2019 Trail Boss 8 Speed Torque Converter Failure Only 72,000 miles!!

SummitBoss · August 31, 2023

As the title says I’m extremely disappointed with GM and this truck. I only have 72,000 miles on this truck and the torque converter started shuddering yesterday. I was praying it needed a fluid flush only, but the dealer said it needs a new converter at a price of $2,800 plus tax. WTF!!!?? This is unacceptable! I don’t even tow a camper or trailer! Within the last few days I started getting transmission shudder and was praying it needed a flush only. GM should be paying every cent for this train wreck of a transmission. I’m holding on to this thing until next year and then bye GM. Lost another customer for life.

Transient · September 1, 2023

Let's do what this subforum is intended for, "TROUBLESHOOTING".

Let's start with:

Year

Model

Engine

Transmission

Symptoms, etc.

Edited September 1, 2023 by Transient

newdude · September 1, 2023

On 8/30/2023 at 8:05 PM, SummitBoss said:

As the title says I’m extremely disappointed with GM and this truck. I only have 72,000 miles on this truck and the torque converter started shuddering yesterday. I was praying it needed a fluid flush only, but the dealer said it needs a new converter at a price of $2,800 plus tax. WTF!!!?? This is unacceptable! I don’t even tow a camper or trailer! Within the last few days I started getting transmission shudder and was praying it needed a flush only. GM should be paying every cent for this train wreck of a transmission. I’m holding on to this thing until next year and then bye GM. Lost another customer for life.

AAAAAAAAAHH!

Did you ever have the fluid replaced at all in it yet during your ownership? There's widely known issue with the original fluid they used up to about mid 2020 in where the fluid absorbs water and can exhibit a rumble strip sensation.

For them to go to the converter, that means the slip speed observed is worse than the rumble strips concern, or, they are jumping the gun straight to a converter without trying fluid first.

64BAwagon · September 1, 2023

You might try a diagnosis from a competent transmission shop rather than the dealer. Even though the converters that GM uses are a weak point. to just condemn it without a pan drop seems a little sloppy to me.

I also wouldnt drive it any more than absolutely needed until you get a shop to check it out. If the TC is in fact bad, driving it could harm the rest of the trans.

Edited September 1, 2023 by 64BAwagon

SummitBoss · September 1, 2023

5 hours ago, newdude said:

AAAAAAAAAHH!

Did you ever have the fluid replaced at all in it yet during your ownership? There's widely known issue with the original fluid they used up to about mid 2020 in where the fluid absorbs water and can exhibit a rumble strip sensation.

For them to go to the converter, that means the slip speed observed is worse than the rumble strips concern, or, they are jumping the gun straight to a converter without trying fluid first.

There is a TSB out there to diagnose the severity of slippage to see if it’s fluid or TC. They did not specify if this was performed on the call back to me. I had both slipping and the rumble strip sensation going on.

SummitBoss · September 1, 2023

5 hours ago, 64BAwagon said:

You might try a diagnosis from a competent transmission shop rather than the dealer. Even though the converters that GM uses are a weak point. to just condemn it without a pan drop seems a little sloppy to me.

I also wouldnt drive it any more than absolutely needed until you get a shop to check it out. If the TC is in fact bad, driving it could harm the rest of the trans.

I was hoping it was only a fluid issue and GM would cover based on all the issues regarding the 8 speed. I only drove two days after slippage and rumble strip sensation. Dealer was able to get me in the next day which is why I went that route.

newdude · September 1, 2023

7 minutes ago, SummitBoss said:

There is a TSB out there to diagnose the severity of slippage to see if it’s fluid or TC. They did not specify if this was performed on the call back to me. I had both slipping and the rumble strip sensation going on.

I've seen a LOT at work just need fluid, even the severe ones. We've probably replaced 2, maybe 3 converters in 8L90s and 8L45s total.

Do they have proof of the RPM slip to condemn the converter? 60rpm of slip and repeating is fluid. We've seen some higher than that too just need fluid. If they see 100rpm or more and its erratic, then yea I can see them pointing at the converter.

I still think they should start with the 8 speed GM flush procedure on that per 19-NA-121 19-NA-121 1..6 (nhtsa.gov) and see what happens afterwards.

I'm taking it you've not had the fluid changed during your ownership yet?

Edited September 1, 2023 by newdude

SummitBoss · September 1, 2023

34 minutes ago, newdude said:

I've seen a LOT at work just need fluid, even the severe ones. We've probably replaced 2, maybe 3 converters in 8L90s and 8L45s total.

Do they have proof of the RPM slip to condemn the converter? 60rpm of slip and repeating is fluid. We've seen some higher than that too just need fluid. If they see 100rpm or more and its erratic, then yea I can see them pointing at the converter.

I still think they should start with the 8 speed GM flush procedure on that per 19-NA-121 19-NA-121 1..6 (nhtsa.gov) and see what happens afterwards.

I'm taking it you've not had the fluid changed during your ownership yet?

I did not change the fluid. Honestly I thought they had this issue addressed before my model year so I wasn’t real up on it until now. I called the dealer and they said they followed the tech line procedure to diagnose. I’ll get more details today as it should hopefully be ready to pick up.

SummitBoss · September 1, 2023

10 hours ago, Transient said:

Let's do what this subforum is intended for, "TROUBLESHOOTING".

Let's start with:

Year

Model

Engine

Transmission

Symptoms, etc.

Three of those five things are in the title and symptoms are in the description. But yes, other than that it’s a 5.3 engine. If there is another section this belongs to feel free to move it.

Transient · September 3, 2023

On 9/1/2023 at 1:37 PM, SummitBoss said:

Three of those five things are in the title and symptoms are in the description. But yes, other than that it’s a 5.3 engine. If there is another section this belongs to feel free to move it.

I'm not a mod, so I can't do anything. Taking a step back, all I saw was whining. It tuned me out of everything else. Sorry for missing those details.

SummitBoss · September 3, 2023

If you don’t like it move on. Also try learning how to read. And you’re whining about me whining so get a life there keyboard warrior. Sorry for being upset about a major failure that should have been addressed years ago.

SummitBoss · September 3, 2023

6 hours ago, Transient said:

I'm not a mod, so I can't do anything. Taking a step back, all I saw was whining. It tuned me out of everything else. Sorry for missing those details.

If you don’t like it move on. Also try learning how to read. And you’re whining about me whining so get a life there keyboard warrior. Sorry for being upset about a majorfailure that should have been addressed years ago.

Transient · September 4, 2023

17 hours ago, SummitBoss said:

If you don’t like it move on. Also try learning how to read. And you’re whining about me whining so get a life there keyboard warrior. Sorry for being upset about a majorfailure that should have been addressed years ago.

You only get 1 first impression. Do you really want to be known as a whiner? Furthermore, it's quite hypocritical of you to tell me to learn to read when my 2nd post made it very clear why I missed some info in the first post, and I even apologized for it. It's apparent you're the one acting like the keyboard warrior. It would be wise for you to take your own advice and go get a life. After all, you could've simply not responded. The Irby of the whole thing is, you whine about a known "major failure" on GM's part for years yet you still bought a truck with the same transmission that has a history of a known "major failure". Clearly, something isn't clicking with you upstairs. Good luck getting your problems solved.

KARNUT · September 4, 2023

WOW, I didn’t read any whining just someone provoking. It’s reasonable to assume that a known problem can be fixed by the manufacturer and be better down the line. Cylinder Deactivation is a good example. I’ve seen a currant problem fix by the buyer, just follow Grumpy. I had a similar problem in a different brand fixed by fluid changes. Hope that’s all it is.