Intermittent drivability issue involving the transmission during takeoff from a complete stop, most noticeable in heavy traffic and stop and go conditions. Vehicle shudders and lurches when accelerating from a dead stop, with a sensation similar to being hit from behind followed by abrupt engagement. This creates unpredictable launch behavior and raises concern for safe acceleration in traffic, including potential risk when entering intersections or merging. In addition, vehicle has a recurring squeaking noise on cold start that sounds like a belt or pulley related issue. Also experiencing an HVAC airflow malfunction where the center dash vents initially blow air, but within about 30 seconds the center vents stop and airflow shifts to lower vents and or upper dash vents only, affecting normal climate control and potentially defogging or visibility depending on conditions. Issue has been reported to authorized service centers, but the transmission concern has been difficult to duplicate and remains unresolved.
Chevrolet Corvette shudder problems
29 of the 5,049 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Corvette describe shudder or vibration when accelerating, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 29
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 13,000
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 5Transmission failure 2Harsh shifting 2Sudden acceleration 1Stalling 1Overheating 1Hesitation 1Grinding brakes 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shook and shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the failure had been constant since purchasing the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact believed that the shudder was due to the high-performance engine. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that during an alignment at a dealer, the service technician informed the contact that the shudder was a known failure caused by the transmission fluid, causing the torque converter to shudder whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed. The technician provided the contact information on TSB: 19-NA-018. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been diagnosed by the service technician using a diagnostic machine. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced severe shuddering and vibration while accelerating from a stationary position and while driving at slower speeds. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was provided with information of a TSB related to the failure. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 13,000.
Torque converter shudder and noise (definitely and issue related transmission). Around 1,500 RPM the vehicle starts to experience the shudder, shaking, and noise. Additionally there is a feeling of a surge in power, like if the vehicle shifts to an upper gear un intentionally, the vehicle launches forward occasionally (lurching forward). There is absolutely no issue while the vehicle idles, not at low or high RPM. The issue only occurs while the vehicle is in motion and at around 1,500 RPM. Using a V4 to V8 delete (Range Technology RA003B AFM/DFM Disabler) helps the issue significantly but it's still an issue. If that disabler is removed the issue is extremely pronounced. I purchased this vehicle as a used vehicle. I wouldn't have purchased the vehicle if I had the slightest idea of such a major issue with the vehicle.
GM has a well known issue with the transmission fluid used in assembly on a range of cars and dates which include my 2019 Corvette. The fluid used fails/ is defective. The process to fix the issue is to flush the fluid out and put in a different fluid. In the case of my Corvette, it actually requires a very expensive triple flush to ensure all of the original Dexron fluid has been removed and is replaced my Mobil fluid. The process is explained in an 18 page service bulletin 18-NA-355. This bulletin states that if a customer comes in complaining of shake/shudder during acceleration between 25 to 80mph or when the trans is not actively shaking, then there is no need to further diagnose. Just follow the procedure in the service bulletin. In other words, there is no need to investigate further because we already know what the problem is which is the defective Dexron fluid. This was my exact experience with the shake/shudder and the triple flush completely fixed the issue. My vehicle has 17k miles on it so this was no a normal maintenance issue nor would you expect a full flush of transmission fluid at 17k or really at any point. Perhaps adding some fluid at some point would be reasonable. Having to completely remove all traces of the assembly line fluid with a completely different fluid clearly indicates a defect in the original Dexron. The service bulletin clearly indicates GM knows that the Dexron is defective. A final note, a quick web search of this issue will bring up pages of threads of people who have experienced this exact issue. Please hold GM responsible for their error. Thanks
My 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, the transmission system along with the torque converter began to malfunction as the car seemed to change from different modes. This malfunction caused the transmission to shudder, which caused a very bad vibration while accelerating and driving between the speed of 25-70mph. These actions or behaviors by the car surely poses a control and stability risks well as a safety risk for everyone on the highway and to myself. This issue was confirmed by the GM dealership I took the car to on 8/23/2024 and they said they could not get to it until 9/9/2024 and they will have to do a triple transmission fluid flush based on a service bulletin (TSB 18-NA-335) which was issued by General Motors. My car gave me no warning by way of lights or messages within the car. I would like to know why this repair is not covered under the service bulletin since General Motors knows this is a issue with the cars.
In my 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, the transmission system began to malfunction, specifically related to the torque converter. This malfunction caused the transmission to shudder, creating a noticeable vibration during acceleration and driving. The unpredictable behavior of the vehicle due to the shuddering compromised control and stability, posing a risk to my safety and the safety of others on the road. The problem was confirmed by the dealership's service center, which performed a transmission fluid flush according to the service bulletin (TSB 18-NA-355) issued by General Motors. Although there were no specific warning lamps or messages, the shuddering symptom appeared several months before the repair. The dealership corrected the issue by performing the necessary service, which cost me $853.52, an amount I paid under protest as I believe it should have been covered under the service bulletin. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, and the dealership, acting as an authorized representative of the manufacturer, diagnosed and addressed the issue.
The transmission has a shudder issue at speeds between 60 and 80 mph. Gives the feeling of driving over rumble strips. Vehicle milage is 6200 miles. The dealership verified the issue associated with the transmission and indicated that a repair bulletin was issued by GM to correct the issue
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated that while driving from a stop, after engaging the clutch, the vehicle started to shudder and vibrate and nearly stalled. The contact pulled over into a parking lot. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the valve spring had fractured in half within cylinder #5. Further diagnostic test determined that the failure had caused damage to the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.
Shuddering occurs at speeds between 25-75 mph. GM has s TSB #18- NA-355. This bulletin accurately describes what I was experiencing. They know that there is a problem with their 8 speed automatic transmissions, but will not tell consumers about it. There should be a recall to fix all of the vehicles effected during the time of defective transmission fluid..
Related recalls
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The rear half-shaft assemblies may be missing one or more ball bearings, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left or right rear half-shaft assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N212351320.
Recall number 22V091000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Corvette shudder
Which Chevrolet Corvette years have shudder or vibration when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (10 complaints), 2016 (9 complaints) and 2019 (7 complaints).
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