Build Date/Options of Trucks with Problems

hotrodz37 · February 10, 2014

I have seen this buried in other threads with no real answers given. As someone who is about to go through a buyback and be put in 2014 truck I wanted to ask a few questions and try and get a consensus.

I have been following the shake and vibration issue thread as well as seen all of the other "problem" threads with the 2014 trucks and two questions came to mind when I get put in a new truck.

1) Is there a common build month of the trucks that seem to have the vibration issues? Does it pertain to the earlier trucks or is it sporadic and can't be pinpointed?

2) Is there a common drive train that is having problems. Ex: Crew cab, short bed, 5.3L, 20" wheels, 2wd, 4wd etc.

Just trying to see if there are any commonalities between the trucks that are giving their owners the most problems.

Thanks!

VMaxtastic · February 10, 2014

Mine was built in December 2013. No vibration, except under heavy acceleration. It has stranded me twice. Once due to the starter condensation thing, and once due to the frozen exhaust flapper. Havent had the vibration addressed yet, but if i know gm at all, they will tell me its "normal".

jcastyo · February 10, 2014

Mine has a build date of August 2013. I am having the vibration issues from about 45-75+, it seems really bad at the 70+ mark.

Crew Cab short bed, 5.3L, 3.42 gears, 20" wheels, 2wd

I had the Crew Cab 4.3L and that one I don't recall it having any vibration on it at all.

haider320 · February 10, 2014

Built in October w/20" wheels, 3.42's. 2wd. Smooth as a baby's butt at all speeds. I have no other issues people have complained about either.

2016 Sierra Owner · February 11, 2014

Build August 2013, 2WD, Double Cab, 3.42s, 20" wheels. Smooth riding truck at all speeds. No Vibration. 2 Recalls 1 for pass seat frame and 1 for fire reprogramming. Took longer for me to drive to the dealer then they had my truck around back to fix. No other issues so far!

Dnt · February 11, 2014

December 11th 2013 build date GMC Sierra Crew cab SLT Z71 4x4 5.3 3.42 20in wheels all stock very smooth with 2600 miles so far no vibration or other problems. A friend riding with me made the comment that he thought the transmission shifted funny but I was used to that coming from a 2009 and expected some subtle strange shift patterns with the 6 speed trans LOL.

Are they still putting this exhaust flapper in on the later builds? Sure sounds like a future problem just waiting to happen do I need to have that cut out or will GM be doing that soon themselves?

hotrodz37 · February 12, 2014

Mine has a build date of August 2013. I am having the vibration issues from about 45-75+, it seems really bad at the 70+ mark.

Crew Cab short bed, 5.3L, 3.42 gears, 20" wheels, 2wd

I had the Crew Cab 4.3L and that one I don't recall it having any vibration on it at all.

Did the truck vibrate when you test drove it, or has it developed over time? i as because I will be test driving trucks in the near future and want to know if even smooth on the initial drive, if it will surface over time? Thanks!

jcastyo · February 12, 2014

Did the truck vibrate when you test drove it, or has it developed over time? i as because I will be test driving trucks in the near future and want to know if even smooth on the initial drive, if it will surface over time? Thanks!

I did notice a slight shake during the test drive but dismissed it as probably sitting for a while. Only had 6 miles on it and dealer had the truck since probably early Sept and the test drive was January so I figured it did not get taken out very often. I think it has only slightly gotten worse from initial test drive.

The truck was taken to dealer last Saturday and they did find that both rear tires were bad. They were only able to replace 1 of them because out of the 3 tires they had in stock, only 1 was good. Will take it back this Saturday for the other tire and for balancing. Hopefully this takes care of most of the shake, I am not expecting it to completely go away since I have seen countless posts of tire replacements not fixing it 100%

Good luck with the test drives, just look for it from about 40ish on up especially at highway speeds.

hotrodz37 · February 12, 2014

Thanks jcasyo, I appreciate the quick reply. I have a 2013 they are replacing with a 2014, because mine wont quit vibrating so I would hate to go from one vibrating truck to another.

mroma23 · February 12, 2014

My situation is very similar to yours as well, trying to go the buy back/trade exchange route. My truck was built 6/2013, vibrated a little on original test drive and I also attributed to sitting/ flat spots. Bought 12/30/13 so it was possible.

If I were you make sure there is no drone, vibration, all the radio and climate control led's work, stay the hell away from goodyear assurance tires. They were all out of road force spec from the factory and got worse the more you drive. My driveshaft was out of balance as well. If you can get the newest build date possible and it drives well do that.

Curious how you got to the buy back? What steps did you have to take?

hotrodz37 · February 13, 2014

My situation is very similar to yours as well, trying to go the buy back/trade exchange route. My truck was built 6/2013, vibrated a little on original test drive and I also attributed to sitting/ flat spots. Bought 12/30/13 so it was possible.

If I were you make sure there is no drone, vibration, all the radio and climate control led's work, stay the hell away from goodyear assurance tires. They were all out of road force spec from the factory and got worse the more you drive. My driveshaft was out of balance as well. If you can get the newest build date possible and it drives well do that.

Curious how you got to the buy back? What steps did you have to take?

My truck has been in the shop 5 times and about 25+ days for the vibration with no resolve. We have gone through 4 sets of tires, 2 sets of wheel and had every run out spec checked on the truck and no luck. My guess is it might be the drive shaft but they say the run out is within spec. It could be out of balance or the yolks not welded on straight, but that's not up to me to decide. GM got involved around the 4th time in the shop and gave it one last attempt again with no luck. Seats vibrate like a spin cycle washer as soon as you hit around 68mph. I guess GM is stepping up and trying to make the consumer happy without having to go through lemon law. A large part of this is with the dealer's help, which I am lucky enough to have a fantastic one. If any of you are in Central FL, pm me and I can give you the name of my dealer.

gmissed · February 13, 2014

Where can one find the build date for their truck? I looked on the door and the glove box and don't see a date.

VMaxtastic · February 13, 2014

Its actually not on the door, but on the panel where the door closes. Below the drivers seat kinda thing

gmissed · February 14, 2014

Its actually not on the door, but on the panel where the door closes. Below the drivers seat kinda thing

Thanks I found it, mine was made 11/13.

Dnt · February 15, 2014

My truck has been in the shop 5 times and about 25+ days for the vibration with no resolve. We have gone through 4 sets of tires, 2 sets of wheel and had every run out spec checked on the truck and no luck. My guess is it might be the drive shaft but they say the run out is within spec. It could be out of balance or the yolks not welded on straight, but that's not up to me to decide. GM got involved around the 4th time in the shop and gave it one last attempt again with no luck. Seats vibrate like a spin cycle washer as soon as you hit around 68mph. I guess GM is stepping up and trying to make the consumer happy without having to go through lemon law. A large part of this is with the dealer's help, which I am lucky enough to have a fantastic one. If any of you are in Central FL, pm me and I can give you the name of my dealer.

Holy Moly 4 sets of tires? I have been paying closer attention to mine build date 12-11-2013 and have in fact noticed a slight shake now that I have over 3k on the truck. If it gets worse I am going to buy a set of Michelin's and replace the Good (BAD) Years that came on the truck. They are simply putting the same crappy type tires back on your truck right?? See if they will foot the bill for a set of top of the line Michelins for you and please let us know if they do that for you so I can GIT SUM TOO Bet that will fix your problem . GMC Sierra Crew Cab SLT Z71 4x4 5.3 3.42 gears 20" good (bad) year all terrain tires