2021 6.2 Tahoe eats oil like crazy - is this truck getting lifter issues soon?

[xycrazy]

I figured that my 2021 Tahoe is eating oil like crazy meanwhile. MPG went down, too. I didn't took it too serious but since I read again about the lifter issues I took a closer look again and yeah... I had the oil changed 6,000 miles ago and since then I've put in a quart of extra oil at least. And today I checked it and see nothing on the dipstick anymore. So another quart would be necessary. Ran the engine for a minute or so before I measured as the 6.2 was cold. Average mpg went down from 17.4. to 16 in the last months and performance wise I don't think it's going as nice as a Cadillac with the same engine that I just test drove. Could be all subjective OR the beginning of trouble. Mechanic in the shop tells me that it's normal that it consumes oil... but THAT much?! What's your experience? Is this oil consumption concerning?

 

[Stbentoak]

As long as the engine is covered for a while under the powertrain warranty, I wouldn't like... say, trade it next week, but if it's doing that and or getting worse you know something is imminently coming.

I personally would not keep any vehicle that "eats" oil... Not a one I've had in 20+ years ever did, Including this LM2... Maybe I'm lucky.

 

[Doubeleive]

Get a catch can

 

[Vladimir2306]

My 2022 Yukon also eats oil. But I noticed that it depends on the manner of driving. If I'm driving around the city, then the first topping up of oil takes about 4-5 thousand miles after a change. If I'm driving on the highway and I'm driving fast on the highway. About 80-105 miles per hour, topping up is required after 2000 miles. And then I top up about every 500 miles for 0.5 quarts

 

[tom3]

Is this still under warranty? I'd get the dealer involved in this if so. Have them change the oil and document consumption. Pretty sure that's a ring problem and it will only get worse with the new style ring packages. You are running premium fuel in this?

 

[Vladimir2306]

Is this still under warranty? I'd get the dealer involved in this if so. Have them change the oil and document consumption. Pretty sure that's a ring problem and it will only get worse with the new style ring packages. You are running premium fuel in this?

There are no problems with rings there. This is a feature of our engines that eat 0w20 oil. Just top up and do not look at the rate of oil consumption

 

[dbacksdad]

I figured that my 2021 Tahoe is eating oil like crazy meanwhile. MPG went down, too. I didn't took it too serious but since I read again about the lifter issues I took a closer look again and yeah... I had the oil changed 6,000 miles ago and since then I've put in a quart of extra oil at least. And today I checked it and see nothing on the dipstick anymore. So another quart would be necessary. Ran the engine for a minute or so before I measured as the 6.2 was cold. Average mpg went down from 17.4. to 16 in the last months and performance wise I don't think it's going as nice as a Cadillac with the same engine that I just test drove. Could be all subjective OR the beginning of trouble. Mechanic in the shop tells me that it's normal that it consumes oil... but THAT much?! What's your experience? Is this oil consumption concerning?

I'm dealing with the same problems in my 2023 Tahoe with the 5.3. I have had to add 2-3 quarts in between oil changes and chevy dealer is saying its normal. Its not.. I fought them to finally do an oil consumption test and they put some sort of tamper seal on the filler neck and drain plug believe.

Next step is to take it back to them when the low oil light comes on again ( which it will)

I would start documenting everything or have them start doing the oil changes for you so its all recorded if you can. Very disappointing when we spend this kind of money on a truck and this is something we have to deal with

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Do not wait until low oil light comes on. Ask for a proper oil consumption test. You will void your warranty if you let your engine run low of oil, as well as destroy it. Like it or not, GM considers any consumption less than 1qt/1000 miles normal. Work with your dealer, not against them.

 

[tagexpcom]

Agree it's not normal to have to add a quart of oil every few thousand miles. It's either leak(s) or something not-so-good going on in the engine! I've had both situations in my life-time

You don't say if you have leaks - but I would start there and either confirm (and fix) or rule it out and if no leak - then focus on the engine operation.

 

[xycrazy]

I couldn’t see any leaks. However it concerned me that much that I traded it in for an Escalade. No regrets whatsoever

 

[Bigburb3500]

I couldn’t see any leaks. However it concerned me that much that I traded it in for an Escalade. No regrets whatsoever

Sounds like a rough life my friend. We solute you in your ability to fix the problem effectively! Enjoy the Slade!!

 

[Meathead16]

And today I checked it and see nothing on the dipstick anymore. So another quart would be necessary. Ran the engine for a minute or so before I measured as the 6.2 was cold.

Best time to check the oil is in the morning  before starting the engine. After sitting all night the oil throughout the engine has made its way to the pan and you can get the most accurate reading of how much oil is actually in there. Letting it run for a minute or two first will skew the results lower.

 

[TollKeeper]

Any update on this? I would not be putting in a catch can, or any other modifications to the engine until all repairs under warranty have been completed, just in case GM wants to deny coverages.

Adding 1 quart of oil when no oil is showing? You might want to keep checking. When no oil is showing, its usually 2-3 (or more) quarts low.

 

[BacDoc]

Any update on this? I would not be putting in a catch can, or any other modifications to the engine until all repairs under warranty have been completed, just in case GM wants to deny coverages.

Adding 1 quart of oil when no oil is showing? You might want to keep checking. When no oil is showing, its usually 2-3 (or more) quarts low.

He traded in and got an Escalade.

For those who say oil consumption is normal and adding a quart or more between oil changes is normal - you gotta be kidding me!

On any new vehicle especially under 100k miles and under 5 years old there should be no oil leaking and no “consumption” between oil changes in 5k miles intervals

Maybe a half quart if you’re driving in severe conditions or towing a lot.
My last 3 GM V8’s never had to add oil between changes in 3k-5k intervals. On my 2024 Tahoe I had the oil changed at 1k and at 4k, and plan on changing oil every 3-4k after that. I check oil every couple fuel fill ups and so far it’s like my last V8 - no need to add any oil.

I can’t imagine anyone paying these prices for new truck and thinking that having to add quart of oil is ok! Buying a used truck with over 100k and no maintenance, that might burn oil but not these new V8’s. It’s not normal and you need to take it back to the dealership and complain. If dealership or any mechanic says it is normal for a new $80k+ truck to burn oil you gotta find another dealership!

 

[BMPNUGLS]

I had a similar situation on my 16 Denali XL with the 6.2….one oil change at just over 100K miles I tried some Amsoil Signature Series 0W-20 and after about 1,200 miles I got the low oil warning. Never before had I got this warning and it concerned me. I topped it off - took about 2.5qts! When it hit 3K and was due for a change it again was 2+qts low. After that I changed back to my ‘go to’ Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and it was back to using 1/2-3/4qt between oil changes (3-4K mile OCI’s).

Have no clue why the Amsoil caused it to use so much oil but it did….no leaks whatsoever so it had to be burning the oil somehow….strangest experience I’ve ever had with a particular brand of oil. The Amsoil stayed pretty clean and nothing indicated it was burning oil (such as smoke on startup etc). Very strange.

 

[Nickee]

He traded in and got an Escalade.

For those who say oil consumption is normal and adding a quart or more between oil changes is normal - you gotta be kidding me!

On any new vehicle especially under 100k miles and under 5 years old there should be no oil leaking and no “consumption” between oil changes in 5k miles intervals

Maybe a half quart if you’re driving in severe conditions or towing a lot.
My last 3 GM V8’s never had to add oil between changes in 3k-5k intervals. On my 2024 Tahoe I had the oil changed at 1k and at 4k, and plan on changing oil every 3-4k after that. I check oil every couple fuel fill ups and so far it’s like my last V8 - no need to add any oil.

I can’t imagine anyone paying these prices for new truck and thinking that having to add quart of oil is ok! Buying a used truck with over 100k and no maintenance, that might burn oil but not these new V8’s. It’s not normal and you need to take it back to the dealership and complain. If dealership or any mechanic says it is normal for a new $80k+ truck to burn oil you gotta find another dealership!

Currently going through this with my 2021 Tahoe Z71 5.3. Started noticing the oil changes were getting more frequent until I received the "Add Oil" on the dash and kept monitoring it. Doing an oil consumption test for 4K miles in 2K intervals, but at the moment I've already driven 2K since my most recent oil change and the dealership had to add 2 quarts because it was low. Oil Change was done on 5/9/25 @ 94,597 miles and currently I have 97,039 miles. Dealership did mention the 1 quart for every 2K miles as normal consumption so I'm currently waiting to see how they go about this issue.

 

[B-train]

These stories are a total bummer. I've never had a GM engine that uses more than 1/2 quart in 5k miles. My 2017 6.2L doesn't use a drop in 5k, and she's due for her 175k change soon.

Cost cutting and CAFE has ruined a good thing in my opinion. On Saturday I followed a 2019, or newer, CCSB Chevy 1500 that was burning SO much oil that there was a blue haze behind it everywhere he went! I couldn't believe it at first and thought I was following some worn out old minivan that has been beat to death 3 times over, but I was wrong. I'm surprised the driver didn't seem to notice...........keep following those 7500 - 10k oil change intervals. Nothing will go wrong....LOL

 

[BacDoc]

Currently going through this with my 2021 Tahoe Z71 5.3. Started noticing the oil changes were getting more frequent until I received the "Add Oil" on the dash and kept monitoring it. Doing an oil consumption test for 4K miles in 2K intervals, but at the moment I've already driven 2K since my most recent oil change and the dealership had to add 2 quarts because it was low. Oil Change was done on 5/9/25 @ 94,597 miles and currently I have 97,039 miles. Dealership did mention the 1 quart for every 2K miles as normal consumption so I'm currently waiting to see how they go about this issue.

Find another dealer!
Quart every 2k miles is something wrong with your engine
Check the surface area you park on, you may have a leak.

I get my oil changed before 5k and check it a several times between oil changes and I have never had to add any. I do what the manual calls severe driving - short trips and towing 7500lbs at least twice a month.

If I had to add more than a quart between 5k oil changes I would be complaining to the management and GM customer service.

New vehicles should not burn oil in 5k or less.

 

[Vladimir2306]

edit

 

[Vladimir2306]

Find another dealer!
Quart every 2k miles is something wrong with your engine
Check the surface area you park on, you may have a leak.

I get my oil changed before 5k and check it a several times between oil changes and I have never had to add any. I do what the manual calls severe driving - short trips and towing 7500lbs at least twice a month.

If I had to add more than a quart between 5k oil changes I would be complaining to the management and GM customer service.

New vehicles should not burn oil in 5k or less.

there is a problem with the valve cover in our engines. There, the sealant layer does not run around the entire perimeter, but there is a gap of about 1 cm, in this place there is a small backlash where the oil separator is. The oil gets sucked in there. Hence the increased oil consumption. GM has already changed these valve caps, and you can just install new ones. Well, or drive and top up, without worrying, just keep an eye on the oil level.