2017 Silverado Misfires - Emissions Problems

[drummerman]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm a new member here and look forward to enjoying all the great topics on this site. But like most people, what brings me here is a problem. Here's my story...

 

In late June 2017 I purchased my FIRST Silverado. Use it mainly for my business. And I didn't skimp on this purchase, it's loaded.... And purpose built with custom ARE shell, Prime Design Ergo Rack and Cargo Glide. What turned me in this direction is my prior corporate use of Silverado. I loved that truck, it took me where I needed to go and endured much abuse. But that experience was over 10 years ago. Still, it pushed me into purchasing a Silverado. But my experience has been a bit... uncomfortable... well, except for the heated and cooled seats. 

 

Fast forward 700 miles to early July 2017 and my NEW truck just dies in the street. And I have a LOT of work to do. Stablitrak light came on and solid engine light. I hobbled it a few miles home where OnStar arranged for a tow back to the dealer of sale. Diagnosed as bad lifter at #7 and spark plug. They gave me a basic loaner for about a week. 700 miles! So I'm already hot. Asked about a buyback which they didn't act upon. Oh well... hey I owned the truck for two weeks, right? 

 

Get it back and truck does what it's supposed to do for about 7500 miles. Fast forward to Nov 2017, where I go in for a complimentary oil change at my local dealer (not sale dealer, but shouldn't matter... right?) and they do an update for the transmission control module... because they show it needs to be done. Business as usual... until I start getting check engine and stablitrak lights about twice per week, if not more.  Happens sometimes when taking corners, occasionally uphill as well. The ride is increasingly getting worse. Vibration and hesitation at idle most prominent and still very noticeable when driving. Truck lunges from complete stop and seems like late shifting from rear when coming to a stop. Strong drop is the only way I can describe it. You know it's bad when your daughter asks if the truck is supposed to feel "like this" when she's sitting in the passenger seat. Most times the lights go off in 3-5 minutes, which I guess is the computer correcting the engine. But why should I have to put up with this on a NEW truck? 

 

A few weeks pass and I take it to same local dealer week before Christmas only to be told to make an appointment and drop it off. I told them I can't predict when the truck is going to act up, how I can make an appointment for that? I did make appt for 7AM day after Christmas, where they had the truck for two days and unable to duplicate problem. No loaner.  I pick it up and it is getting worse. Misfire on cylinder 8 now they say.... that whole P0300 code thing.

 

Finally get a solid engine light for the past weekend so I think it's the best time to take another stab at diagnosis. But on Monday the light is GONE. Kinda pissed but leave it anyway, fearing a waste of time. As I write this my truck has been at my local dealer the last 3 days. I demanded a loaner which they gave me but it has been raining like crazy in SoCal so no work for me anyway. The last update from them was that they cannot duplicate the problem.

 

Right now I'm really hoping it will die in the street again so at least I won't be wasting my time trying to get my truck fixed in between times... but I don't want a catastrophe either.

Mileage 8829. Owned a little over 6 months. 

 

Any suggestions on what I should do next? I'm ready to drive this off a cliff, although it's a great truck.... when it works.

 

If you got this far, thanks for your time and any help you can offer 

 

Drummerman

 

[Jsdirt]

Yikes ... sorry to hear that!! Looks like GM is up to the same old, same old, 10 model years after my lemon was minted ... 

 

Whatever codes caused the light to come on are stored in the computer's history - they WILL see them with their factory scan tool, so that should give them direction as to where to look.  I do know it's almost impossible to fix a problem when it's not occurring, and with the way GM corporate pays their techs ( yep, they screw their techs AS WELL AS their customers!), they're never going to take the time to recreate the issue - they'd be working for free if they did, so you can't blame them there.

 

What I would do is voice your concerns with GM directly - tell them the problem, how many times its been in, and that you're not too happy about all of that, since it's your business vehicle and you never had ANY of these issues with  your older GM products. Keep calling until you get results - they need to fix THEIR problem, with minimal inconvenience to you.

[drummerman]

Thanks for the tip! I have started keeping a log of EVERYTHING so I can present to GM 90 days from now. It’s the only thing keeping me from pushing the crazy button 

[Duelin]

I wouldn't wait 90 days to contact GM. I would be on the phone now. Call them up and get a history started. And get a case number and keep adding every little problem that occurs. Just remember the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[drummerman]

Sounds good. A case number would make me hopeful anyway. Better to report direct to them and let GM keep the log!

[drummerman]

UPDATE:  SO I called GM last week, got a case number and they said an adviser would contact me... yeah, right. I couldn't wait and I called them again to followup and was transferred to my adviser... who told me that if the dealer can't replicate the problem that's the end of the road. By that time I was pretty hot and mentioned lemon law. She said they will review and should take about 8 weeks for verdict. I think they are just going to say no anyways. And then I have to get a lemon law lawyer. 

 

Buying this truck has ended up being more work than I ever expected. So much for 50k. Any suggestions appreciated 

[Jsdirt]

No reason for them to say no - they need to fix this! It's their screwup! Keep the heat on them.

[sdoyle21]

Wow what a pain.  My 2015 just broke 2 days ago on the side of the road with a broken valve spring.  I only have 14800 miles on it.  I took a video of what mine was doing so I could show them.  Next time it happens try and record it with your phone.  I posted it on a FB group and got a lot of help.  At least you will have evidence of the CEL and any other issues you can show them, or for your lemon lawyer.  It’s such bs how they treat people that spend so much money on their trucks.

[sdoyle21]

 

[drummerman]

On 1/19/2018 at 9:27 AM, sdoyle21 said:

Wow what a pain.  My 2015 just broke 2 days ago on the side of the road with a broken valve spring.  I only have 14800 miles on it.  I took a video of what mine was doing so I could show them.  Next time it happens try and record it with your phone.  I posted it on a FB group and got a lot of help.  At least you will have evidence of the CEL and any other issues you can show them, or for your lemon lawyer.  It’s such bs how they treat people that spend so much money on their trucks.

Yeah I'm with you on that. The only problem is my video is just the dash lights lol. The mic doesn't really pick up the vibration or transmission gear drops.... which is my best guess based on driving.

[drummerman]

On 1/17/2018 at 12:49 PM, drummerman said:

UPDATE:  SO I called GM last week, got a case number and they said an adviser would contact me... yeah, right. I couldn't wait and I called them again to followup and was transferred to my adviser... who told me that if the dealer can't replicate the problem that's the end of the road. By that time I was pretty hot and mentioned lemon law. She said they will review and should take about 8 weeks for verdict. I think they are just going to say no anyways. And then I have to get a lemon law lawyer. 

 

Buying this truck has ended up being more work than I ever expected. So much for 50k. Any suggestions appreciated 

UPDATE 1/24/18: GM was nice enough to call and say they are still working on the file... in the meantime.... it seems like the last week has been error free, except for one episode yesterday. I decided to put premium gas in it to see if it makes any difference on the misfire issues. So far so good.... hopefully this will go away on it's own... I really love this truck... but afraid to go out of town or tow for fear of a complete breakdown. Thanks for your helpful responses!

[drummerman]

UPDATE:  Well its back at the dealer again today. Hopefully they have enough data now to get it fixed. 

[Colossus]

thanks for the updates, keep us posted.