The 5.3 vortec engine lifters collapse took to dealer fixed for 1000.00 dollars drove 30 miles home from dealership started ticking again dealer ship fixed it said it was another side lifter that went easter weekend no vehicle now again here 1 year later another ticking well maintained oil changes every 3 to 4ooo miles synthetic oil when is chevy going to exept responsiabilty for bad engines class act suit 50 years old chevy my whole life might have to look someplace else.
2008 Chevrolet Avalanche engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet avalanche. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road, turned off, and was restarted after a few minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the oil pressure sensor and the oil screen. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who replaced the oil pump and advised the contact not to waste any more money on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and recommended a diagnostic evaluation of the vehicle and also stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000. The VIN was not provided. The consumer stated the issue was the malfunction of the active fuel management system and/or the valve lifter oil manifold assembly on the general motor's 5.3 litre engine from 2007-2010. The vlom was bolted to the top of the engine valley, below the intake manifold assembly. The vlom consisted of four electrically operated normally closed solenoids. Each solenoid controlled the application of engine oil pressure on the intake and exhaust valve filters on the cylinders selected to deactivate. When the assembly fails, oil is not distributed properly through chambers. The consumer experienced reduced power in the middle of the freeway after receiving a no oil pressure alert on the dashboard. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, where it was recommended the engine be replaced. Updated 12/07/15.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet avalanche. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately one month later, the check engine warning indicator illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the camshaft and the lifters on the front passenger side needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Updated 09/21/15*lj updated 03/29/16. *jb updated 12/06/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet avalanche. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil, which caused the check engine light to illuminate and smoke to come out of the tail pipe. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet avalanche. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud clunking noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. In addition, the oil gauge fluctuated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle by replenishing the oil. The dealer diagnosed that the oil valve control manifold failed. As a result, the camshaft and lifters could not receive proper lubrication from the oil, causing the vehicle to stall. The technician replaced the oil valve control manifold, eight lifters, heads, water pump, camshaft, and timing cover. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 48,436. Updated 10/30/14*lj updated 4/27/2015
At 73000 miles transmission broke just a few months out of warranty. Also started experiencing excessive oil consumption and noisy engine. Have heard and read too many reports of people with the 5.3 liter having major mechanical problems I.e. Camshaft lifters piston rings and valves all going bad.
Excessive oil consumption. Initial problem occurred on february 11, 2014 and gm dealer did some initial work, but the problem was not fixed. On april 27, the engine began running very, very rough and several lights came on (engine light, traction light, stabilitrac light and there may have been others). I immediately pulled over, checked the oil level found it was 1.5 quarts low, so I added oil and started engine again. So I had vehicle towed to my gm dealer. The next week, the dealer said they were looking into the problem. Finally the week of may 5, they said they would need to replace pistons, rings, lifters and I don't remember the entire list. I asked what was this going to cost and who would be paying for the work. Service manager told me the total would be in the $4500 range, but he would check with gm to see if they would pay part of this. Next day service manager said gm would pay for all except a $500 "warranty deductible". My receipt shows they replaced one piston, the camshaft, 16 lifters, lifter guides, the manifold, a sensor, 8 spark plugs, added 6 quarts oil, installed oil filter, recharged A/C system and charged for numerous gaskets, nuts and bolts. The dealer told me that the reason for the problem was due to the fact that my engine was made in mexico. They said they used parts manufactured in canada on my repair work. I have read on the internet that this excessive oil consumption problem with this engine is not new - it has been reported to gm for several years. Why didn't gm stop using engines manufactured in mexico before 2008 if in fact this is the main reason for this problem. They should have been proactive to prevent this widespread problem and causing their customers to pay needlessly for repairs that gm should have paid for in total - or replaced this engine totally!
There is an issue with moisture. First incident occurred in snow. Traveling around 55 MPH when I hit a patch of snow on the road and the truck stalled. At that time, I also lost steering ability and braking ability. Truck would not start. Towed to mechanic. Real issue never found. Basically dried out and started again (2) days. Second incident happened during rain. Went through a small puddle at 40 MPH and had the same issue. Towed again and started right up the next day. Third incident happened last night, april 25, 2013 while driving home in a driving rain storm. Did not hit any water just stalled on it's own. Again, stalled and would not start. Towed for a third time. Talked to chevrolet this morning they said there were no recalls for the issue but I have checked online on several different forums and it seem to be a problem for many folks.
The check engine light came on due to fault code p0499 which is a faulty emissions evap vent solenoid due to engineering design flaws.
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