When trans temp goes above 130 deg F, gear shifting around 35-45 mph results in shuddering and occasionally thumping gear changes. Above 50 seems to be no issue unless you try to pass someone and stomp on the pedal. I let off pedal and then stomp it and am able to speed ahead and pass. I went to local dealer thinking a fluid change would resolve, manual calls for changing at 45K for severe duty and 60K for light duty. Dealer told me fluid change at 45K, no matter what the duty type. Dealer came back and tech said nope, its the Torque converter. 800 parts and 20 hrs labor, so approximately 4,000, at a 150/hr rate. Taking truck in on 10/18/21 and will update after repair... fingers crossed!
On July 6th of 2020, I had to bring my truck to my local Chevrolet dealer for warranty service with regards to my powertrain. I brought the truck in as it was experiencing the following symptoms:
Significant shudder in the driveline: Occurs at low RPMs on flat or slight inclines and is irregardless of vehicle speed.
Hard shifts: Very rough shifts occur when both accelerating and slowing down in the low range gears (1-4).
Transmission clunk/lurch: When doing highway driving, if the operator takes their foot off the gas pedal, there is a significant clank in the drivetrain and the vehicle lurches and slows down considerably when coasting.
Transmission failure to engage: When turning on the vehicle, initially when putting the vehicle in drive or reverse, the transmission will not engage. The vehicle RPM’s will increase when the gas pedal is pressed, no motion will happen of any kind. After 7-10 seconds, the transmission will engage with a big clunk/lurch.
As someone who reads and watches and follows many reviews of GM products, and would consider myself a genuine Chevrolet fan, I am concerned with the long term viability and reliability of my vehicle. I purchased this truck with the intent of seeing how many miles and years I can see this truck through. My local dealer did replace the transmission fluid, however the issues are not resolved.
With the current drivetrain system issues I have, I am concerned with the vehicles ability to be reliable as miles and years go up. This issue has cast a shadow on my experience with my vehicle and the support from the Chevrolet thus far has been very discouraging. As a fan of the brand, I now question if I will be a future customer due to this experience.
If I had known of these drivetrain issues when looking to purchase a vehicle, I would have never paid the price I did, and most likely would not have purchased anything with this 8-speed / torque converter combination.
I am severely disappointing with GM's support, lack of resolutions and it feels like they are just waiting on this vehicle going out of warranty.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
When trans temp goes above 130 deg F, gear shifting around 35-45 mph results in shuddering and occasionally thumping gear changes. Above 50 seems to be no issue unless you try to pass someone and stomp on the pedal. I let off pedal and then stomp it and am able to speed ahead and pass. I went to local dealer thinking a fluid change would resolve, manual calls for changing at 45K for severe duty and 60K for light duty. Dealer told me fluid change at 45K, no matter what the duty type. Dealer came back and tech said nope, its the Torque converter. 800 parts and 20 hrs labor, so approximately 4,000, at a 150/hr rate. Taking truck in on 10/18/21 and will update after repair... fingers crossed!
- John K., Jacksonville, FL, US