owning the vehicle. At around 3k - the time for a oil change - the oil light comes on. I have never tried to have this "fixed" as I think more damage could be done in trying to fix it. at 70k, the truck runs great.
2006Oct 23
Suburban LTZ 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 8,391 miles
TWO QUARTS OF OIL LOSS IN 2000 MILES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, ASK THE EPA! I have a 2007 Suburban LTZ. I have documentation that confirms that the excessive oil consumption problem has been present in this vehicle since it rolled off the showroom floor. After I bought the truck, I too discovered that it was using oil and proceeded to the dealer for the infamous oil consumption test that the truck failed. I later discovered that GM has known about this oil consumption issue since at least April 2007 (Tech Service Bulletin 07-06-01-007). I contacted the warranty department in August of 2009 and was not given any resolve at all other than "we are still researching the issue for a fix". If we continue to "wait" for a fix they (GM) can just keep stringing us all on until the warranty is over. The BS explanation that the dealers have been selling to many of us about Oil consumption being acceptable would make a heck of a case with the EPA given our recent efforts to green-up and save the environment. I can certainly help with any automotive technical issues (35 yrs of self taught auto repair experience) we just need someone with the appropriate knowledge of how to institute and/or follow through on a class action. New truck, new motor, doesnt matter, just fix it!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 16
Suburban V8
- Automatic transmission
- 38,000 miles
Just as many have already posted... I took my truck back to the dealer (2nd for this issue, previously replaced the oil level sensor.) this time they put dye in the engine. Now, 1500 miles later... oil level sensor comes on and I am 2 quarts low. This is very annoying. I am taking it back next week... I called the GM customer service line... not alot of help but at least I did report the problem to someone besides the dealership and they put a "flag" on my VIN number. No sure what that means... if anything.
2007Aug 01
Suburban LTZ1500 V8
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
Ever since the truck was new and the oil consumption light would come on after approx 2000 miles and say add enging oil. the truck has been in the shop since purchase. the dealership has been very accommodating with the loaner cars but the time and trouble it takes to get the car there, swap everything out from one car to the other be late for work. I have searched for the resolution to this issue and there does not seem to be one. the dealer keeps telling me that the truck needed a gasket, oil plug, rods, sensor, and now pistons (which are on back order for 2 weeks). This last time the car was there for 4 days. I am calling GM to piss and moan about this.
I have a business selling and Servicing Fitness Equipment and if a customer has an ongoing issue dam right they want it replaced and I do it for them. try that with a car dealer and you get this is what you purchased and we have to keep trying to fix it.
2009Jun 03
Suburban 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 38,700 miles
It's using 1 qt every 2000 miles. I've had a 1997 Tahoe and a 2001 GMC Yukon, but this is the first one that I've had to keep oil on hand and check the oil frequently. I wonder if it is due to the thin oil that this vehicle requires. I believe my previous truck used more "conventional" grades.
2008Jan 01
Suburban LTZ V8
- Automatic transmission
- 8,000 miles
I have just discovered this website and have read other posts with regard to excessive oil consumption issues on the 2007 Suburban. We have been dealing with this problem since our car was relatively new and our problem is as similar to other posts. The dealership has tried 3 oil consumption tests and can't find the reason for the loss. There isn't any evidence at all and Chevy has told the dealer to replace different gaskets/valves to delay the inevitable need of a new engine. I have recently contacted Chevy customer service who has put a district specialist on our issue. I only hope they are able to bring about a satisfying end to this problem. On a recent trip our car went through 5.5 quarts in under 2000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 30
Suburban LTZ 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 47,000 miles
I am just starting the process that everyone else is describing- my Suburban is consuming at least 1 Qt every 2500 miles with the low oil light coming on with oil life at 60%- the dealer stated there are no leaks and they will start marking the dipstick so they can start the process with GM- I have been told that replacing valve covers is next, and then they will basically do everything except replace the engine in order for GM to avoid the $5000 new engine claim- do yourself a favor and google "like a knock"- this is an article that explains this known issue- my dealer has acknowledged that there are known cases out there and they also acknowledged that this can be a 6-12 month process to resolve!!!! Good luck
2008Sep 01
Suburban 54000 Vortec
- Automatic transmission
- 54,000 miles
Well like everyone else my vehicle uses 1 1/2 of oil every 2000miles. When I bring it in they say the study shows this is normal. Bull I'm used to GM snowing us. We had a Tahoe that they never could fix a front end problem. We sold that at a loss. But we thought it was the day the vehicle was built (Ha Ha). This is a 2007 and here we go again.
I have read about this problem and everyone says the same thing, till we sue them(gm)
they won't do anything about this problem.
We were told that engines were changed and still burning oil or using it somehow. Well all I do is Complain to GM. They don't make a consumer friendly environment. They will most likely be gone in a few years.
Just hope they don't kill you or me.
2008Dec 10
Suburban
- Automatic transmission
- 92,560 miles
I have to add 1 1/2 quarts every 2000 miles. The problem is getting worse, and the dealer says "that it is within GM guidelines". This is my 10th suburban and have never had this problem.
2009Sep 09
Suburban LT 5.3L V8 Flexfuel
- Automatic transmission
- 49,749 miles
I am totally tired of the run-around , this car has been the very worst experience i have ever had with an automobile.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Nov 02
Suburban LTZ 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
I purchased a used 2007 Suburban LTZ from a dealer in Holland, MI (Denooyer) with 47,000 miles and I currently have 61,000 miles on the vehicle. I have changed the oil three times now and before the second and third oil changes the oil level warning light came on. The engine uses 1.5 quarts every 2000 miles. I talked to the dealer and he said to bring the vehicle in every 500 miles to have the oil level checked and they will consider contacting GM about the problem. Because of the economy I plan to sell the vehicle, but I cannot with a clear conscience pass this problem on to the next guy. After reading all of the same experiences I am having, I believe a class action suit is the only way to fix the problem. If someone knows how to go about putting this together, please include me!
2008Jun 01
Suburban LTZ 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
MANY ATTEMPTS... OIL CONSUMPTION TEST Restarted 3 TIMES... AND A RUN AROUND, READ BLOG, Called SchneiderWallace.com/ClassActions . A lot of people that read this don't have the time to write their post.
If you are one of these people or have made a previous post please update your post. If you problem remains, please contact the above firm. The more calls they get the faster this will be pursued. The local dealer admits there is a problem. They told me they're to keep putting band aids on it. (keep adding oil) As soon as Chevy has a resolution we'll be the next to be notified.
Meanwhile, the effort to take it in for oil level checks and the stress caused by the lack of confidence has become unwarranted! The call to the firm will result in a couple of fast returned calls to verify vehicle information and their attorneys will use this information to see if further pursuit of the claim is worth pursuing. Please ring their phone off the hook!
2009Oct 19
Suburban LTZ
- Automatic transmission
- 47,000 miles
About 3 months ago I'm driving down the road and the low oil light comes on. This was about 5,000 miles since the last oil change. Put a quart in. At about 7,000 miles, low oil light again. So I take it to get the oil changed.
Now just yesterday - my wife and kids are driving back from California and she calls to say the low oil light is on. Mileage since last oil change? About 2,000! It's just like everyone says in these posts - 2,000 or so *is* the magic number. I am so completely bummed because the whole family love, love, loves our Suburban.
I really don't understand how a car - or truck - goes from using minimal oil to sucking it down fast! And yet, there's no apparent solution. If you find a fix that actually works, please post! Thank you!
2009Jan 15
Suburban 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
I have had 10 Chevy trucks but no more, next truck Ford or Toyota. Uses approx 1 quart oil per thousand miles . Replaced trans at 22,000 miles. I have heard that the worst day to have a vehicle made was on Monday when the assembly line workers were all hung over. The solution is to get a new engine. A 5.3 not the 4-8 engine, old engine didn't use oil.
2008Aug 18
Suburban LTZ
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
Valve job, two new heads and 4 qts of oil in between every oil change and still not fixed. All of a sudden GM tells me it's "NORMAL" for 1 qt of oil consumption per 1000 miles-BS.
2009Sep 04
Suburban LS V8
- Automatic transmission
- 39,000 miles
I wish I would have read these complaints prior to purchasing this Suburban 4 months ago used. First it was leaking oil, then transmission fluid, and how it is consuming 1.5 qts of oit every 2000 miles. I found out from a friend that he had the same issue, screwed around with the dealer for a year, and the dealer finally got him a new car. I really don't want to deal with this going forward. My dealer is tracking the issue and once we can report 3 incidents, then the GM rep will get involved. The dealer was tracking other 07 Suburban owners and they think it is a seal problem.
2007Jun 06
Suburban LT
- Automatic transmission
- 23,000 miles
Have had vehical in numerous times to dealership and they have tried to replace valve cover, lifter repairs, and still need to add oil every 1000k miles. GM didn't want to do anything to help since it was getting to end of warranty even though it started at 23K.
2009Sep 01
Suburban LS 5.3L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I'm at 60,000 miles. It had been using a quart every 2000. Now, the oil pressure gauge dropped to below 20 and light came on saying low oil pressure shut off engine. Dealership diagnosed a failing oil pressure switch, recommended replacing at a cost of $700. I took to my guy, he replaced it and the pcv valve. He let it run - no change. He hooked up another gauge to it. But, no change. Problem still there. Now, I need to go back to the dealership and explain they misdiagnosed it and they need to address the fact that this is within the powertrain (under the powertrain warranty).
2007Sep 10
Suburban LT 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 15,000 miles
Problem started after the 15000 mile service. I have had the car in several time for the "engine oil low" light being on. Every time the dealer says we can't find any leaks any where. So they put dye in the oil on my last oil change " I had to pay for the dye of course. $13.00" My oil level low light came on again when the car still read 62% oil life left. I checked the oil. It didn't even register on the dipstick. I added a quart. Took the car in today for them to check the oil and change it. They couldn't find any leaks and told me that it was within GM specs for this vehicle to consume a quart of oil every 2000 miles. and that my vehicle was a quart low. Mind you I just added a quart myself. This has been going on for over a year now and this is the first time they have told me about the specs for oil consumption. my 02 avalanche doesn't consume any oil and it has 140,000 miles on it. I guess they think we are stupid. However, most stupid people can't afford to drop $48,000 plus for a new vehicle. They wonder why they are failing as a company. Once you buy the car they don't stand behind it. I'm all for a class action suit.
2008Nov 28
Suburban LTZ V8
- Automatic transmission
- 33,000 miles
G.M should replace these vehicles with common engine problems. They don't know how to fix them and I have had mine in the garage on several occasions. Quit grasping at straws. FIx it know. Lemon, Lemon, Lemon.
2008Jun 03
Suburban LTZ 5.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
Is there any solution on the horizon for this oil consumption issue? I see many other people have posted the same problem, where the 2007 Suburban is drinking Oil like I drink beer WTF!! I have a few summer road trips coming up and really don't want to pack a case of oil...
2008Nov 01
Suburban LTZ 5.5L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 33,000 miles
Same story. Oil consumption that GM (Gov't Motors??) refuses to resolve. I personally feel that it's time for a class action suite.
2009May 21
Suburban LT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 36,000 miles
I have taken this car in repeatedly to our Chevy Dealer and every time they kept having me repeat the oil consumption test, the last time I took it in they promised to take the engine apart and try to determine the cause of the excessive oil consumption, (I am using about a quart every 500 miles) When I brought the car in, one of the service managers state that it may be as simple as a gasket needing to be replaced.
I am now very disappointed because I have started to research this problem and find it to be a common complaint and I now understand that my dealer has just been jerking me around for about a year. My next letter is to the consumer protection agency.
2009Jan 01
Suburban
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
It has now become clear that Chevy knows of this problem and has decided to give everyone the run around...obviously because they have no money to replace engines, which appears to be the only cure.
Everyone, start suing..how about a class action? We are now being told the standard response which must have come from headquarters "this oil consumption and rough idle are within normal standards" WHAT??? do they think we are idiots? a quart and a half of oil every 1000 miles..normal? engine idling so rough I throw it in neutral to keep it going. This was a damned expensive car...Tell everyone you know to NOT buy a Chevy...the company is obviously going in the tank.
2008Jun 13
Suburban LT 5.5L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
The problem is still not fixed after they took the engine apart and replaced the valve cover. I am trying to see if anyone else had this problem and what did GM do to fix it.
2008Feb 25
Suburban LTZ 5.3L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
My 2007 chevrolet suburban uses 1qt of oil every 2,000 miles. The dealer realized the problem and printed out a page from GM stating the oil consumption was within tolerance of specs.
Well, I stated, my old 1970 Cutlass 350 never burnt or used oil like this 2007. Nothing got resolved.
Does any one know who to get a hold of who will listen?
Update from Nov 19, 2009: My VEHICLE NOW HAS 56,000 and still consumes 1qt of oil every 1,500 to 1,800 miles
2008Jan 01
Suburban LT
- Automatic transmission
- 25,000 miles
My Suburban started to consume 1 quart of oil every 2,000 miles. GM said that this was within their specs at first, but after constantly going to the dealership and making THEM add oil, the GM rep approved the dealership to take apart the engine to diagnose the problem. They found that the cylinders were "knicked" and replaced the cylinder heads. I get the car back after two weeks and lo and behold, 2000 miles later the suburban is now consuming only 1/2 quart per 2,000 miles. I was told by the dealership to "start adding oil and it is within GM specs, so deal with it!". I was also told by the dealership that GM has not had any problems with Suburbans consuming oil! Isn't this interesting. I am currently in the process of contacting the GM rep and will call every day until someone decides that consuming oil is not NORMAL!!
2008Nov 14
Suburban LT3 5.3L
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
this has been lurking for a year, but it is my wife's car so I don't drive it as much. Intend to contact the dealer asap to get this investigated. The dealer has been great to work with in the past so I am hopeful that will be the case again
2008Apr 02
Suburban LTZ 5.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
4th suburban and we really like the large ride vehicle, despite $3.50 per gal gas. Engine began using oil following the 20,000 mile service (1 quart) and began slowly using more each service (synthetic oil changed per the service indicator notice averaging 9,000 to 10,000 miles). It used 3 quarts before the last service. Dealer first found a "service notice" stating some engines required valve seals to be defective. Once the heads were removed, dealer found defective rings as well. GM is replacing the engine currently and provided a loaner (2006 Escalade). Not sure we will keep the repaired vehicle as we have little confidence in the mechanical acumen of GM service techs... Has any one else had similar problem?
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 11
Suburban LTZ 5.3L
Same issue as eveyone else here and friends with same model. 07 Suburban, 5.3, started using oil at about 47000 miles. Now at 77000 miles. Uses a quart EVERY 1400 miles. Smokes a little at start-up, hardly noticeable. Dealer is looking into it. My 07 Duramax is doing the same thing. Heard the PCV valve could be causing it.
Gerald T.
Angier, NC, USA
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