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2008 Chevrolet Suburban: excessive oil consumption

10 of the 213 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban describe excessive oil consumption.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
120,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 177 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Excessive oil consumption by model year

  • 2023
    2
  • 2022
    5
  • 2021
    5
  • 2019
    1
  • 2015
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    2
  • 2011
    3
  • 2010
    2
  • 2009
    4
  • 2008
    10
  • 2007
    15
  • 2005
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2001
    5
  • 1997
    1

What owners say

Filed Oct 23, 2017 · Engine · 120,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet suburban. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that various warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to manassas chevrolet (8000 sudley rd, manassas, va 20109 (703) 596-3031) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed replacement. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to luck chevrolet (516 s washington hwy, ashland, va 23005 (804) 368-6473) where it was diagnosed that the number one and seven spark plugs were covered with oil gunk. The spark plugs were replaced. The dealer also stated that the motor in the vehicle was burning oil and continuously caused the number one and 7 spark plugs to fail. The contact stated that the failure would recur every 3-4 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 19, 2017 · Engine · 149,000 miles · KS

The vehicle has had numerous engine issues and abnormal oil consumption. The motor has failed at 149,000 miles and follows the pattern of numerous other complaints. Oil consumption lifter noise complete engine failure

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Engine · 117,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet suburban. While driving 35 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the engine and the oil gauge displayed zero. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road to check the oil level. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine, but the digital display read 13% oil. The contact added oil to the vehicle and drove to a dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil consumption issue. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The contact was informed by the service technician that the engine needed replacement the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and filed a case. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 06/02/17*lj

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MO

The engine has a design flaw and consumes oil rapidly, loses oil and deteriorates internal parts of motor causing total engine replacement or repair. This motor is currently apart of a class action lawsuit but the lawsuit is only for this engine in the 2010-2013 vehicles. This motor however has been in gm vehicle since 2007 and I assume that the company withheld this information from consumers and public just as they did in 2010. I believe that gm should be responsible for the design flaw of motor in all vehicles that included the engine. Personally I had to replace my motor for excessive oil consumption at the cost of $7,712.13 which included taxes. Then, of course, the motor you put in inherently has the same issue and its just a matter of time before it fails due to excessive oil consumption. The lawsuit is going to be filed for 2010-2013 models I think there should be a recall and I would like to see pressure to include earlier models with the exact same motor.

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · KY

My vehicle has an oil consumption issue, like many of the 07-08 models. We have taken it to 2 dealerships, and they request that we replace the cam and lifters. We have been told by 2 different chevrolet dealerships that this is a bad design by chevy, and they see it all the time with this year. They also stated that they would not even sell our vehicle on their lot if we traded it in. I live in a small town, and I know 4 people who had this same issue, and had to buy new vehicles because chevy did not offer a solution. The repairs cost approximately $5000. Our only option is to trade it in or pay the repairs out of pocket. This is a bad design by chevy, and a safety issue. We cannot drive our vehicle at this time. When the issue began in october of 2016 we were driving down the highway and it started making a knocking noise. We took the vehicle to a chevy dealership in foley alabama, (southern chevrolet) and were told by them it is a bad design, and they have seen many trucks with the same issue. They diagnosed and gave us the option of replacing the cam and lifters for $5000. We did not do this at the time, and took it to another mechanic who stated he had seen this issue multiple times himself. He gave us a temporary fix, and we drove the vehicle home. We took it to our local chevy dealership who told us the exact same thing.

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Engine · 199,000 miles · NC

Apparently there was a technical bulletin issued for this truck. The special warranty was for 120,000 or year 2018. In 2015 I disputed the engine failure and also the oil consumption and the#7 cylinder. My truck was at 170,000 miles and gm refused to pay for the repair. On august 20, 2016, my truck was having the same problems. I returned it back to the same dealer and they said it was the same problem again, this repair was performed less than a year. I called gm again and they refused to make the dealership warranty the repair from last year. Gm knows that this engine is faulty and refuse to recall this 5.3 engine. Now I have to pay for a new engine

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Engine · 135,000 miles · WI

2008 suburban 135k. Vehicle has been running well, all routine maintenance was done. Without any warning the vehicle was 3 quarts low on oil. Dealer checked engine told new engine needed. I was told a common problem further investigation I noted far to many similar complaints. This seems to be a defect in engine design. It should not require deaths before this issue is investigated. Like so many others repair cost is an unexpected burden. Gm response the vehicle high mileage and age are a factor. This problem has affected vehicles with a rang of miles. Gm should recall the 5.3l engine and repair the defect. The first issue with vehicle I was driving on highway the warning light came on. Please take the time to look into this issue. Gm has indicated 2 quarts of oil being burned in 3000 miles is normal. Please take the time to look into the matter. Gm shouldn't be the only bail out. No prior warning was given, no warning lights or low oil indication , no leaks.

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Engine · 61,000 miles · MO

I purchased a 2008 chevy suburban ltz on september 24, 2011. Shortly thereafter I began to notice that the oil pressure gauge seems to behave erratically, I later learned the car burned oil. I took the car to the dealership in january of 2013 complaining of oil stains on my driveway and that I had placed two quarts of oil in my car within one week. The dealership explained to me this was a common problem and that I would have to have about $4,000-$5,000 of repairs done to rebuild my engine. They also explained that this was a warranty item and that gm would cover it. I was informed by the dealership that gm told them that I had to go through an "oil consumption test" which I did, they performed an oil change on january 31, 2013. I brought the vehicle in for service on february 19, 2013 and the dealer notes that it has burned .75 (3/4) of a quart of oil. When I asked if gm would fix the problem, they said no, that another test was needed. I've never purchased or owned a car where burning oil is acceptable. I brief google search of "suburban oil consumption issues" results in approximately 2.8 million results and there are several pages discussing this apparent common problem. I called gm on february 19, 2013 and was only able to speak with [xxx] and a supervisor in the philippines who assigned me a case number I believe this is a large problem and want a recall and fix. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 2, 2013 · Engine · 53,000 miles · ID

2008 chevrolet suburban 5.3l afm oil consumption --> extremely frustrated with gm service given me the runaround regarding a poor engine design which leads to bad rings and high oil consumption. Bad rings can be verified by doing a compression check on the cylinder, as opposed to checking how much oil is being used per mileage. Excessive usage is define 0.5 quarts per 500 miles. Last three oil changes, I have use 6 quarts in 3000 miles. My vehicle is under warranty, and they are trying to delay the problem until it is out of warranty. There is numerous complaints of this online. They should replace the pistons and rings and afm lifters and add the new oil baffle.

Filed Dec 8, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 27,000 miles · WA

New car purchased in 2008. Multiple issues with car consuming excess oil and losing engine power. 27,000 miles had to replace all amf lifters in engine 29,000 miles had to replace throttle body assembly system 31,000 miles had to install new oil pump, gasket and seal 32,000 miles had to replace oil gasket 37,000 miles oil intake system plugs burning oil and oil on intake valve. Had to clean engine and installl 8 valve seals.

Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban oil consumption

Is excessive oil consumption a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban?

10 of 213 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban (5%) mention excessive oil consumption. The model year with the most reports is 2007.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban?

There are 0 recalls and 177 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban

Door locks 26Check engine light 11Engine failure 8Loss of power 7Airbag light 6

All model years of the Chevrolet Suburban

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