2014+ owners having issues with their truck?

VMaxtastic · February 9, 2014

Yeah even my 2000 4.8 litre with 430,000 km didnt blow black smoke. It makes me uneasy.

TxTruckMan · February 9, 2014

is there a loss of power and mpg now as a result of this reprogramming of the ECM due to fire recall? Seems like GM could be facing some hefty legal ramifications if fuel economy takes a nose dive and/or there is a drastic reduction in power output.

Hyundai and Kia had to pay out close to $400 million.

Huh? H/K had to pay out all that money because they were just blatantly lying about their fuel economy results. A couple people complaining about possible FE changes on their first tank after a reprogram is completely different. I had the recall done and have noticed no difference in performance.

Some people on this site are just too hung up on fuel economy. "It's -40*, heavy snow coming down, 10 minute remote start, 30mph headwind, I'm in 4x4 low and I can't get 22mpg. WTF?"

YMMV - look it up.

Silverado Steve · February 9, 2014

I haven't noticed black smoke coming from mine and as you can see from my avatar, i park daily on an incline. Im waiting until Spring to complain about gas mileage...I'm averaging about 14.2 with highs in the low 30s on average and lows in the teens, plenty of remote starts and constantly in "auto" 4wd. My Tacoma was averaging 15/16 before i sold it. Winter mileage always goes in the tank.

20L8TSierra24 · February 9, 2014

If you've had the "fire Update" GM fattened the mixture, hence the black smoke. Others have reported a significant loss in MPG. I have also, but I would say it's a combination of extreme cold temperature, my new exhaust and a lead foot and the new calibration.

Mike

Mine did it before the flash 3 weeks ago too though. It doesn't really bother me though lol.

2happyhicks · February 9, 2014

Huh? H/K had to pay out all that money because they were just blatantly lying about their fuel economy results. A couple people complaining about possible FE changes on their first tank after a reprogram is completely different. I had the recall done and have noticed no difference in performance.

Some people on this site are just too hung up on fuel economy. "It's -40*, heavy snow coming down, 10 minute remote start, 30mph headwind, I'm in 4x4 low and I can't get 22mpg. WTF?"

YMMV - look it up.

what are you talking about??? Its not -60 its 20 to 30..im not it 4x4 auto low or high..and there are no 30mph head winds... on the trip to the dealer before the update I had 23.6 average.. within 100 miles after the update..average had already fallen to 18.8... Don't tell me something isn't wrong....(or different).. glad yours is "apparently unaffected"

20L8TSierra24 · February 9, 2014

Mine dropped 1-2 mpg and that's on flatland down here in FL. I don't really buy trucks for the gas mileage though. That being said, if they don't adjust the mpg ratings, I feel they should issue owners the difference in fuel costs back to us for bad marketing... Ford did it with my mother in laws c max. They got $600 back.

2happyhicks · February 9, 2014

Mine dropped 1-2 mpg and that's on flatland down here in FL. I don't really buy trucks for the gas mileage though. That being said, if they don't adjust the mpg ratings, I feel they should issue owners the difference in fuel costs back to us for bad marketing... Ford did it with my mother in laws c max. They got $600 back.

I did buy this for fuel economy... so 6 to 8 below what i was getting is a HUGE HUGE issue for me.

20L8TSierra24 · February 9, 2014

Mine isn't as bad as yours thankfully and I hope your problem is solved quickly... I wasn't trying to offend anyone here. Regardless of fuel mileage, I was going to by a new Chevy.

kazaman · February 9, 2014

Update ..

My truck vibrates, at different speeds, however 50-75 is most severe. There is also a weird feeling in my ears, almost like a back window is half open (although it is not). The dealer test drove the truck and did feel the "sensation". Tires have been force balanced, no change. New wheels and tires from another truck (Bridgestone's) vibrated so bad the dealer pulled over to see if the lug nuts were on. Back to original wheels and tires (18" Goodyear SRA's). Dealer calls GM in, after a test drive and mechanical "inspection", no mechanical problems were found and the truck is "as designed". So the design is a truck that vibrates and "flutters"... is that what GM is after these days? Really?

Extended crank time and black smoke at initial start up has been happening since day 1, well before the "fire" recall . But only on first start of the day (yes it is cold outside, I am in Chicago). Dealer inspects truck, again no problems found 'this is normal'. Could it be oil dripping into the cylinders due to DOD? Extra fuel to start the truck? So again GM designs a truck to crank over a 5-10 times, spit some black smoke, and then idle.

Radio back lights. Again "as designed, should not be there". Although this is a convenient escape for GM, my dealer felt bad for me, ordered the part which was installed and arrived the next day. So all good there.

My other truck was a 99 Silverado 5.3 Z-71 with 273,000 miles on it, ran like a top and smooth as silk and never a puff of black smoke. Sure miss that truck.

Regarding the vibration, I believe GM knows of there is a problem here, however does not have a fix yet. At least that is what I am hoping. If this is "normal", and after the word gets around, they will have a hard time selling these trucks.

Hope for a fix soon...

VMaxtastic · February 9, 2014

Ive been pretty happy with mine, aside from having to cut that stupid flapper out so my 50k truck doesnt keep stranding me. After seen the puff of black smoke, accompanied by rough starting, I'm pretty dissatisfied. Will see what the dealer says about it.

2happyhicks · February 9, 2014

Update ..

My truck vibrates, at different speeds, however 50-75 is most severe. There is also a weird feeling in my ears, almost like a back window is half open (although it is not). The dealer test drove the truck and did feel the "sensation". Tires have been force balanced, no change. New wheels and tires from another truck (Bridgestone's) vibrated so bad the dealer pulled over to see if the lug nuts were on. Back to original wheels and tires (18" Goodyear SRA's). Dealer calls GM in, after a test drive and mechanical "inspection", no mechanical problems were found and the truck is "as designed". So the design is a truck that vibrates and "flutters"... is that what GM is after these days? Really?

Extended crank time and black smoke at initial start up has been happening since day 1, well before the "fire" recall . But only on first start of the day (yes it is cold outside, I am in Chicago). Dealer inspects truck, again no problems found 'this is normal'. Could it be oil dripping into the cylinders due to DOD? Extra fuel to start the truck? So again GM designs a truck to crank over a 5-10 times, spit some black smoke, and then idle.

Radio back lights. Again "as designed, should not be there". Although this is a convenient escape for GM, my dealer felt bad for me, ordered the part which was installed and arrived the next day. So all good there.

My other truck was a 99 Silverado 5.3 Z-71 with 273,000 miles on it, ran like a top and smooth as silk and never a puff of black smoke. Sure miss that truck.

Regarding the vibration, I believe GM knows of there is a problem here, however does not have a fix yet. At least that is what I am hoping. If this is "normal", and after the word gets around, they will have a hard time selling these trucks.

Hope for a fix soon...

Exactly... apparently myself and the other guy on this Forum from back in September and you arent crazy.. my truck has the same vibration and sound.. i think the sound is a result of the vibration "echoing" in the cab... and I believe its drive train.. either a out of balance drive shaft (front or rear) but it kind of drives me crazy.. I can turn the radio up and not hear it, but my OCD self turns it back down just to "make sure the sound is still there" Hope somehow they figure out what it is.... Ive been in conversation with Customer service and the Dealer.. and I plan on dropping my truck off until its "fixed" or I will demand my money back and or get lawyers involved.. there have been numerous issues with my truck (as well as the dealer) and I am beyond frusterated...and ready for this to be over!!!

kazaman · February 10, 2014

Ive been pretty happy with mine, aside from having to cut that stupid flapper out so my 50k truck doesnt keep stranding me. After seen the puff of black smoke, accompanied by rough starting, I'm pretty dissatisfied. Will see what the dealer says about it.

Did removing the flapper change your exhaust sound? Why did you need/want to remove the flapper?

VMaxtastic · February 10, 2014

Did removing the flapper change your exhaust sound? Why did you need/want to remove the flapper?

I removed it because it left me stranded at 4:30 AM at work in ,-32 degree weather, after being awake for about 31 hours... It freezes and prevents the truck from starting. Onstar couldn't locate me, as I was off a government maintained road(I'm in the oilpatch)... So basically they told me I was S.O.L. I just hung up on the guy, popped the hood, and disconnected the battery for 10 seconds.. Jumped in, and it fired up., reluctantly. GM service dept, later that morning, told me that GM's solution was to first, put a bolt through the flapper. If that doesn't work, they will replace the exhaust with a re-engineered version, with no flapper. I proceed to attempt to explain as to why this is an unacceptable solution for me.... It fell on deaf ears. So, I drove to my go-to muffler shop, and instructed them to cut the POS out of there, along with the stock muffler. I then got them to install a FloPro for a little more sound, since they were down there already. While he was cutting, I noticed the flapper already HAD a shiny bolt through it(double nutted).. I should have taken a pic, but had left my phone at home.

To answer your other question... I cant say whether or not removing the flapper affected the sound, due to the fact I changed the muffler out as well. It gave it a little more rumble, but I'll likely add a cat back at some point... He just didn't have one I wanted at the time.

goose hunter · February 10, 2014

Starter problems,oil pan leak, air leak in drivers side door... and hard on gas like a s.o.b.

GH

kazaman · February 10, 2014

I removed it because it left me stranded at 4:30 AM at work in ,-32 degree weather, after being awake for about 31 hours... It freezes and prevents the truck from starting. Onstar couldn't locate me, as I was off a government maintained road(I'm in the oilpatch)... So basically they told me I was S.O.L. I just hung up on the guy, popped the hood, and disconnected the battery for 10 seconds.. Jumped in, and it fired up., reluctantly. GM service dept, later that morning, told me that GM's solution was to first, put a bolt through the flapper. If that doesn't work, they will replace the exhaust with a re-engineered version, with no flapper. I proceed to attempt to explain as to why this is an unacceptable solution for me.... It fell on deaf ears. So, I drove to my go-to muffler shop, and instructed them to cut the POS out of there, along with the stock muffler. I then got them to install a FloPro for a little more sound, since they were down there already. While he was cutting, I noticed the flapper already HAD a shiny bolt through it(double nutted).. I should have taken a pic, but had left my phone at home.

To answer your other question... I cant say whether or not removing the flapper affected the sound, due to the fact I changed the muffler out as well. It gave it a little more rumble, but I'll likely add a cat back at some point... He just didn't have one I wanted at the time.

Wow.. thanks for sharing. So far no issues with the flapper, although plan on adding cat back this summer.

I removed it because it left me stranded at 4:30 AM at work in ,-32 degree weather, after being awake for about 31 hours... It freezes and prevents the truck from starting. Onstar couldn't locate me, as I was off a government maintained road(I'm in the oilpatch)... So basically they told me I was S.O.L. I just hung up on the guy, popped the hood, and disconnected the battery for 10 seconds.. Jumped in, and it fired up., reluctantly. GM service dept, later that morning, told me that GM's solution was to first, put a bolt through the flapper. If that doesn't work, they will replace the exhaust with a re-engineered version, with no flapper. I proceed to attempt to explain as to why this is an unacceptable solution for me.... It fell on deaf ears. So, I drove to my go-to muffler shop, and instructed them to cut the POS out of there, along with the stock muffler. I then got them to install a FloPro for a little more sound, since they were down there already. While he was cutting, I noticed the flapper already HAD a shiny bolt through it(double nutted).. I should have taken a pic, but had left my phone at home.

To answer your other question... I cant say whether or not removing the flapper affected the sound, due to the fact I changed the muffler out as well. It gave it a little more rumble, but I'll likely add a cat back at some point... He just didn't have one I wanted at the time.

Wow.. thanks for sharing. So far no issues with the flapper, although plan on adding cat back this summer.