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I have a 2011 Suburban LT with over 120,000 miles. Because of my line of work, I spent quite a bit of time over the road. It started to snow last night and as I was heading home, the engine light was on and the compression to the engine seem to have disappeared while traveling 60 miles per hour. At first it was apparent that some vibration was taking place in the engine And the transmission seems to not have any power transferred while driving in drive gear. It was snowing and I didn't want to be stranded, So I drifted to nearest ramp And shifted the transmission to manual and was able to limp to nearest hotel and put the vehicle in reverse in order to park facing outward. Once I shifted to park the engine sounded like it was sputtering and about to shut down. I had to stay in the hotel overnight. Since this is a first for me, I want to know if the symptoms that I began to see in the vehicle could indicate what went wrong. Since the car is only 1 year old, I did not think that I would have problems with the battery charging but several times in the past few weeks I have seen the battery die and have to be charged. I recently bought a battery to back up this original battery, but have not installed as yet. The check engine light has been intermittent sometimes not coming on at all.. the message Control Panel indicates for the very first time, that there is a stability link traction control problem. I am glad for my sake that there was not a family in the vehicle with me due to the nature of my business, I can't have this occurrence again. Any assistance from the customer service side would be very helpful as we would like this resolved promptly if there is data that suggests that there is frequent product failure in this regard. Limping to a hotel in a snow storm for a problem that is well known to repeat itself with the data that you have collected so far, is of concern.
Had issue with the battery last month, so had to change it and was over at dealer twice last week, once for supposedly a sensor related to the gas pump (engine light on and sputtering when i shut it down) and 2 days ago - the suspension system service light came on : all the wires under the gas tank were corroded as a piece of metal from the car had cut the envelop over them and moisture and crap got in.... And now this!!! Will bring it tomorrow at the dealer but after reading all the other posts not sure what i will do next. Still have 3 years to pay but need a safe and reliable vehicle...
Sarah, GM Customer Service
We're sorry that you're having this experience with your Suburban. If you needed to contact customer service for your region, GM of Canada can be reached at 800-263-3777 (Hours: M-F 7:30am - 11:30pm, Sat 7:30am - 6:00 EST).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Anyways, I posted it was resolved. Numerous trips to dealership, case # with GM, etc....the dealership ended up replacing the fuel pump at their cost though I was 1000 miles over my warranty since my problems began before the warrant ended, and I called GM (this really motivated them)....they began answering their phone, I didn't have to leave messages in the service dept and wait for them to call me, once again, calling GM regarding my issue really motivated the dealership.
Things DID work better for awhile, but ultimately my problems at 101,000 miles still remain. The TCS, Stabilitrak lights still come on every month or so, I use 1-2 qts of oil between changes, it doesn't idle correctly often times(especially after going long distances down the freeway, then coming to a stop at the end of an off ramp etc).
Ultimately, I've just gotten used to it(sad, huh?). I have a busy life, young kids and a business, and I'm sick of fighting this thing. It's a piece of junk, and I really don't know what I'm going to do for my next vehicle as I see the newer ones coming of age are having the same problems.....
That's all folks.....
My question for them will be: what is the root cause of this problem that would cause all of these vehicles to need new pistons and rings at 50, 60, and 70k miles, etc.....and then also, why did they change the fuel pump at 70k miles on their dime if that was supposed to fix it the first time????
Anyways, of course I'm completely frustrated. I did get the dealer to admit they've had to do this waaaay more with the 07's- 09's than the new vehicles, but then I wonder if even that is because the older ones tend to have more mileage.
Stay tuned.....
Do you have any plans to get this checked into with a dealership? If so, let us know as we're available to work through that process with you.
Sarah, GM Customer Service
I was very concerned at the number of people who have posted this same problem and wonder will anything ever be done on GM part??
All my same lights stay on, jerk going into first gear, and mine idols down like its gonna die.
Wondering what they said or did at the repair shop, how much did it cost you, and have u had any problems sense? VERY concerened at all of the forems here about this problem!!
Sarah, GM Customer Service
I haven't contacted Gm yet
If you remove the nav dvd it stops. Brilliant design.
THIS IS GOING TO BE MORE APPARENT IN THE COMING MONTHS AS THESE 2007-2009 MODEL YEARS START CREEPING UP ON THE 75K-85K SWEET SPOT MILEAGE.
GM IS TRYING TO HIDE THE FACT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND HAVE A BANDAID SOLUTION.
YOU CANNOT CHECK IT WITHOUT A COMPLETE TEAR DOWN OF THE MOTOR.
IF YOU HAVE THE 5.3L MOTOR WITH AFM I WISH YOU LUCK.
MY STORY IS BELOW:
So I would like to discuss our recent troubles with our 2007 Chevy Tahoe LT 5.3L. We were finally able to purchase our first new car, 2007 Chevy Tahoe LT, ever in October 2006 from our local dealership. We decided on the Chevy Tahoe because we have had a used Chevy Suburban and Used Chevy Tahoe prior and have had excellent experience with both of them. It was truly a wonderful experience until now.
Flash forward to October 2012. While traveling several warning lights came on “Service Traction Control, Stablitrak, and Service engine”. We brought it to the dealership a few times to scan for a code and they couldn’t come up with anything. So now we had to wait until it was actually happening and rush it over to the dealership so they can scan for the code while it was happening. Finally it was happening enough that we were able to get it to the dealer for the scan. The scan revealed that spark plug #1 was fouled and would cause a chain reaction on all the computers to go haywire. So they did a little research and they found a GM TSB (technical service bulletin) that said replace the valve cover gasket, replace all the plugs and wires. Keep in mind these are 100K mile platinum plugs/wires and we currently have around 79000 miles on the vehicle (GM recommends replacing these items at 100K miles). So we did what we were told and $700 later we were on our merry way.
Jump forward to January 2013. Now we start hearing a clunking sound on acceleration. We bring it back to the dealer and they can’t seem to find anything (of course not????). Now February the sound is more apparent and all the warning lights have come back. I decided to take the car to a friend of mine who has a local shop and specializes in foreign autos. I knew he would take the time and do the research to finally tell us what the dealer couldn’t. After having the car for a week the verdict was in. GM has this fuel management system introduced on this particular 5.3L motor in 2007. It’s supposed to be able to switch from 8 to 4 cylinders and back to help save on fuel (Active Fuel Management or AFM). To confirm the problem he would have to tear down the engine and check the intake valve on cylinder #1. This is when I said “I’m taking it back to the dealer”.
Now the dealership has the car and I didn’t mention that I already had it looked at. I wanted to see if they would come up with the same diagnosis. Well after a week they did. I can’t believe it since the initial $700 fix 3000 miles ago in November 2012 I now have to replace the engine, WTF! Needless to say I was not a happy camper. Now the car has been out of warranty for a little over a year (which has been pointed out to me over and over again) but that’s not the point. The point is we bought a brand new car so we wouldn’t have any problems usually associated with used cars. A car that has less than 100K miles on it. A car that has been religiously serviced by our local Chevy Dealership. And now I’m being told I have to replace the motor!
The dealership called GM. GM was quick to say they would replace the motor and cover 50% of the costs? Well whoop de doo. Why were they so quick to offer that deal? Of course they are replacing it with a genuine GM remanufactured motor with a 3 year/ 50K warranty and that’s all they are willing to do. I don’t expect the dealership to cover all the costs and it would be nice if I wasn’t out of pocket any. Yes I know the car it out of warranty but I expect GM to back up their product. Did I mention I have purchased over $100K in new Chevy vehicles over the last several years.
So the car is no good to us. Can’t drive it, sell it or trade it in. I basically have to take the deal. My estimated out of pocket will be $3K plus tax.
So I decided to call GM directly and talk to them in a kind Christian sort of way (as only I can do). I figured if they heard from the customer directly that they would be willing to at least come down a little. I know the car isn’t under warranty. The results were not what I was looking for. After they gathered all the information from the dealership and me as well they will only cover 50% of the cost. I explained to them that I’ve been a loyal customer, this car had less than 100K miles on it, I’ve spent over $100K in Chevy cars over the last several years. Nope all they would do is 50%. I asked would they would at least reimburse me for the $700 that I already spent that was totally unnecessary? Nope only 50%. Well let’s just say things went pretty much south from there.
So here is where we stand. The dealership is putting in the new motor. They are working with me to get the price down under $3K. I don’t begrudge the dealership I think they did what they could do (as personally later found out with GM). I don’t begrudge the lady at GM I’m sure she has set parameters she has to follow and she’s just a drone in the corporation. However I do begrudge GM for not standing by their product. Do the research it’s all over the internet. GM has a problem with this motor and it’s “Active Fuel Management” they know it and they will continue to have problems. Unfortunately if you do have this particular motor there’s no way to check if you will have this problem or not. I will never buy a GM product again. They have lost a loyal customer over $700.
I find it pretty amazing when they want billions of our tax dollars to bail them out and I'm looking for $700 just does not compute with me.
Feel free to share this and let's set GM straight that they should stand behind their product!!!!
I wish you luck.
I spoke with the mechanic at the dealership and asked what exactly happened and if this was normal?
He told me the rings on the piston were worn and caused the leak by which fouled the plug. The cylinder wall were scarred and the other cylinders were starting to look worn.
He just shrugged his shoulders when I asked him if this was normal (that kind of says it all right there).
I know Black Bear Performance offers a tune solution to turn the AFM off. I guess they started to offer this due to the rash of complaints and problems that have been associated with this.
I have sent letters off to GM's upper management pleading my case. I'm not expecting much but it doesn't hurt to try.
I told him right up front I'm not looking to get off without paying anything. I understand the car was out of warranty but the fact of the matter is the engine failed under 100K miles.
He said there were a few more upper management people he could plead my case to. So I don't know if he's blowing smoke up my a** or he's being truthful. We'll see.
I asked him if this issue had been addressed in the newer vehicles and he said yes, that it was only for 2-3 yrs 07-09 they had these lifters in them. Anyway, our vehicle is going in next week at a cost of $1,300 to hopefully finally get fixes. The service advisor said he hasn't had any come back in after the fact.
GM paid 50% the cost of the new motor so I was out $3000. I wrote to corporate to see if they could do any better but they said because it was out of warranty that they didn't even have to pay 50% but because I was a good Chevy customer they through me a bone.
GM will not issue a recall because it's not a safety issue so everyone with these effected years will just have to suck it up and deal with it.
Don't you love being a beta tester?
If they said you need a new engine then the cylinder cracked and trashed the cylinder walls. This is caused by the faulty lifters and the AFM.
I hope your car is still under warranty and or 100K in mileage. If you bought the extended service plan then pay the deductible and get the new motor.
If not then be prepared to pay at least 50% of the cost. GM will only offer that and you won't get anymore (believe me I tried). You should only be out of pocket $3K or less.
Good luck.
If the dealer is telling you it will cost $1-2K to diagnose the problem they are full of sh**.
GM covered all diagnosis on my vehicle and they looked through #1 spark plug to confirm the engine was trashed.
If this dealer is jerks you around go to another GM dealer until you are satisfied. Also call their customer service line and they can tell the dealer what to do.
Good luck.
This seems to be prevalent in the 2007-2009 model years. 2007 was the first model year with the new AFM system and the lifters seem to be the main culprit. GM made a modification in late 2009 for the 2010 model year.
I'm in the process of having Black Bear Performance due a tune and eliminate the AFM on the new "remanufactured" motor we just had installed. The dealership said it should not affect the warranty.
I wonder how many people are out there with these model years who are just beginning to have these problems?
I wonder how many actually are doing their due diligence to try and get something out of GM?
GM is pretty fast to say "we'll cover 50% of the cost of a remanufactured motor". I think they know they have a problem but it maybe cheaper on a case by case basis. They must be betting on the come that most of the motors will go past 100K in miles so then they can tell people to pound sand.
This may help you with the dealer:
Apparently it is the lifter(design flaw???) that goes bad, causes a crack in the #1 piston(which lets the oil through henceforth the oil consumption) and since the #1 plug is fouled the vehicle runs rough which sends the stabilitrak/TCS lights to go crazy, also lots of compression loss, rough idling etc.
Has this issue been addressed in the newer vehicles?
Yes, that it was only for 2-3 yrs 07-09 they had these particular lifters in them.
Thanks RGM.
My dealership was able to get the 50% for me originally and have GM pay for the diagnosis. I tried to get more but came up empty.
If the dealership you are working with is unwilling to go to bat for you then go to another dealership until you find one that is willing to work for you.
I also wrote a letter to GM's corporate office's to the top the President, Chairman etc. They won't read it but there minions will and they have more pull than the drone on the phone.
Just stick to the facts. Keep it simple and to the point. Be very business like.
Good luck.
I can certainly understand your frustrations. While I cannot promise a different resolution at this point, I would like to review your case file. Can you send me a private message with you full name and VIN please? My email is socialmedia@gm.com "attn Crystal" in the subject header.
Crystal L-GM Customer Care