GMT-900 common problems

chris_kucia · October 7, 2014

We have an 00 Sierra and I'm pretty familiar with the common problems with the GMT-850. Seems I've experienced just about all of them at one time or another.

My FIL just bought an 09 Silverado. He's bringing it over tomorrow night to show it off.

He's a mechanical guy, but not on the Internet, and he's getting up in years.

Would like to give him a heads up of the common problems to look for so he can get ahead of them and, if he bought from a dealer, maybe get them fixed under any warranty that he might have.

Skimmed through the board. Found wheel bearings, ball joints, slip yoke (still?!) and the fuel sending unit. Kinda aggravating that these were some of the same issues on the 850s...

Any other common problems on the 900s that seem to come up regularly?

MikeNH · October 7, 2014

Have not found any of those to be common on 900-series trucks other than the slip yoke and that's not going to go away, I just deal with it. Have not heard of any issues with ball joints beyond guys with the leveling kit, no wheel bearing issues or pumps/sending units. That's all 800-series stuff.

Some people have had oil consumption issues. The throttle or accelerator position sensor will likely fail if it hasn't already. That sensor has been the only issue on my 2011 in 67k beside some mystery smoke at start up that happened once or twice when the truck was new.

sdeeter19555 · October 7, 2014

Have not found any of those to be common on 900-series trucks other than the slip yoke and that's not going to go away, I just deal with it. Have not heard of any issues with ball joints beyond guys with the leveling kit, no wheel bearing issues or pumps/sending units. That's all 800-series stuff.

Some people have had oil consumption issues. The throttle or accelerator position sensor will likely fail if it hasn't already. That sensor has been the only issue on my 2011 in 67k beside some mystery smoke at start up that happened once or twice when the truck was new.

I had the mystery smoke issue once...I think it has to do with the amount of oil that is sucked into the intake with the PCV. All it would take would be a drip into a single cylinder to cause that puffn

cobrajet84 · October 7, 2014

I had a ball joint go out before my levling kit was put in, but have seen nothing happen since.

michigan2500hd · October 8, 2014

My 2007 had the fuel sending problem .. don't forget about oil consumption on the AFM engines. Had that issue too.

MaverickZ71 · October 8, 2014

We have an 00 Sierra and I'm pretty familiar with the common problems with the GMT-850. Seems I've experienced just about all of them at one time or another.

My FIL just bought an 09 Silverado. He's bringing it over tomorrow night to show it off.

He's a mechanical guy, but not on the Internet, and he's getting up in years.

Would like to give him a heads up of the common problems to look for so he can get ahead of them and, if he bought from a dealer, maybe get them fixed under any warranty that he might have.

Skimmed through the board. Found wheel bearings, ball joints, slip yoke (still?!) and the fuel sending unit. Kinda aggravating that these were some of the same issues on the 850s...

Any other common problems on the 900s that seem to come up regularly?

Many owners have excessive engine oil usage, seemingly caused by the AFM (where it deactivates 4 cylinders, supposedly to save fuel) causing the piston rings to become gummed up and let oil bypass.
Intake being fouled with oil [may be cured by AFM fixes (oil pan deflector and valve cover shield) and/or oil catch can]
Engine tapping sound (may be bad AFM valve lifters)
Rough idle (may be caused by fouled spark plugs due to oil usage)
Some "De-laminated" camshafts
Failing Throttle Position Sensors (bulletin to replace Throttle Body, with warranty extension)
Recall on heated windshield washer fluid reservoirs--fire hazard
6 speed automatic transmission 'hunting' gears, 1-2-3 and downshift clunks, and premature shifts into 5-6 overdrive
Driveshaft 'clunk' caused by slip-yoke
Leaking front differential driveshaft seal (4WD models)
Actual fuel mileage never meeting EPA estimates on window sticker
Overoptimistic fuel mileage reported in Driver Info Center display
'Rail rust' paint problems
Failure of the waxy frame coating and subsequent rust spots on frame
Corrosion on aluminum wheels and chrome bumpers
Impossible-to-clean black cloth seats
Creaking/squeaking door seals
Cracking dashes
Failing power door locks
Rattling door locks
Radio speaker failure (with subsequent loss of warning chimes)
Excessive wind noise, especially on right rear of crew cabs
Few front wheel bearings
Ball joints (especially if lifted)
Some with headlights dimming at idle and other electrical/PCM/grounding issues

Unfortunately, I have personally experienced most of these on my '09 Silverado (which is now being scheduled for an engine teardown and new piston rings before the warranty runs out).

As they used to say in the Marines, "that is all, but that is enough!"

mymaggiebell · October 9, 2014

u have most of it covered but there is the spring issue, peeling door handles, piston slap

20L8TSierra24 · November 5, 2014

We have a 2010 silvy and it actually got cool enough to turn on the heat last week... and we have a problem... Heat only comes out on the passenger side of the cab. Is there something mechanical that diverts the heat? If so please chime in and tell us what to look for!

GMCustomerService · November 6, 2014

We have a 2010 silvy and it actually got cool enough to turn on the heat last week... and we have a problem... Heat only comes out on the passenger side of the cab. Is there something mechanical that diverts the heat? If so please chime in and tell us what to look for!

Sorry to hear that your heat is giving you some trouble. I recognize that you are seeking advice from fellow forum members. If we can offer any additional assistance with regard to contacting your dealership, please let us know.

Andraya

GM Customer Care