Issue #14404: Transmission Clutch Wave Plate

[Michael G]

I'm very frustrated about how GM denied an extended warranty coverage case on a well known production issue of their 2008 GMC Acadia (and many other models, see list and bulletin). Up until now I was very happy with my car and even considered upgrading soon but the way GM handled and communicated my case is careless and completely unacceptable.

On Aug 6, while literally on the way to the airport for my family vacation to Europe, the check engine light came on and we had to take the airport shuttle instead. After returning in September I had the car towed to the dealer who diagnosed a faulty 35R transmission clutch wave plate. A quick internet search turned up service bulletin #14404 (https://gm.oemdtc.com/TSB/SB-10057962-6560.pdf) describing this issue as a common and well known defect in many early models (including mine), as a matter of fact grave enough to extend the warranty to 10 years and 120,000 miles. I called GM customer engagment who bluntly denied the warranty because it had expired 2 weeks prior the diagnose. This is upsetting because the mileage on my Acadia is way below 120,000, the problem originated long before the expiration date and there wasn't any communication that would have notified me of that issue or triggered a sense of urgency to bring in the car before going on vacation.

I strongly believe that it is GM's responsibility to rectify this well known issue under the extended warranty conditions given the above described circumstances. I'm happy to provide further evidence (plane tickets, diagnosis report) and look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem within the next 3 days.