2015 Sierra 1500 Transmision Failure

Bayvalley · June 16, 2019

On our way from Ohio to Hilton Head SC the transmission stopped changing gears in my 2015 GMC Sierra (85,000 miles) while driving through the Appalachian Mountains at night. We were able to make it to a town with a GM dealer in SC before the truck stopped and would not engage into any gear. We checked into a Marriott Residence Inn, but by that time of night the rental car agency and GMC dealers were closed. The next day, Sunday, we contacted the only car rental opened that day (Enterprise) and rented the only pickup truck they had available, a Ford F 150. We needed a truck due to the amount of luggage and kayaks that we were carrying. We spent two nights in a hotel waiting for the GMC dealer to open on Monday then had the GMC Sierra towed to the GMC serive center. There the repair was performed under warranty. We timed our return from Hilton Head to pick up the repaired truck on Friday . The truck required a new torque converter and transmission repairs due to metal fragments from a torque converter failure. We were informed by the Master tech at the GMC Service Center that the torque converter failure is a know issue in my model truck due to a defective product from the vendor and that the same vendor is still the only source for that torque converter meaning there is a likelihood for recurrence. At the beginning of April I contacted GM to request reimbursement for the $529.52 rental truck expense and after review my request was denied because I “didn’t rent a GM product” . Note again that on a Sunday the only pickup truck available from Enterprise was a Ford F 150. I have now turned this over to the Ohio Attorney General. Additionally, I have recieved notice from a law firm that are collecting the information from affected 2015-2019 Sierra/Silverado owners to file a private (not class action) suit.

GM has issued a recommendation to increase the frequency of transmission fluid flushes to remove metal fragments that are accumlating from the deterioration of the torque converter . This is GM's solution to extend the life of the transmisions. Obviously if the life of the transmissions can be extended to over 100,000 miles they will be out of warranty before failure.

1SLOW1500 · June 16, 2019

I have been saying this in many posts on this and other sites. Most if not all don't listen or know a person with more mileage that is fine so that means they all are good. I have seen this on trucks with 40k miles. Gm is flushing them all in Hope to get it to live past the 100k mark. Also there ate issues with the temp these run at. Some but not all are running well hot 200or 210 as the normal temp and jumps from there at times. Again there are people arguing it is fine to 270 and that d6 is good to 240. But the pros and looks like even gm is working on a change with that as well.
In my professional opinion every 25k get a drop or a flush. I know it is a little pricey. But to that I say wait till you buy a new trans, converter,fluid, and labor $5,000-6000. Easy.

I love GM but I agree with you. Gm failed and left you to get around. Ok only option is Ford. Not on you and doesn't change the facts of the incident or that you are zero at fault. They should pay.

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MY164X4 · June 16, 2019

Thanks for all that pertinent information. Every 25k drop or flush.

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Beer Belly · June 18, 2019

I was in for an oil change at 43k, and was told that a Trans Service is due at 50k, guess I better get-r-done.

FL335i · June 18, 2019

I've been all over my trans maintenance for reasons as this right here. I did a pan drop at 42k and then at 96k. I am also running an external spin-on filter to help clean the fluid. 1slow1500 was also on my thread about deleting the 194*F trans Tstat. Even more reason now after reading this. Hate to hear it happened on vacation.

Cpl_Punishment · June 18, 2019

On 16/06/2019 at 3:33 PM, 1SLOW1500 said:

I have been saying this in many posts on this and other sites. Most if not all don't listen or know a person with more mileage that is fine so that means they all are good. I have seen this on trucks with 40k miles. Gm is flushing them all in Hope to get it to live past the 100k mark. Also there ate issues with the temp these run at. Some but not all are running well hot 200or 210 as the normal temp and jumps from there at times. Again there are people arguing it is fine to 270 and that d6 is good to 240. But the pros and looks like even gm is working on a change with that as well.
In my professional opinion every 25k get a drop or a flush. I know it is a little pricey. But to that I say wait till you buy a new trans, converter,fluid, and labor $5,000-6000. Easy.

I love GM but I agree with you. Gm failed and left you to get around. Ok only option is Ford. Not on you and doesn't change the facts of the incident or that you are zero at fault. They should pay.

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Sorry, just to clarify/ confirm: that's every 25k miles, right?

1SLOW1500 · June 18, 2019

Sorry, just to clarify/ confirm: that's every 25k miles, right?

Base it on trans temp but at stock 200-210* yes again sounds silly to many but what is a few hundred compared to being stuck on side of road and a $6000+ repair bill.

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Paintor · June 19, 2019

8 hours ago, 1SLOW1500 said:

Base it on trans temp but at stock 200-210* yes again sounds silly to many but what is a few hundred compared to being stuck on side of road and a $6000+ repair bill.

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Why i buy the kinda vehicles you can also rent for a little swaparooo if need be.

Uhaul. The other warranty.

This post is for amusement puposes only..and I just read the Guidelines an she looks A-OK. ....laughter starts here