5.3/3.42/6sp Complaints

2011Chevy · August 20, 2011

My 1500 CC 2wd LT with the 5.3/3.42 and 6sp auto has, thus far, been slightly disappointing.

It's got 15,000 miles on it, all put on by me, and in that time has been in the shop twice for a transmission issue that the dealer cannot nail down. Also, the AC has gone to blowing VERY hot air on 2 different occasions, only to go back to normal operation a day or two later. Dealer could not pinpoint the cause of that issue either.

I tow (max 3500lb load) maybe 4 or 5 times per year. The transmission shifts very hard and often times with a loud clunking noise, mostly in city driving and stop and go traffic, and that is when it's unloaded and not towing anything at all!

I've probaly owned 8 or 10 trucks in the past, including 1500's with the 5.3 and 4sp tranny (no issues there), and an assortment of Dmax/PSD equipped trucks, as well as F*rd and D*dge gassers-none of which had these sort of transmission characteristics.

Anyone experiencing the same issues, or any other complaints with your 1500 that is equipped like mine?

I'm thinking of trading up to a 2500HD in the coming months.

sic lsx · August 20, 2011

15k on mine not 1 one complaint~

dogzapper · August 20, 2011

Love mine to death. Best danged truck I've ever owned, by a long shot.

The 5.3/3.42 - Six-Speed 6L80E ... ROCKS

Steve

BlackZ71Silverado · August 20, 2011

No complaints here. I was only disappointed after getting back in it after driving my dad's V-Max.....Guess my only complaint is getting the 5.3, won't happen again though, 6.2 next for me!!

sic lsx · August 20, 2011

not mater what u drive ford,dodge or any other truck your going to find some bad ones

Stevens03 · August 20, 2011

My 1500 CC 2wd LT with the 5.3/3.42 and 6sp auto has, thus far, been slightly disappointing.

It's got 15,000 miles on it, all put on by me, and in that time has been in the shop twice for a transmission issue that the dealer cannot nail down. Also, the AC has gone to blowing VERY hot air on 2 different occasions, only to go back to normal operation a day or two later. Dealer could not pinpoint the cause of that issue either.

I tow (max 3500lb load) maybe 4 or 5 times per year. The transmission shifts very hard and often times with a loud clunking noise, mostly in city driving and stop and go traffic, and that is when it's unloaded and not towing anything at all!

I've probaly owned 8 or 10 trucks in the past, including 1500's with the 5.3 and 4sp tranny (no issues there), and an assortment of Dmax/PSD equipped trucks, as well as F*rd and D*dge gassers-none of which had these sort of transmission characteristics.

Anyone experiencing the same issues, or any other complaints with your 1500 that is equipped like mine?

I'm thinking of trading up to a 2500HD in the coming months.

You can always find a bad apple in the bunch. Doesn't mean they're all like that. I've been extremely pleased with my 6-speed and overall everything about the truck.

2011Chevy · August 21, 2011

Don't get me wrong, I've had mostly good luck with GM trucks until this one. They are still my #1 choice, just curious if anyone else has had the same experiences with this model.

danziger · August 21, 2011

Wife has a 2004 5.3 Sierra with the 4spd and I just bought a 2001 with the 5.3/6spd. I will say that the acceleration difference is noticable and the shifting is pretty transparent so far. Sorry to hear that you are having issues with your...that's a crappy feeling.

Fallz · August 21, 2011

Im a newbie to the bunch here .

5.3L w/3.42's and lovin it

MikeNH · August 21, 2011

The 6-speed is a great piece of hardware, I love how the truck rev-matches downshifts when you're in manual mode (I'll usually switch from M6 to M4 as I get off the highway and onto local, slower roads). No issues with mine.

brainpause · August 21, 2011

The 6-speed is a great piece of hardware, I love how the truck rev-matches downshifts when you're in manual mode (I'll usually switch from M6 to M4 as I get off the highway and onto local, slower roads). No issues with mine.

I don't have the 6sp. What do you mean about rev-matching?

MikeNH · August 21, 2011

The truck has a manual mode where you select the highest gear with a rocker switch on the shifter. If you change to a lower gear the computer blips the throttle so you don't get that jerky sensation like you would otherwise. Same as rev-matching downshifts in a manual trans.

ZmanZ71 · August 21, 2011

Love mine with that same combo. My only compaint is finding out about the 6.2 after I just purchased the 5.3. Never owned a chevy before so I just took a stab at what truck to get and I know the 5.3 has been around for a long time so I took a chance. I'm not one to be the guinny pig with all these new motors (ford). And i've owned a lot of dodge trucks, great motors but terrible transmissions. The only thing I don't really like about mine is the throttle lag from when you floor it to when the truck actually decides to downshift and move. I know a tune will fix that but I currently value my warranty.

blinke · August 23, 2011

Well, I love my '10 TX Edition with the 3.42/6sp. I have experienced the hard shifting in traffic, especially if you "romp" on it too much. Around my neck of the woods, you have to get on it or get run over, and sometimes my Chevy isn't up for it. Heat adds to the problem and all my experiences are towing nothing, hauling nothing, with one passenger.

Overall, I love the transmission, especially on the highway. It has a lot more options for passing. You can speed up slightly, moderately, or at break neck pace.

We had a '07 Z71 with the 4sp and it was much more rough and tumble. There was only one speed on passing gear - haulin' a$$ and sucking gas.

FWIW, I drove the 3.08/6sp when I was looking and wanted to take it out to pasture and shoot it: what a pig. That combo should be discontinued as it is a disgrace to the Chevy badging.

Never drove a 6.2 motor, but imagine it would be a little smoother with the 6sp.

Just my $0.02