2015 Canyon - Hesitation/Gear Searching

Surf75 · March 29, 2015

I have had my new Canyon for about a month now and love it. I made the switch to GM from an '04 Dakota I had for 11 years. Making the change from a 4.7L V8 to a 3.6L V6 in a mid-size truck is hardly noticeable with the VVT engine. However, I have noticed some slight hesitation or gear searching when going up an incline or from simply letting off the gas on a level road and then giving it gas again. The truck seems to struggle to find the proper gear sometimes. It's almost like the computer is trying too hard to find the most fuel efficient way to deliver power. (Coming from my old V8, when I hit the gas I expect power not hesitation then power). I wanted to reach out to forum members to get some insight and opinions on whether or not this is something others are experiencing or a unique issue I'm having or if this is to be expected from the 3.6L VVT. Thanks!

Chris · March 29, 2015

How many miles? The transmissions go through a learning phase

Surf75 · March 29, 2015

Just rolled over 900mi

SouthernSilveradoGuy85 · March 29, 2015

Ya it's probably still in learn mode. My '14 Silverado's trans acted a little weird at first. It would shift hard, but then after somewhere between 1K and 2K miles the trans is smooth as silk and haven't had any problems since then which I have just under 11K on the truck now. Also I'm sure your trans has a TQ management like mine where it will seem to hesitate and not give full power from a stop and that's to protect the trans and axles from dumba**es like how I use to drive.

SteveBBB · March 29, 2015

Adam is there any other info you can give about the new truck? Likes, dislikes. I'm pretty sure a Canyon or Colorado will be my next truck. My biggest concern is interior room and ride quality.

Surf75 · March 29, 2015

Steve: Ride quality is top notch. The steering, turning raidius and responsiveness is very tight, making it a nimble vehicle in the city. The 4wd auto feature is convenient and capable in the last few snow storms we had here. As far as interior room... I think it's got ample room. I'm about 6' and have had adult passengers in the back with no complaints. (compliments actually). Overall I love the truck.

Pinnacle · March 31, 2015

Steve: Ride quality is top notch. The steering, turning raidius and responsiveness is very tight, making it a nimble vehicle in the city. The 4wd auto feature is convenient and capable in the last few snow storms we had here. As far as interior room... I think it's got ample room. I'm about 6' and have had adult passengers in the back with no complaints. (compliments actually). Overall I love the truck.

Keep us updated on this issue, I haven't seen anything you are experiencing on the internet with regards to these new trucks, still too new.

Surf75 · April 3, 2015

Update

Here's what the manual says about the shifting issues I'm experiencing...

D (Drive) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load ,driving on steep hills, or driving off-road. Shift the transmission to a

lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too often. Down shifting the transmission in slippery road conditions could result in skidding. See“Skidding”

under Loss of Control on page 9-5 . The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving conditions in order to reduce rapid

upshifts and downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is designed to determine, before making an upshift, if the engine is able to maintain vehicle speed by analyzing

things such as vehicle speed, throttle position, and vehicle load. If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the

transmission does not upshift and instead holds the current gear. In some cases, this could appear to be a delayed shift, however the transmission is operating normally.

The transmission uses adaptive shift controls. The adaptive shift control process continually compares key shift parameters to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored

in the transmission’s computer. The transmission constantly makes adjustments to improve vehicle performance according to how the vehicle is being used, such as with

a heavy load or when the temperature changes. During this adaptive shift control process, shifting might feel different as the transmission determines the best settings.

When temperatures are very cold, the transmission's gear shifting could be delayed providing more stable shifts until the engine warms up. Shifts could be more noticeable

with a cold transmission. This difference in shifting is normal.

rgwekwert · May 20, 2015

I just bought a Canyon and have around 800 miles on it. I am glad I read it is still in learning mode. I am having the same transmission issue: where it is not sure it knows when to shift. THere have been a couple time it was a very hard shift that kind of surprised me.

rgwekwert · May 27, 2015

So, I am at a little over 1100 miles and the transmission is getting better. I have not had any surprise shifts and it seems to be getting smoother except on the entrance ramp to the highway - still learning...

Bobw - Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

shortnugly · June 9, 2015

Good to hear, I'm taking a real hard look at the new Canyon.

bobps47 · July 19, 2015

I bought a new canyon crewcab longbox 4x4 slt......i love this truck.....

..3200 miles so far...handling and responsiveness is phenomenal.....averaging about 23mpg in total.....

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

ColoradoFL · December 22, 2015

Just wanted to for warn everyone that GM posted bulletin #PIP4112Q regarding Sag or Hesitation on Acceleration. It was posted on September 16, 2015. My 2015 Colorado LT is experiencing moderate to severe hesitation concerns. It's progressively getting worse. I first brought it back to the dealership to have it checked out around 4500, 10,000, and 12,000 miles. Each time they claimed they can't do anything because the diagnostics reveal no trouble codes, although, per aforementioned bulletin, there's proof that a problem exists. I inquired if it could be a mechanical issue, but they refused to because no diagnostics produced no codes/proof. Therefore I contacted GM regarding the concern and am in a tussle right now with the issue.

Surf75 · December 24, 2015

Just wanted to for warn everyone that GM posted bulletin #PIP4112Q regarding Sag or Hesitation on Acceleration. It was posted on September 16, 2015. My 2015 Colorado LT is experiencing moderate to severe hesitation concerns. It's progressively getting worse. I first brought it back to the dealership to have it checked out around 4500, 10,000, and 12,000 miles. Each time they claimed they can't do anything because the diagnostics reveal no trouble codes, although, per aforementioned bulletin, there's proof that a problem exists. I inquired if it could be a mechanical issue, but they refused to because no diagnostics produced no codes/proof. Therefore I contacted GM regarding the concern and am in a tussle right now with the issue.

Going through the same thing now with GM. I don't buy the whole "It's normal operation of the vehicle" response. I have since opened a case with NHTSA. I don't think this shifting issue is safe and hopefully GM will have to address the issue with a recall or update of some sort after a federal investigation. I'll post any progress.