CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2009 Silverado has no defect trends, which is a very good sign now that it's more than a few years old.
A couple model years back, the 2007 Silverado has an oil consumption defect at low mileage (~50k miles) — so far there's only a very few reports of the same problem with the 2009 Silverado.
The 2009 Silverado received poor side impact ratings on models not equipped with the optional side air bags.
Every year the plugs foul from a cracked cylinder I'm being told. This started 1 year after we purchased the car in 2013. Please help with any suggestion or recalls that I may have missed.
In 2009 I bought my first pickup I've always wanted and I bought it lifted. First thing was I lost 2 set of tires because the company didn't do the job right. I found the tie rod ends cut too short and paid to replace them. It stopped and the tire wear was fine. Then oil consumption was very bad, oil pressure low. They said that's normal. I said bull. I have a 2000 Tahoe with 300000 miles on it, pressure at 40PSI. I can drive 200 miles and pressure stays the same, no oil consumption at all. Now that motor is super k, but on my 2009 Silverado 5.3. Sucks. If all the people had this problem, then GM should fix all of them and any other problems by the way.
Chevy needs to fix this problem. I bought this truck brand new in 2009. I had to replace spark plugs in Cylinders #1 and #7 twice. The low oil light comes on all the time out of the blue even after I've changed the oil. I contacted the dealer they said with the mileage I have on this vehicle it should be using 1 quart every 1,000 miles. I call bullshit.
I had my oil changed every 5,000 miles, and was told I was a quart low. I told mechanic is just added a quart about 1500 miles back. His response was that's normal for a vehicle with 60,000 + miles. I told him that is not normal all he did was say yes it is normal.
- Robert B.,
Shreveport, LA, US
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I had this truck for 2 yrs this April, my brother is a mechanic told me the 09s have a issue with burning oil. it is a pain in my butt, I got rid of a truck that had issues to get a better truck I did not expect this. then he told me this I have had to put in 2quarts because it burns that much I love the truck other wise but really I travel I don't need it happening then it blowing up because I didn't see it...
This is not the first time my truck had this problem! I asked my dealer about what can be done they said there was no fix. It just happened again on January 8, 2017, I can't afford to fix the problem nor buy a new vehicle. My 1986 Chevy didn't burn as much oil as this truck does.
I've always bought Chevrolet, but times are tough enough not to have a reliable vehicle. I hope they re-mediate the problem for all of us.
I told Dealership, they told me I did not have a problem! I bought this truck brand new. It uses almost 2 quarts between oil Changes 3,000 to 5,000 miles sometimes! I wanted to replace the PCV valve but does not have one!!!! I complain all the time but it does not matter. Nobody knows what to do!!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!
Upset about 2009 Silverado oil consumption, no recalls from Chevy to take care of this problem, no solution when talked with Chevy dealer, they claimed a qt. every 1000 miles was normal, very disappointed with gm
I am a loyal Chevy client, this is the first time I have had problems with Chevy trucks. My concern is that if this has been a problem why has Chevy not sent me a letter detailing this problem.
2009 Chevy Silverado LX 4x4 Engine started using oil, now every 6 months the #1 Cylinder fouls out the plugs and the engine light comes on rough idling like clockwork. I spent 450 dollars June of 2013 for new plugs and then in 7 months later, the good ole #1 fouled again, replaced all 8 plugs $375 dollar.
Now March 2016 ole #1 fouled again replacing all 8 spark plugs , now GM says they have a all great valve cover gasket and they are installing it at 177 bucks and 8 new Spark Plugs and oh yea they found a leaking transmission cooler line (no oil on driveway parked there 24/7). GM Service Center replaced Driver Side Valve Cover Gasket , apparently the oil splashes somewhere that it shouldn't. Not exactly sure what I'm being sold. Should I trade the truck off and dump this pig. Spent $2,000 on this thing in last 6 months.
Oil Sending unit went bad, $800 repaired then replaced all 8 spark plugs. Fouled plugs (first time) $450 repair. Engine Idles rough, engine light on, fouled #1 cylinder again, replaced DS Engine Valve Cover Gasket and transmission line $750.00
I had switched to synthetic oil long ago to avoid engine problems. I have had problems with oil sensing faults in the past which was surprising, but replaced the sensor and all good. Now my engine started burning oil (bad smoke at start-up) and missing on cylinder #1, along with back ticking noise from that cylinder. (All kinds of electronic warnings and lights came on along with rough idle.)
Took to dealer and they said appears to be valve problem and would recommend a complete top end overhaul or replace the motor. For the most part, this engine has been great. I took truck back, did on-line research and did the following myself: 1. Opened up and cleaned push rods & rockers. All looked good, no problem there. Did an engine flush with Seafoam. Changed oil and spark plugs. Started it back up holding my breath, and nothing appears different.
Further reading, I am 99% convinced that this is related to the AFM system. Of course talking to my service adviser at Miller Bro Chevrolet, he would not agree. I just can't believe 130,000 miles now and I have one problem and the engine is shot?? And why is GM not finding a good solution to this problem with oil management and the AFM system?
Update from Jun 10, 2018: Fixed my problem with engine, but took a lot of work. Did too end overhaul that included replacement of all AFM active valve lifters. These do go bad and found one destroyed.
Put engine back together and sent computer to turn off AFM as this is the source/root problem of the oil splashing & consumption problem. Truck has another 60,000 miles and engine problem gone minus a rough idle i can't seem to find.
A separate issue with this was at 10,000 miles with the engine saying traction control engine disabled. If you go above 30mph it would jerk you out of the truck. They said it was the accelerator pedal which was changed 3 different times. Finally they said it was a wiring issue and no more problems after that. Now at 115,000 miles no oil pressure. I know it uses oil between changes but I keep it up on full checking atleast once a week. 1 week ago I made sure it had a full pan of oil carried it to have body work done, it was in the shop for about a week I pick it up come back home ( 1 hour away ) and drive it 1 more time for about an hour no problems. November the 8th I get in it and get ready to go to town and the oil light comes on and no oil pressure I check it and it is 2 1/2 qts low. I change the oil every 3,500 to 4,000 miles and I even keep a log on this. I bought this truck brand new I have never owned a brand new truck so this is my baby. I am so pissed about this I cannot even put in the words Chevrolet should be responsible for each and everyone of these problems they know it is a problem and will not admit it. If anyone has a plan to see what we can do to make GM own up to this I am all ears.
Taken to multiple, respectable companies, however they do not know where the oil is going! Burning about a quart every 500 miles. I've been a Chevy man my entire life and it was a proud day when I picked this fully loaded vehicle up from the dealer. This problem has ruined the brand for me.
I've always been a General Motors truck buyer. I'm totally crippled (handicapped) I have five back fractures that are inoperable. I also have a traumatic brain injury, that I've been partially rehabbed for. I bought a new, 4 miles on it, 2009 Chevy Silverado 5.3L LTZ package. After my third oil & filter change, I was told by a service mechanic, that my engine oil was very low.
He was surprised because he knows how often he changes my oil, and that he saw no leaks. I had him check every 400 miles or so. He told me I might have a serious problem. I'm blowing out approximately 2 quarts of oil every 600 miles.
Since that time, I no longer drive my truck. I can't afford to break down, while using a wheelchair. We have no public transportation. So I'm now the proud owner (paid for) of a 2009 Silverado, LTZ that I won't trust to drive. I'm now a recluse in my home. I can dress up, and I have some places to go, but I don't dare to use my vehicle. I often ask what happened to General Motors? I thought I was buying an American truck, only to find out the parts are from all over the world, and it was assembled in Canada.
Like so many other people, companies, being severely handicapped let's you see and feel real prejudice all the time. See how wonderful a corrupt system works. I'm used to it.
Like many of you, at 81k miles, oil light comes on, took 3 qts. Took it to dealer where I bought it (Northern Neck Chev, Montross, Va) They replaced the oil pressure switch and installed the diverter plate (spent about $500). No explainations except that should not be resolved. Looked at a website called AllData and found a GM tech bulletin describing the problem (exactly). Fix 1 is diverter plate, fix 2 is cleaning pistons/rings, fix 3 is replacing pistons/rings, final fix is new engine. More research shows problems may have stopped with 2012 and newer. Now I burn about 1qt every 1000 miles. I am disgusted, sad, angry, and no longer like my showroom condition baby. I also have a 99 Silverado I bought new and it has the 4.8l with 250k and never a problem. Wish I had that engine in the 09
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BUT THERE WAS NO MESSAGE CONCERNING WHAT WAS WRONG. THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. I CHECKED THE OIL AND PUT IN 2 QUARTS AND DID NOT GET IT UP ON THE DIP STICK BUT IT DID STOP MAKING THE CLINKING NOISE.
I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND THEY HAD TO ADD 2.5 MORE QUARTS TO GET IT FULL. THE OIL HAS CHANGED AT 60000 MILES SO IT WENT THROUGH 4.5 QUARTS OF OIL IN 3500 MILES. THE SAME DEALER INSTALLED A DIVERTER PLATE 2 YEARS EARLIER AT 40000 MILES WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT NEVER EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AT THE TIME OR THE FUTURE POTENTIAL ISSUES.
THE FIX WILL LIKELY BE NEW RINGS AND PISTONS OR POSSIBLY A NEW ENGINE. THE DEALER SAYS IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO THE OIL CHANGES AFTER THE DIVERTER WAS INSTALLED AND NOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY.
I BELIEVE THE OIL PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED 2 YEARS AGO BUT I CHANGED THE OIL OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT WAS NEVER NOTICED. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME.
Update from Oct 20, 2015: Took the truck to the dealer that installed the diverter plate and did the piston wash at 44,000 under warranty. They did an oil cunsumption test and determined the pistons need to be replaced. They explained the truck was now out of warranty but they would pick up the tab except for $780.00. I explained that the service bulliten issued by Chevy stated to do the diverter plate and wash first and if that did not work to replace the pistons. They did not tell me that at 44000 miles and now it is out of warranty. I contacted the dealer that I bought the truck from and they stated that they had installed 10 diverter paltes and performed the wash and all 10 motors ended up having to have the pistons replaced. Paying $780.00 is better that paying $2700.00 but it does not make sense that Chevy would risk a future sale of a $45,000.00 truck for $780.00.
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE CONCERNING LOW OIL PRESSURE. I STOP THE TRUCK AND HAD TO ADD 3 QUARTS OF OIL JUST TO GET IT TO TOUCH THE DIP STICK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A DIVERTER PLATE BUT NEVER EXPLAINED THE POSSIBLE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Every year the plugs foul from a cracked cylinder I'm being told. This started 1 year after we purchased the car in 2013. Please help with any suggestion or recalls that I may have missed.
Thank you for all you do,
Sue Cerasa
suecerasa@gmail.com
- Sue C., Grand Rapids, MN, US