2019 1500 LT 2WD CREW CAB LONG BED 5.3 LTR Rotational Whirling Noise in driveline

mlempire5 · January 26, 2020

There is a Rotational Whirling noise coming from the driveline of my Brand new 2019 1500LT. The sound resembles the sound of the transmision as it starts out in first gear and shifts into 2/3/4 etc. At about 30 mph a similar sound develops and sound like a rotational whirling of this same sound and increases in speed with increasing mph's. It gets very annoying as if there is a faint siren sound in the background constantly upon exceeding 30 mph. the rotational sound /speed increases with mph increases.

The truck has just over 5000 miles on it now, I purchased it in March 2019. The sound was faint but detectable after about the first 100 miles. It finally got to the point that I hate to drive it now. I took the truck to the service department at Quality Chevrolet in Escondido, Ca. , where I bought this truck and a few other over the last 30 years, in last December for a check engine light, only to be told by the service writer that the service department is booked up for 10 days and I would need to make an appointment. I read up about a recall that I was concerned about and asked him to make a place for it that day and I would wait for it. I knew that the process would be to connect a laptop to the truck and get the code and reflash something minor and off I would go within an hour or so, problem solved. Jordan, the service writer said he could not do that. My comment was " this dealer didn't wait 10 days to take over $40k from me to buy this truck, crappy service and I walked out.

I drove across the street to North County GMC, the service bays were just as busy there. The service writer took in my truck and asked me to leave it for a couple of hours and he would work it in and get it taken care of.

I had the truck back in 90 minutes, all fixed. It needed something reflashed just as I suspected.

These past few weeks I have been getting text messages for GM , reminding me that my oil life was less than 10 % and to make an appointment for service for my first free lifetime oil change. The app gave me a link to click on to set up a day and time. I did that, I took the truck in on the day and time scheduled and Lo and behold my friend Jordan was there. Of course, he could not find any appointment scheduled. I told him about using the app to set it up after being nagged and texted repeatedly. He told me not to use the app anymore because it is a P>O>S and does not communicate with their service dept. He did take in the truck that day as long as I was willing to leave it from Saturday until the following Tuesday, because they didn't have time to look at it for 2 or 3 days. The recalls, 5000 mile service, and the whirling noise were listed on the service request. He promised to call me after it was started. I told Jordan that I was willing to come back and ride with a tech if nobody claimed to hear the noise. There were a few recalls plus the oil change to take care of. 7 days later, after hearing nothing about the truck, I drove down to the service department to check things out. Jordan was not there, but some body else helped me and told me that the recalls were completed as well as the oil change/5000 service including a tire rotation. I asked about progress on the noise. I was told that the transmission tech could not duplicate the noise, and the truck was in a hold status. I got a hold of a supervisor and explained the non sense that was going on with the lack of communication and service. He took a ride with me and heard the noise before we got out of the parking lot. He told me that they could not duplicate the noise while the truck was running on the rack up in the air. He promised to talk to Jordan about getting this truck fixed and I would hear from Jordan on Monday. Jordan called me on Wednesday, and said they couldn't figure out the problem and that I should come get the truck and drive it until it gets worse, and then they might be able to locate the problem.

I told him that if the noise could not be located while the wheels were spinning up in the air on the rack, under no load, that putting it on a dyno was the obvious next step. He says that the dealer doesn't have one or access to one. I told Jordan to get a hold of the regional engineer/service wizard and get him in on this. I also asked for a loaner vehicle now that they horsed around with the truck for over 10 days now. He claims to not have a truck to loan me, but he might be able to find me something to drive. He was supposed to call me back shortly. Here is it Saturday, 2 weeks after leaving it for repairs, and I have heard nothing.

I bought a 2002 Silverado 2500 LT3 from them with the first year of the 8.1 LTR gas motor. Great truck except when it would go dead suddenly whenever it felt like it. It would sit for 2 hours and start up like nothing was wrong with no codes thrown. After getting towed off the freeway and assorted other places about 5 times, and horsing around with new fuel pumps, crank sensors, etc. they could never fix it and they finally bought it back. I bought a 2003 2500 LT with a 6.0 LTR and that truck ran beautifully for 175,000 miles. I Loved that truck.

I was in a car accident in a 2012 Tacoma Crew cab long bed last March, rear ended on the freeway at a high rated of speed. The frame just behind the rear leaf spring mount kinked like a pretzel. Truck was totalled.

I bought this 2019 Silverado 1500 LT 5.3 to get into something bigger because, after too many visits to physical therapy, countless pain management injections, MRI's, I am waiting for spinal surgery in my neck because my hands and arms are going numb 20 times a day.

I need this truck repaired or repurchased. Anyone else have this same issue?? I read about driveline noises in 4 x 4 's but not much about 2 WD. It seems putting it on a dyno and applying some load should be the obvious next step here. In California, most smog shops have dyno's for smog testing. How could a dealer, who offer's smog testing not have access to one??

I will be in Jordan's face on Monday, getting wheels to drive, and pushing for more than lip service to get this truck repaired?? Advise on the issue would be welcome!

Edited January 26, 2020 by mlempire5
spelling

TSchevy · January 26, 2020

You can call Chevy Customer Assistance and open a case for them to investigate. I know it’s not the quick resolution, but it will bring Chevrolet into the situation, which may help get the service center moving.
800-222-1020

bshort · January 26, 2020

I hear a transmission noise that reminds me of the first gear in an old Crown Victoria. I consider it normal. If it actually breaks, it has warranty.

mlempire5 · January 26, 2020

This is my 8th or 9th Gm truck, never have any of them have a faint siren noise sounding off in the background from the driveline, If any of the other Gm truck I had blessed me with this noise, there would not be a next one! I am 61 years old and have been in the construction business since I was 16 years old. My hearing is not spectacular thanks to air compressors, nail guns, chop saws, and the like. If the service manager could hear it before we left the parking lot, It's not normal. The noise makes my wife and grandkids haye to ride in it. For over $47,000 it better get fixed or get bought back !

I will call the Customer help number that Ts chevy offered, Thanks TS!

mlempire5 · April 17, 2020

Update on my brand new 2019 Silverado 1500. Here we are 4/16/2020, truck is still at the service department at Quality Chevrolet in Escondido, Ca.

The field engineers have looked at it repeatedly, and so far have authorized replacing the ring, pinion, bearings in the center of the rear end. Not fixed.

Engineers decided to change the outer axle bearings on the rear end. Not fixed.

Engineers decided the noise was from the rear brake rotors, replaced them. Not fixed.

Engineers decided to swap left and right axles to see if the noise changes, and low and behold the noise moved to the other side of the truck.

One axle has been ordered and has been on its way from who knows where for over a week, and still waiting.

Here we are still waiting since 1/11/2020 for GM to get this truck fixed, over 90 days and counting !

The marketing department at Quality Chevrolet sent me a email telling me interest rates are at 0 % for many many months, great time to buy a 2020 Silverado! I told them I would buy three more trucks as long as they were as reliable as my present treasured 2019 Silverado !

I did more research and discovered that this truck is actually my 12th GM truck. What a great way to reward loyalty to the brand by leaving my truck on a rack for over 3 months and through parts at it every 3 weeks or so! Absolutely no urgency from the Dealer or GM to get this truck fixed.

I started looking at consumer reviews for the new GMC Sierra 1500, Chevy Colorado, Gmc Canyon....all have horror stories listed on multiple forums.

I had a rental 2018 Colorado that was very nice to drive and ran very well. I liked that truck. Reliability is the issue. I am crazy about maintenance and get over 150,000 to 175,000 miles out my Gm trucks, but the attitude of we will get to fixing your truck when GM has time to reply to the service department is insane. I was told that GM bought back over 105 Silverado's through our local dealer here in 2019. Almost 2 per week !

If it ever gets fixed, I will let everyone know !

Brian Jones · April 17, 2020

Wow Mlempire5 Glad I did not purchase from Quality seems that they might be lacking in that department of communications. If you have been out of the truck for that long aren't you in line to file a "citrus" claim? I understand how you feel about waiting. I have had my 2019 in the shop since the 8th for an issue related to transmission and hard 1-2 shifts. Apparently they found a code require the Fuel Module to be replaced before the transmission can be looked at or the recall on the brake sensor. Going into weekend 2 without a very expensive truck.

Best to you and yours.

mlempire5 · April 18, 2020

Thanks for checking in, I forgot to mention that my earlier posts about how Jordan, the service writer at Quality, is no longer employed there.

I wondered if anyone from Gm or Quality reads these posts. When a service writer tells you the online appointment web site is a P O S, then tells you to ignore it. The online system sends 2 text messages a day for a week or longer nagging me about needing an oil change, when I showed up at the appointment I get told they will do an oil change if and only if I agree to leave the truck there for 3 or 4 days. This is a truck I bought for work, am I expected to not work for 3 or 4 day's each time I need one of my " free" oil changes.

That doesn't equate to free when I loose use of the truck.

German is the service writer handling my repairs now, I have had 2 phone calls in the last 2 or 3 weeks from him with updates. I didn't find out Jordan was gone until I made another unannounced visit to the dealer. German did take me to the truck that was still in the air on a rack. The center rear axle cover was removed and a bearing cap was off too. There is still no urgency on Quality's service department or Gm to expedite repairs. Waiting for 10x days plus for an axle is nuts. I am about to make a 4th payment on this truck while it has been unusable. I feel so lucky to have been allowed to purchase my 12th gm truck and been treated so well !!

Brian Jones · April 18, 2020

Online appointments should be in the system immediately. Unless they are still in the very dark ages. When I went to Quality they told me if you buy a car from us you get free oil changes for life on the vehicle. Given what you have said I would have lost my mind and likely informed them very loudly from the show room floor about the lack of ahem Quality. While holding the phone set to dial up the owner or the news guys.

mlempire5 · April 18, 2020

^{I put it directly in that face of Jordan when I tried to get my oil changed after making an online appointment. When he told me I would have to leave the truck for 3 days, I told him in loud and no uncertain terms, " I don't think your sales department took 3 days to cash my down payment check of over $10,000.00 when I bought the truck !! If it wasn't for the safety recalls, brakes, seat belt latch potential fire risk, I would have walked out on the spot !! I will keep everyone posted as the dance continues.}

mlempire5 · May 2, 2020

Truck is repaired. Noise is gone. I picked up the truck on 4/30/2020.

I counted 48 parts listed on the final work order. The new axle did solve the noise issue. Service manager apologized for taking " almost 4 months to fix your truck." I asked him why GM didn't authorize replacing the entire differential when the noise was located there in the beginning. I was told that was not done because the engineers want to pin point the cause, solve it, and then they have a known history of the problem after the repair is completed for future use.

I told him that I understood that reasoning, however, leaving my truck on a rack for long periods of time while engineers through parts at the noise leaves the consumer without the truck making being able to conduct his business extremely more difficult. The loaner truck can't be used in a regular way. If building materials are thrown into the truck bed and scratches the bed or bed liner, I am held financially responsible for the damage.The bottom line is the truck was in the shop for 110 days. 1/11/2020 - 4/30/2020.

"Citrus Claim" as an earlier reply so cleverly labeled it filed 5/1/2020.

Cpl_Punishment · May 2, 2020

1 hour ago, mlempire5 said:

Truck is repaired. Noise is gone. I picked up the truck on 4/30/2020.

I counted 48 parts listed on the final work order. The new axle did solve the noise issue. Service manager apologized for taking " almost 4 months to fix your truck." I asked him why GM didn't authorize replacing the entire differential when the noise was located there in the beginning. I was told that was not done because the engineers want to pin point the cause, solve it, and then they have a known history of the problem after the repair is completed for future use.

I told him that I understood that reasoning, however, leaving my truck on a rack for long periods of time while engineers through parts at the noise leaves the consumer without the truck making being able to conduct his business extremely more difficult. The loaner truck can't be used in a regular way. If building materials are thrown into the truck bed and scratches the bed or bed liner, I am held financially responsible for the damage.The bottom line is the truck was in the shop for 110 days. 1/11/2020 - 4/30/2020.

"Citrus Claim" as an earlier reply so cleverly labeled it filed 5/1/2020.

Just out of curiosity, is it still citrus after you get your fixed truck back? Wouldn't it have made sense to file 80 days ago?

mlempire5 · May 2, 2020

Truck is repaired. Noise is gone. I picked up the truck on 4/30/2020.

I counted 48 parts listed on the final work order. The new axle did solve the noise issue. Service manager apologized for taking " almost 4 months to fix your truck." I asked him why GM didn't authorize replacing the entire differential when the noise was located there in the beginning. I was told that was not done because the engineers want to pin point the cause, solve it, and then they have a known history of the problem after the repair is completed for future use.

I told him that I understood that reasoning, however, leaving my truck on a rack for long periods of time while engineers through parts at the noise leaves the consumer without the truck making being able to conduct his business extremely more difficult. The loaner truck can't be used in a regular way. If building materials are thrown into the truck bed and scratches the bed or bed liner, I am held financially responsible for the damage.The bottom line is the truck was in the shop for 110 days. 1/11/2020 - 4/30/2020.

"Citrus Claim" as an earlier reply so cleverly labeled it filed 5/1/2020.

mlempire5 · May 2, 2020

I reached out to a "Citrus" attorney at about 45 days into the repair. I was advised to keep following up on the progress of the repairs with the service manager until the repairs were finally completed. I never thought that meant 110 days in the shop before they would final fix the beast!

Attorney said that its best to wait so the completed work order details are available for review. It turns out she was right, the list of 48 parts and proof of the day the truck went in for repair compared to the date of completion, helps to determine actual and possibly punitive damages. There was also a diary on the repair orders showing how many days the truck sat on a rack without any work being done. That helps towards punitive damages. It shows the lack of urgency in getting the repairs done. GM just dragged this out way beyond any reasonable time frame. I hope this info helps somebody who is at the end of their rope trying to resolve a complicated situation.

Cpl_Punishment · May 2, 2020

Well, I certainly hope the lemon law proceedings don't cause you to trade in your repaired truck for a new one that has the whirling noise.

mlempire5 · March 19, 2021

update March 5 , 2021. Citrus suit filed as stated before in May 2020. Gm agreed to buy back the truck @ September 2020. Gm attorneys claimed Covid for their delayed response. Supposed to have been resolved within 60 days of the settlement agreement. Dealer contacted me 3/4/21 to advise me to return the truck so they could inspect it and authorize the payback check delivery. Gm lawyers blamed Covid for delays. Lemon Law lawyer forced GM to pay me back every penny I spent from the day I purchased the truck until the day I returned it to the Dealer. Every payment, every last dime, plus a nice 4 figure punitive damage penalty. Lemon law firm listed with 92127 Zip Code were amazing and ruthless with GM.

They thought of trading my 19 for a 20 or 21 is hilarious. Service manager told me I should buy a 2021, all the issues are resolved. The next day I read that the 8 spd trannys are being replaced in most 19, 20, 21 model Silverado 1500. Maybe all the issues have not been resolved, you think !!