Why I hate my 2014 Sierra

WendysOrBust · January 26, 2015

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)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.

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?

Its funny, I agree with most of the above.

1) The headlights are terrible because GM went cheap on the projectors. Instead of using nice glass they opted out for a cheaper "golf ball like texture" that doesn't disperse light as evenly as it should. As stated above, HID's correct this.

2)I'm not going to bash too much on GM for the infotainment controls because ALL car manufacturers have terrible touch screen controls. Its like they are five years behind in whatever technology we use in our phones and tablets. Have you used Ford's Sync screen? Easily twice as terrible with non-fluid menu system.

#3 and #8 really go hand in hand. I am convinced GM did EVERYTHING it could to get those mpg numbers. The byproduct of this is a transmission that is always upshifting and a VERY laggy throttle. There is a post on this section that shows a soft rubber mounting base under the accelerator that easily adds 1/2" to 1" of throttle play. If you "drive like a grandpa" this is perfect for you. But I like to drive with a heavy foot and I despise how it always shifts mid corner, only to down shift again afterwards.

This can be corrected with EFI live or another tuner, but it can be discussed how it would void the warranty. I'm still debating whether or not I want to go through the trouble of doing this since I only plan on keeping the truck maybe 2-3 years.

jamin87ss · January 26, 2015

Ya the radio controls on wheel can be annoying because u have to tap it twice, once to activate the screen, then to change channel, problem is screen doesn't stay up long enough to figure out that the station/song u like so u dbl tap again,

Stars_Fan · January 26, 2015

I didn't read all of the response but when I have my adjustable pedals all the way out it has 100% better feel. Sadly it's just not comfortable to have the seat all the way back to drive like that for long periods of time.

Newell33 · January 26, 2015

Wow, after reading the very first post I don't think I could have summed up the disappointment with my own truck any better (except for my Silverado headlights, which are great). My father just purchased a Ram as well, and he's very satisfied with it. I drove it a while back and couldn't believe what I had been missing. It reminded me of my 2011 Silverado. It's actually responsive to driver input, and shifts like it should. The F150 V6 Ecoboost that he traded was just as nice as far as how responsive that it was. It didn't have quite the power that my 6.2 had, but it ran pretty well for a V6.

I think we all assumed that the trucks would get better as the "transmission learned." The dealers told us that, and since the trucks and technology were new, why wouldn't we believe them? Mine is still a huge disappointment, and no different at over 9,000 miles.

My concern is that these days manufacturers are so worried about meeting cafe standards that they're doing all kinds of things to squeeze mileage out of their cars and trucks. I'm sick of the driving experience getting worse in new vehicles. My last 6 new trucks were GM, but my next truck will be from the manufacturer that can provide the best driving experience, and right now GM is by far the worst.

Stevens03 · January 26, 2015

For the OP, why did you buy it? Did you buy it sight unsean? I mean, I spent a good 1-2 hours test driving the truck and getting familiar with all the controls and the way it drove in several situations before the purchase. I can't say it's perfect but I've owned 03 (5.3L), 07 (6.0L), 11 (6.2L) and now 14 (5.3L) all GM trucks and the 14 is one of the best IMO. It's the smoothest, quietest, and gets the best mileage of any of them. With a good BB tune, I know it would be even better.

nards444 · January 26, 2015

For the OP, why did you buy it? Did you buy it sight unsean? I mean, I spent a good 1-2 hours test driving the truck and getting familiar with all the controls and the way it drove in several situations before the purchase. I can't say it's perfect but I've owned 03 (5.3L), 07 (6.0L), 11 (6.2L) and now 14 (5.3L) all GM trucks and the 14 is one of the best IMO. It's the smoothest, quietest, and gets the best mileage of any of them. With a good BB tune, I know it would be even better.

I think you also need to compare in whatever brand you buy with others, just comparing it to last 3 chevys is a bad idea as well. For starters this 14-15 model is hands and feet above the old series in every way it just is, but what does that mean if your only comparing it to chevys. I like my truck, exterior and interior is on par if not better in most categories than other brands. I like my truck and I would buy it again, but for what I like and need after owning it for a while and knowing what else is out there, I feel as if its not the best option out there if I was going to go buy a truck today. Really knowing what a truck is about is hard, even a full day with a vehicle isnt going to expose it to towing, going on a weekend camp out, or taking a cross country trip, these are the times when you figure out the downfalls and the things you dont like

tanner709 · January 27, 2015

Hard to pass up the deal I got with mine, it was one of the major influences on decision between the Sierra and the Ram.

Dealer invoice + 1% and no taxes. That combined with the maintenance program and 2 years free fluids/rotations/etc. was a no brainer.

I guess we just expect our vehicles to be a little more refined, and near perfect with a sticker price of $55-60k

simon.hed · January 27, 2015

Comparing mine to my wifes 2011 Yukon feels like one has a 4 banger and the other a big V8. No comparison at all in throttle response/perceived HP.

Changing stations on my radio is a pita compared to the previous generation (I had a 2010 Chevy), but my biggest gripe with the infotainment system is having to cycle through media sources to get to bluetooth for the connection to my phone. So I can live with that.

My biggest gripe overall with the truck is the shake I feel between 75 and 80 or so mph. But I know that is a whole other issue.

WendysOrBust · January 27, 2015

but my biggest gripe with the infotainment system is having to cycle through media sources to get to bluetooth for the connection to my phone. So I can live with that.

That's odd. I actually think the bluetooth is way better than on other vehicles I have driven. I have an iPhone 5s and the phone always connects within 10 seconds of getting in my truck. I don't keep any SD or USB media plugged in so I just have to press the "Media" button once for it to get into my phone.

jamin87ss · January 27, 2015

My phone connects before I'm even comfortable

sleblanc63 · January 27, 2015

Cheese anyone?

EChavez · January 27, 2015

Love my truck, nothing is perfect though. Only things that truly annoy me are the rattles/squeaks in the interior. The infotainment could be a bit better and I honestly have 0 idea why they haven't added rear ac vents. My damn 07 had them..anyways. Other than that I absolutely love my truck. I do wish they had an option for the Tahoe/Yukon tech i.e; heated rear seats, blind spot mirrors, push to start, keyless entry, etc. etc. But it turns heads & the 6.2 is a beast!

tanner709 · January 27, 2015

Love my truck, nothing is perfect though. Only things that truly annoy me are the rattles/squeaks in the interior. The infotainment could be a bit better and I honestly have 0 idea why they haven't added rear ac vents. My damn 07 had them..anyways. Other than that I absolutely love my truck. I do wish they had an option for the Tahoe/Yukon tech i.e; heated rear seats, blind spot mirrors, push to start, keyless entry, etc. etc. But it turns heads & the 6.2 is a beast!

What do you mean by rear AC vents, like in the center console, facing the rear passengers?

The ducts are at the foot level behind driver/passenger seat - I find them to be enough for circulation.

EChavez · January 27, 2015

What do you mean by rear AC vents, like in the center console, facing the rear passengers?

The ducts are at the foot level behind driver/passenger seat - I find them to be enough for circulation.

Exactly what I mean, I thought those were enough too but I never sit in the back, my passengers do & in the summer if my AC isn't on full blast with the two vents by the center console facing the back of the truck they'll complain a lot.

nards444 · January 27, 2015

Exactly what I mean, I thought those were enough too but I never sit in the back, my passengers do & in the summer if my AC isn't on full blast with the two vents by the center console facing the back of the truck they'll complain a lot.

Agreed Ive had people back there that have said they are hot. Luckily I rarely have people back there. But when its hot, people in the back usually have to be hot or I have to be cold up front