New to GMC trucks, a couple buying questions

articctbill · September 11, 2015

Hi all,

I just signed up for this forum. I am going to test drive a 2015 Sierra 1500 4x4 tomorrow. Never owned a GMC before. I have been reading this forum and the whole vibration issue has me a bit spooked to be honest. Mostly because there really doesn’t seem to be a fix in some cases.

What I couldn’t seem to find out is how many of these trucks are affected? Does anyone have any idea? Is it one in ten, a small handful, certain configurations? Or does it seem random.? I read through a lot of threads but didn’t seem to see that information.

One other question that I have, on the GM extended warranties, can you buy these on-line at a discounted price? I have a RAM and I know that there are dealerships that sell the mopar warranty at a deep discount on-line. Sometimes the selling dealer will match it, sometimes not, but at least you know what the bottom line price is on purchasing it. So what would an 84month 100,000 mile platinum warranty run on a 4wd Sierra 1500?

Thanks for any help! Much appreciated.

tnchevy · September 11, 2015

Just make sure you do a test drive at interstate speeds, especially around 72 mph. I think only a small percentage are affected by the vibration but those who have it will probably disagree. I stay away from extended warranties. If a vehicle gives me headaches soon after the warranty runs out then I would probably not by that brand again. Anything major will probably happen within the first year/10k miles.

galliher_nc · September 11, 2015

I've had three of these trucks. None of them vibrated. I don't believe the vibration issue is as wide-spread as this forum would have you believe. You have to remember GM sells 40,000+ of these things every month, they aren't all going to be perfect. You also have to understand that most owners with problems will seek out a place to vent or find help and advice on getting their issue fixed. Owners that are happy with their truck don't typically go online to tell everybody how awesome it is, they just drive it and enjoy it. Everybody whom I've talked to that has a new Sierra or Silverado loves it, and has nothing but good things to say.

With that said, the guys with vibrations seem to complain about them most at 40-45 MPH and 70-75 MPH. So, I'd recommend trying to cruise around in whatever truck you're looking at around those speeds and see how it rides.

It's random. Crew, double, reg cab, 5.3L or 6.2L it doesn't really matter.

I'll also add in the crappy shifting transmissions are a much bigger problem than the vibrations, as they affect every truck built.

Newell33 · September 11, 2015

Be sure you test drive at varying speeds and conditions. Some say it's a small percentage, but then others say that 4 or 5 out of the 6 or 7 that they test drove at various dealers vibrated at 70 to 74 mph to some extent.

articctbill · September 11, 2015

Thanks all for the responses, much appreciated. I will get it on the highway during a test drive. I can get to a 65 stretch pretty easily.

I guess that I would be trading one crappy shifting truck for another haha. My Ram was pretty good and then a couple months ago started getting a lot of weird shifts and dropped into limp mode once but never threw a code. My wife said get rid of it, I figured there should be some good deals out there this time of year. If I get a good deal I will go with it, if not I will take mine back to the dealer, I still have some factory powertrain warranty on it. Can't buy a 2015 Ram Quad cab right now, all are on stop sale for an air bag issue. I like the looks of the GMCs.

I have never bought an extended warranty on anything, but with all the electronics on vehicles today I have been thinking about it. If I get another truck I need to try to keep this one for awhile.

Again thank for all the help.

mikedege · September 11, 2015

My truck shifts perfect, not a clunk. So smooth I cant even tell its shifting. Just saying.

Good luck, I think you will love it.

-Mike

galliher_nc · September 12, 2015

My truck shifts perfect, not a clunk. So smooth I cant even tell its shifting. Just saying.

Good luck, I think you will love it.

-Mike

My 8 speed is 1000x better than my 6 speeds were, but it still has a few clunks and bucks here and there.

articctbill · September 13, 2015

Went and drove a 1500 Sierra today. Nice truck I liked it, was featured how I like. Took it out on the highway, got it up to 70, guess what the steering wheel started shaking. I was very dissappointed, thought it was maybe just me but my wife said she could see my hand shaking. It was noticable, but not terrible. Drop down to 60 and smooth as silk. It wasn't flat spotted tires, it was a fresh truck, 8/15 build and 2 miles on it when we got in. It had the Bridgestones on it not the goodyears.

I am pretty sure I could get them where I want on the truck, but now I am concerned, does this often get worse? The salesman who was actually pretty laid back and was fine to deal with was just kind of like, well is it something you can live with? In a way I think he ws being honest not being sure it is something they can get out of the truck. or he was just pretty laid back altogether.

A lot of threads I read seemed to indicate that it get's worse with time. Is that generally true? Not sure which direction I will go now....

Thanks again for the help.

galliher_nc · September 13, 2015

Went and drove a 1500 Sierra today. Nice truck I liked it, was featured how I like. Took it out on the highway, got it up to 70, guess what the steering wheel started shaking. I was very dissappointed, thought it was maybe just me but my wife said she could see my hand shaking. It was noticable, but not terrible. Drop down to 60 and smooth as silk. It wasn't flat spotted tires, it was a fresh truck, 8/15 build and 2 miles on it when we got in. It had the Bridgestones on it not the goodyears.

I am pretty sure I could get them where I want on the truck, but now I am concerned, does this often get worse? The salesman who was actually pretty laid back and was fine to deal with was just kind of like, well is it something you can live with? In a way I think he ws being honest not being sure it is something they can get out of the truck. or he was just pretty laid back altogether.

A lot of threads I read seemed to indicate that it get's worse with time. Is that generally true? Not sure which direction I will go now....

Thanks again for the help.

I'd drive a few others and find one that doesn't vibrate. Believe me, you might be able to live with it now, but it's something you'll get tired of eventually. I've traded out of vehicles over less.

robvas · September 13, 2015

Didn't notice it on any of the ones I test drove or either of the two I owned. Try a couple different roads.

Newell33 · September 13, 2015

Do yourself a huge favor and find another truck. It's not like GM is being easy to deal with on these issues. Sometimes road force balancing the tires and wheels helps, but most of the time the vibration remains. Find one that doesn't vibrate and enjoy it.