8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,300
Average Mileage:
56,900 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. rebuild transmission (2 reports)
  3. replaced crank position sensor (1 reports)
2011 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments

problem #5

Jul 092016

Sierra 1500 4.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have had the truck for 2 1/2 yrs now. It had 42,000 miles on it when I purchased it. It now has 106,000 miles on it. Started having problems with it feeling like it wouldn't down shift correctly. It will kind of jerk forward sometimes when I stop like it doesn't know what gear to be in. Doesn't have any problems when driving or taking off, seems to shift upward with no problems. Also have noticed that it happens more often when the transmission temp goes above 150 F.

- chas878, Moore, OK, US

problem #4

Nov 012015

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I have brought the vehicle to two different dealers to have them take a look the same issues and neither dealer wants to admit there is in fact a malfunction. At approximately 25-35mph slow stop-and-go traffic I experience a serious shudder within the pedals and shifts of the transmission, as if the vehicle does not know what gear to go in. At hard stops or quick stops from 45-0 mph the vehicle lurches forward and you feel the transmission buck as if it is shifting from 4th-3rd-2nd-1st gear to resting at 1st or neutral.

After numerous attempts to have this fixed and absolute horrible borderline offensive customer service by GM Dealers, I became fed up with this low mileage issue which began around 40k. I took the vehicle to a well-known, very reputable Automatic Transmission Repair Shop. The events that followed have so far completely destroyed my faith in customer service by GM Dealers. I understand that dealers are independently owned and operated and only affiliated via sales but unfortunately both dealers have ruined the GM name for me. I am meticulous about maintenance on my vehicles and keep ALL service/repair records and receipts, this is NOT a neglected vehicle.

Update, After fighting with GM Corporate and Customer Service, I was forced to pay out of pocket $5300 to repair this truck. I will never buy another GM Product, nor will my wife, my family or friends.

- nywhish519, Gl, NY, US

problem #3

Dec 142015

Sierra 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Transmission is not down shifting. And when driving it shifts really hard into gear, so hard it feels as if someone has hit me from behind. I have come to a complete stop at a red light, the truck did not shift down into first gear, all at once it jerked into first gear and stalled the engine. This happens when the truck is cold not after warming up.

Update from Feb 4, 2016: The GM tech discovered a problem with the crank position sensor.

- bonnieal, Birmingham, AL, US

problem #2

Jun 012015

Sierra 1500 EX 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

My 2011 GMC Sierra has been acting up since about a month after I bought it. I bought it used with 23,000 miles on it. The transmission often shifts really hard and sometimes is delayed in shifting. I've also had the truck lurch forward as I'm coming to a stop. The issue hasn't yet affected the reliability of the truck but it's more than a little annoying!

- rlw19, Chesterton, IN, US

problem #1

Mar 242014

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,323 miles

I just wanted to let everyone know that apparently the gm dealer sees these transmission problems often. The wear plates etc were severely worn.

- mr2, Bossier, LA, US

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