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Why I hate my 2014 Sierra


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Posted

That 5.3 looked super fast until you look at the speedo and realize it's 0-60 in km/h not mph

 

No it's 0-100km/hr which is 0-60mph, gauge the video the best you can watching the speedometer, it's around 5.5s. Plus the trinity is recording in MPH, not km/hr. Looking at it to me, he starts right at 46s hits 100km/hr mark around 51s.

 

Guy said his best run was 4.1 seconds 0-60 and 12.93 with a vbox at the strip. I wish he would post a video of that.

 

Also today held the button until i saw stabilitrack off as well and the emblem came on signaling in the rpm section that stabilitrack was off, but then it went away once i started driving? Does the truck automatically cut it back on?

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Posted

kicks back on at 35mph im pretty sure. watch my video you'll see it kick off.

Yup, be nice if it kicked off without having to start the process every time u hit a stop sign
Posted

Haha, poor guy doesn't know he bought a truck.

 

Everyone knows only sports cars drive as you described. And you should shoot the turd that forced you to buy a vehicle you didn't get to test drive or evaluate before making a $30k decision.

 

Did you look at a titan or tunderford? Better misconception with those vehicles, you probably would have been happier... Initially haha

  • 1 year later...
Posted

After 20+ years of being a loyal GM car and truck owner, it pains me to write this. The problem is I hate my 2014 Sierra and I can't wait to get rid of it. The truck is a 5.3L SLT with 3.42 rear. Call this a rant and flame me if you will, but it makes me feel better to get this out. I'm stuck with a $50k truck I despise.

 

Last January my 10 year old Avalanche with 135,000 miles was starting to have problems. A whole bunch of minor things that I kept fixing. No big deal. Then she started throwing tranny codes about "slipping components" so I figured it was time to replace it. Now mind you after 10 years I still loved the truck - I wish I had kept it.

 

So why do I hate my truck? It hasn't been unreliable and has only been back to the dealer for recalls and firmware updates.It just has a lot of issues that make it less than a joy to own:

 

1) The headlights are a disgrace. Nothing more to say there.

 

2) The infotainment controls and touch screen are slow and unresponsive. Just trying to change the station, I find I always overshoot the channel I want because of the delay before the screen updates. Also, having to swipe to get to the next bank of memory presets sucks. Unless you press firmly, and move slowly, it doesn't swipe. GM's software engineers have a lot to learn about making a snappy user interface. They need to learn from Apple or Android. We're used to our responsive smart phones but when I get in my truck I feel like I'm using a touch screen cash machine from 10 years ago. They updated the firmware and it got better, but it still sucks. Oh, and one more thing - FM reception is crummy.

 

3) This one is minor, but it still counts... When I start thre truck, if the radio is on and I want it off, the truck ignores my off button press for quite some time. This is just plain annoying.

 

4) The one is minor too: the tenmperature adjustment controls on the climate control are scratchy feeling and unresponsive.

 

5) This one is one of the show stoppers. The truck has absolutely horrendous throttle response - there is a delay before anyhting happens. I noticed this within seconds after taking my test drive and hated it from the start. The dealer told me it was because the truck was in "transportation mode". Imagine my dissapointment when I picked the truck up and it still did it.

 

The throttle position vs throttle opening calibration also sucks. It takes way too much pedal to get the truck moving. Several friends and family member have bought new trucks this year - none were GM, they all bought Rams. Interestingly enough, all test drove either the Silverado or Sierra and didn't buy them. The main reason was the Ram felt much more powerful. They told me the GMs felt sluggish or slow. I recently drove a 2015 Hemi and It doesn't have the throttle response issues anywhere near as bad. Part throttle was night and day different than my Sierra. At wide open throttle the Ram was faster, but not substantially so. I can see why my friends and family rejected the GM.

 

I have a theory why GM used this throttle strategy which I'll talk about below. The GM dealer claims it's because the vehicle is drive by wire. I know this isn't the case. My Avalanche was drive by wire and it was WAY snappier than the Sierra. My wife's old 2009 3.6L Malibu was also drive by wire and it was crazy snappy!

 

5) The accelerator pedal placement vs the brake pedal. The gas pedal is a long reach heightwise with respect to the brake pedal. This makes the poor throttle response feel even worse! It also requires the driver to pick up their foot to move it to the brake pedal.

 

6) The flimsy accelerator pedal. My truck has adjustable pedals. The gas pedal moves all over the place. The whole assembly deflects when you step on it. This makes the truck feel even more sluggish.

 

7) Gutless engine below 2000 RPM. This wouldn;t be so bad if the transmission didn't force the engine to be there 99% of the time.

 

8) Now for the worst issue: the transmission. All in all it's obsessed with getting into the highest gear possible as soon as possible. You take your foot off the gas because traffic is slowing and it immediately upshifts. Now, when traffic starts to move again, it has to downshift. This is VERY annoying in slow traffic. It also does this when turning a corner. The truck is never in the right gear after you turn. It is gutless when trying to accelerate out of a corner unless you step harder on the gas. That results in, you guessed it, a downshift! Why did it upshift in the first place? Isn't there enough technology on board to know I'm turning a corner?

 

Getting back to transmission issues, the shifts don't happen instantaneously. That compounded with the sluggish throttle response means that the truck doesn't do much for a second or two after you step on the gas. Of course a downshift can't be completely seamless, so that slight lurch becomes annoying at times. In traffic it's upshift, hesitate, downshift over and over again on my 20 mile ride to/from work in traffic.

 

There's a hesitation or lurch whenever the engine comes out of V4 mode, especially when it transitions from V4 to V8 mode during a downshift. You'd think I'd put this in an engine issue category, but I'm not on purpose. It's all tranny related - read on.

 

I complained to the dealer about this and asked them if there was any revised calibration they could load. He said I had the latest calibration after reflashing the truck twice: once for abrupt shifts, the other for potential exhaust overheating. He then went on to say the transmission works like a manual tranny. I didn't ask what he meant by this, but after a few weeks of thinking about it, I figured it out...

 

Unlike the older GM transmissions, the torque converter doesn't just lockup at cruise. That thing is locked up most of the time! OK, so what you might ask? Well, let's talk about what a torque converter does. First, it allows slip between the engine and transmission. When it's slipping, overall efficiency goes down, but torque multiplication occurs. The latter is a good thing. Secondly, the torque converter acts as an effective cushion against driveline shock. It looks like, in an attempt to get every MPG out of thre truck, GM chose to lock the converter during acceleration. OK fine.

 

The EPA is making the car manufacturers do a lot of half baked things to get their CAFE results up. But, my Sierra is a truck not an econobox. Give me the V8 power I asked for!

 

Now it all began to make sense. Since the converter is locked, slip can't occur. This means the engine is forced to lug itself on acceleration at low speeds because it's not being allowed to rev up. This also eliminates driveline cushioning. Now you see why I say the V4 to V8 transition issue is tranny related. It also explains why GM went with such a sluggish throttle response!

 

Overall, in traffic the truck feels like my first car which has flat spots and hesitation. Problem is, that car was built 41 years ago and had a crummy carburetor!

 

Remember how automatics used to be? You stepped on the gas and the engine revved up? Try this in your 2014 truck. When it's warmed up, step on the gas. But enough to cause a downshift though. Do the RPMs jump? Nope. It's just like stepping on the gas in a manual transmission car.

 

I'm really hoping and praying GM's engineering team comes to their senses and releases a new calibration for this truck that can fix this. I don't care if I lose MPG around town!!!! I wonder if the aftermarket can fix this? Blackbear, Diablew, etc? I'm willing to give up my powertrain warranty to have a truck I can stand!!!! PM me if you can help...

 

I've always noticed that the truck drives great when it's first started on a cold day. A few days ago I realized that the converter WASN'T being locked until the tranny warmed up. Slip was occuring, the truck felt more responsive, part throttle acceleration was better, etc.

 

9) Brakes are mediocre. They're suffieicnt, but it takes too much pedal force to slow down. This seems like a "GM thing" since I've felt that way about every GM vehicle I've had.

 

10) Engine sound. OK, so now I'm nit picking. Much like my Avalanche, the stock 5.3, doesn't much sound like a V8 unless you really get into it. The part throttle sound, while certainly quiet, really doesn't have a pleasing sound. It sounds more like a groan than a powerful V8. I'm not sure what I'm hearing. The tranny? The brake's engine driven vacuum pump? Whatever, it doesn;t have a sweet sound.

 

11) The heated seats are weak at best.

 

OK, I'm sure there are a few more things I can add, but I'll call it a night.

 

Cheers!

John

Ya I here these 14+ GM trucks are junk we have thee at work and there complete junk so is my 2013 Chevy Silverado it's got a 5.3 and it can't even make it between oil changes without needing oil also left me stranded at 27 000km and tons of problems including transmission lines and engine oil cooler lines leaking to 11 mpg average broken leaf springs list goes on. In 9 months I'll have it paid down to were I can sell it for what I have left owing then it'll be sold and I'm either going to by a Dodge or a Tundra next never in my life with I buy another piece of junk GM. I'm leaning towards a 5.9 Cummins 6spd manual next there getting cheap.

After 20+ years of being a loyal GM car and truck owner, it pains me to write this. The problem is I hate my 2014 Sierra and I can't wait to get rid of it. The truck is a 5.3L SLT with 3.42 rear. Call this a rant and flame me if you will, but it makes me feel better to get this out. I'm stuck with a $50k truck I despise.

 

Last January my 10 year old Avalanche with 135,000 miles was starting to have problems. A whole bunch of minor things that I kept fixing. No big deal. Then she started throwing tranny codes about "slipping components" so I figured it was time to replace it. Now mind you after 10 years I still loved the truck - I wish I had kept it.

 

So why do I hate my truck? It hasn't been unreliable and has only been back to the dealer for recalls and firmware updates.It just has a lot of issues that make it less than a joy to own:

 

1) The headlights are a disgrace. Nothing more to say there.

 

2) The infotainment controls and touch screen are slow and unresponsive. Just trying to change the station, I find I always overshoot the channel I want because of the delay before the screen updates. Also, having to swipe to get to the next bank of memory presets sucks. Unless you press firmly, and move slowly, it doesn't swipe. GM's software engineers have a lot to learn about making a snappy user interface. They need to learn from Apple or Android. We're used to our responsive smart phones but when I get in my truck I feel like I'm using a touch screen cash machine from 10 years ago. They updated the firmware and it got better, but it still sucks. Oh, and one more thing - FM reception is crummy.

 

3) This one is minor, but it still counts... When I start thre truck, if the radio is on and I want it off, the truck ignores my off button press for quite some time. This is just plain annoying.

 

4) The one is minor too: the tenmperature adjustment controls on the climate control are scratchy feeling and unresponsive.

 

5) This one is one of the show stoppers. The truck has absolutely horrendous throttle response - there is a delay before anyhting happens. I noticed this within seconds after taking my test drive and hated it from the start. The dealer told me it was because the truck was in "transportation mode". Imagine my dissapointment when I picked the truck up and it still did it.

 

The throttle position vs throttle opening calibration also sucks. It takes way too much pedal to get the truck moving. Several friends and family member have bought new trucks this year - none were GM, they all bought Rams. Interestingly enough, all test drove either the Silverado or Sierra and didn't buy them. The main reason was the Ram felt much more powerful. They told me the GMs felt sluggish or slow. I recently drove a 2015 Hemi and It doesn't have the throttle response issues anywhere near as bad. Part throttle was night and day different than my Sierra. At wide open throttle the Ram was faster, but not substantially so. I can see why my friends and family rejected the GM.

 

I have a theory why GM used this throttle strategy which I'll talk about below. The GM dealer claims it's because the vehicle is drive by wire. I know this isn't the case. My Avalanche was drive by wire and it was WAY snappier than the Sierra. My wife's old 2009 3.6L Malibu was also drive by wire and it was crazy snappy!

 

5) The accelerator pedal placement vs the brake pedal. The gas pedal is a long reach heightwise with respect to the brake pedal. This makes the poor throttle response feel even worse! It also requires the driver to pick up their foot to move it to the brake pedal.

 

6) The flimsy accelerator pedal. My truck has adjustable pedals. The gas pedal moves all over the place. The whole assembly deflects when you step on it. This makes the truck feel even more sluggish.

 

7) Gutless engine below 2000 RPM. This wouldn;t be so bad if the transmission didn't force the engine to be there 99% of the time.

 

8) Now for the worst issue: the transmission. All in all it's obsessed with getting into the highest gear possible as soon as possible. You take your foot off the gas because traffic is slowing and it immediately upshifts. Now, when traffic starts to move again, it has to downshift. This is VERY annoying in slow traffic. It also does this when turning a corner. The truck is never in the right gear after you turn. It is gutless when trying to accelerate out of a corner unless you step harder on the gas. That results in, you guessed it, a downshift! Why did it upshift in the first place? Isn't there enough technology on board to know I'm turning a corner?

 

Getting back to transmission issues, the shifts don't happen instantaneously. That compounded with the sluggish throttle response means that the truck doesn't do much for a second or two after you step on the gas. Of course a downshift can't be completely seamless, so that slight lurch becomes annoying at times. In traffic it's upshift, hesitate, downshift over and over again on my 20 mile ride to/from work in traffic.

 

There's a hesitation or lurch whenever the engine comes out of V4 mode, especially when it transitions from V4 to V8 mode during a downshift. You'd think I'd put this in an engine issue category, but I'm not on purpose. It's all tranny related - read on.

 

I complained to the dealer about this and asked them if there was any revised calibration they could load. He said I had the latest calibration after reflashing the truck twice: once for abrupt shifts, the other for potential exhaust overheating. He then went on to say the transmission works like a manual tranny. I didn't ask what he meant by this, but after a few weeks of thinking about it, I figured it out...

 

Unlike the older GM transmissions, the torque converter doesn't just lockup at cruise. That thing is locked up most of the time! OK, so what you might ask? Well, let's talk about what a torque converter does. First, it allows slip between the engine and transmission. When it's slipping, overall efficiency goes down, but torque multiplication occurs. The latter is a good thing. Secondly, the torque converter acts as an effective cushion against driveline shock. It looks like, in an attempt to get every MPG out of thre truck, GM chose to lock the converter during acceleration. OK fine.

 

The EPA is making the car manufacturers do a lot of half baked things to get their CAFE results up. But, my Sierra is a truck not an econobox. Give me the V8 power I asked for!

 

Now it all began to make sense. Since the converter is locked, slip can't occur. This means the engine is forced to lug itself on acceleration at low speeds because it's not being allowed to rev up. This also eliminates driveline cushioning. Now you see why I say the V4 to V8 transition issue is tranny related. It also explains why GM went with such a sluggish throttle response!

 

Overall, in traffic the truck feels like my first car which has flat spots and hesitation. Problem is, that car was built 41 years ago and had a crummy carburetor!

 

Remember how automatics used to be? You stepped on the gas and the engine revved up? Try this in your 2014 truck. When it's warmed up, step on the gas. But enough to cause a downshift though. Do the RPMs jump? Nope. It's just like stepping on the gas in a manual transmission car.

 

I'm really hoping and praying GM's engineering team comes to their senses and releases a new calibration for this truck that can fix this. I don't care if I lose MPG around town!!!! I wonder if the aftermarket can fix this? Blackbear, Diablew, etc? I'm willing to give up my powertrain warranty to have a truck I can stand!!!! PM me if you can help...

 

I've always noticed that the truck drives great when it's first started on a cold day. A few days ago I realized that the converter WASN'T being locked until the tranny warmed up. Slip was occuring, the truck felt more responsive, part throttle acceleration was better, etc.

 

9) Brakes are mediocre. They're suffieicnt, but it takes too much pedal force to slow down. This seems like a "GM thing" since I've felt that way about every GM vehicle I've had.

 

10) Engine sound. OK, so now I'm nit picking. Much like my Avalanche, the stock 5.3, doesn't much sound like a V8 unless you really get into it. The part throttle sound, while certainly quiet, really doesn't have a pleasing sound. It sounds more like a groan than a powerful V8. I'm not sure what I'm hearing. The tranny? The brake's engine driven vacuum pump? Whatever, it doesn;t have a sweet sound.

 

11) The heated seats are weak at best.

 

OK, I'm sure there are a few more things I can add, but I'll call it a night.

 

Cheers!

John

Ya I here these 14+ GM trucks are junk we have thee at work and there complete junk so is my 2013 Chevy Silverado it's got a 5.3 and it can't even make it between oil changes without needing oil also left me stranded at 27 000km and tons of problems including transmission lines and engine oil cooler lines leaking to 11 mpg average broken leaf springs list goes on. In 9 months I'll have it paid down to were I can sell it for what I have left owing then it'll be sold and I'm either going to by a Dodge or a Tundra next never in my life with I buy another piece of junk GM. I'm leaning towards a 5.9 Cummins 6spd manual next there getting cheap.
Posted

I loved my 14 GMC, my DD before that ( and I still have) was a 92 Chevy 383, whipple sc, dart, MSD, stag 2 trans etc.so I'm used to response and power. I did have a tune for the trans and ran e85, but it wasn't that bad before that. If I hated my ride that much I would trade it in, when they were running those truck month deals they all run evey other month. Usually the knock off 10-12K, to off set your depreciation. I would suggest test driving the hell out of your next ride, some of those things you mention should have shown up right of way.

Posted

I read through OP's complaints and I had some of the same complaints so I took action!! I just traded my 14 SLT 5.3 6spd for a 16 Denali 6.2 with the 8spd. This 6.2 is a total beast compared to the 14 5.3 The 6.2 and 8 spd seems perfectly matched and throttle response is very pleasing to say the least. My local dealerships were knocking 20% off MSRP and giving 2k over book tradein for a 2014 trade with over 60k miles, I could not pass up the deal and I am very happy with my decision. If you have a 14 and some of those same complaints just take your checkbook over to your local GMC dealer and get yourself 6.2 Denali before the July 4th sale is over............ and STOP UR BITCHIN

 

And oh yeah and the 6.2 gets BETTER gas mileage than my 14. GREAT JOB GM

 

Posted

I read through OP's complaints and I had some of the same complaints so I took action!! I just traded my 14 SLT 5.3 6spd for a 16 Denali 6.2 with the 8spd. This 6.2 is a total beast compared to the 14 5.3 The 6.2 and 8 spd seems perfectly matched and throttle response is very pleasing to say the least. My local dealerships were knocking 20% off MSRP and giving 2k over book tradein for a 2014 trade with over 60k miles, I could not pass up the deal and I am very happy with my decision. If you have a 14 and some of those same complaints just take your checkbook over to your local GMC dealer and get yourself 6.2 Denali before the July 4th sale is over............ and STOP UR BITCHIN

 

And oh yeah and the 6.2 gets BETTER gas mileage than my 14. GREAT JOB GM

attachicon.gif16 Denali 6.2 8spd.JPG

 

 

I would have to agree with you. I have no experience with a 2014, to be fair to the OP.

 

I got a 16 Sierra Premium Plus (@ 15% off) --- 20% happened 10 days after I closed the deal on mine :banghead: --- BUT, that's the way my luck usually goes.....

 

Mine has the 5.3l w the 8sp.

 

I came from an '07 tuned 5.3 / 4 speed. It was an absolute beast.

 

This one, I have no issues with the trannie and response. In fact, eventho it's a 5.3 and not a 6.2, i find it deceptively quick, smooth, and able to pour it on when asked. And this is with no aftermarket tuning/tweaking like i did on my last one.

 

I, for one, am pleased. I can't share any of the frustrations of the OP on my '16. Either they have cleaned up their act since '14, or the OP got one of the unfortunate "red headed step children" that do roll out of plants every now and then,,

 

This is not to take away or marginalize the OP what so ever. If I were that fed up, I'd cut my losses and move on to be sure. All of that being said, find a good service department ( I assume here the OPs truck is still under warranty), drop it off with a check list of issues, insist on a loaner truck, and refuse to accept it back until all issues are resolved. Be firm and polite, but do NOT take anything but satisfaction as an outcome.

 

It sucks, but sometimes must be done.

 

Just my $0.05

Posted

I love my 2014 Sierra DD 4x 4 with 5.3 and 3.42 rear end..........the minor issue about the lights I had them fix.....I know how to press the accelerator when I need the 365 HP (20 hp more than my 2008 Ram Hemi) This truck passes highway traffic much better and smoother than my Hemi did. I also see no problem with heating or radio, and transmission works fine and no shake..........sorry the OP got a lemon or is extra anal .

Posted

I had my 2014 for two years the only issue was a seam failure in the drivers seat which is common for the 2014's.

 

No complaints other than the weak headlight but I could live with that.

 

I Just traded it on the same truck in a 2016 and hope I have the same luck with this one I'm am enjoying the added features in the new truck.

 

I will also say the 2016 does shift better than the 2014 did but it's not night and day just better.

Posted

I love my wife, had the same model over 46 years and she's a keeper.

 

I only like my vehicles.......max. 3 years and they'll be dumped for younger, prettier models, sooner if they give me any grief.

Posted

Denali before the July 4th sale is over............ and STOP UR BITCHIN

 

And oh yeah and the 6.2 gets BETTER gas mileage than my 14. GREAT JOB GM

attachicon.gif16 Denali 6.2 8spd.JPG

 

 

I love that Denali display. Half the reason I would upgrade but not there yet.

 

 

Will add to thread that my 2015 5.3 does not seem to be very sluggish at all? I do have to give it some pedal around the corners but I just figured that was the whole one wheel needs to speed faster than the other thing and from a stop the rear diff is not helping out much.

 

Was much changed between the 2014 and 2015 in this regard? I drove a 6.2L Supercharged Z06 and that was just intense. While fun as shit I do not need anything that is trying to kill me on a daily basis.

  • 2 years later...
Posted

I know it's an old thread.... came here searching for others with a possible transmission slip issue and found this thread. I agree with several points of OP.  We all agree on the headlights.  I thought only the pedals annoyed me but seems like a safety issue having the brake pedal stick out farther then the gas pedal, but the transmission.....Glad to know it is not just me that thinks it slips and shifts extremely oddly.

Posted

Guess I shouldn't have posted anything yesterday.  Two hours ago my truck developed a huge shudder like a tire was way out of balance, pulled over and it smelled like slipping clutch.  It's now in the dealer's hands.  I normally keep my truck VERY clean but of course I went to the hunting camp last weekend and got a little bit of mud on it for the first time since I've had it, which breaks my cardinal rule of taking a dirty truck to the mechanic.  All at 89k miles.....

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    • At peak temperature.  They get to cool down and warm up more, especially those with the external cooler.  I have three GMT900s and one of them has over 225K on its original transmission.  Fluid gets changed about every 36K miles, all of it.     It's not the bean counters, it was the government.  They had to meet CAFE standards and other government requirements.   To get around that, we tune them and modify them to our liking.
    • Our customers' safety isn't something we take lightly. To ensure you get the proper assistance for your truck's repairs, please fill out the form at https://s.chevy.com/support-request with all pertinent details including your username.
    • We appreciate you sharing your experience with your truck. To ensure we get you the proper assistance, please fill out the form at https://s.chevy.com/support-request with all pertinent details including your username.
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