GMC Jimmy harsh shifting problems

Filed Jan 23, 2009 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · NY

When I got to work on tuesday morning, went to park car in space, put in reverse, clunk, no reverse, can't get out of first gear. I had to have my car towed 30 miles each way to my mechanic. Turns out the planetary gear went, need a new transmission, costing over $3000.00. After doing some research on the internet I see there are thousands of complaints on something called the sunshell gear 4160e that seems to have been a problem on many of gmc passenger cars and light duty trucks. I even came across a service bulletin they put out about the problem, but never any recall on such a problem. I have a 2001 gmc jimmy. The service bulletin runs in autos from 1993-2005. Now, I wonder, why no recall on such a huge problem. I mean it's the most costly thing to repair and happens without any warning at all. I would suggest this be looked into, I mean now I get a new transmission from gmc which I'm sure the problem is solved, but how many people have shelled out big bucks to fix this problem and mostly at less than 100,000 miles on their vehicles. Tranny's should last longer than that. I am sure I'm not the only complaint received on this subject from what I saw in my research. If it's a defect, recall it and fix it. We, as consumers work hard to have a vehicle we can rely on and to have a major problem like this happen is really not right. Obviously gmc is aware there was a problem for some time now. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Filed Oct 8, 2003 · Steering · 260,000 miles · MA

Clunking noise in front end - verified excessive play in idler arm & pitman arm.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Last week truck lost all power and I could not get my key out of the ignition,once all power was back key came loose.I have had a problem with muffler since 1st month sounds like a hole in the exhaust and makes a loud ping sound ,dealer just told me I needed to replace muffler.when in reverse and backing out of driveway a loud clunk sound from front passenger side.have lost power 2 times while driving down the street.have also noticed that when I turn anything on in the car I am losing a significant amount of power .this includes blinkers,radio,A/C ,if they are all on my volts drop to almost 11.

Filed Jul 20, 2002 · Transmission, Visibility · OH

Windshield wipers fail to actuate on an intermittent basis with no discernable pattern. Frequency of failure is increasing. When the wipers do fail sometimes they will activate after 15-20 attempts to turn them on. At times only stopping and turning off the ignition swithch and restarting the vehicle will get the wipers to activate. Transmission fbegan failing with occassional but noticable late and hard shifts from first to second gear . Engine light code scan indicated a failure of the valve body. Replacement of the valve body fixed the problem , but the addtional torque put on the drivetrain from the hard shifts most probably caused the failure of the rear u-joint as well.

Filed Jan 23, 2002 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Vehicle suddenly accelerated when idiling. Dealer has been contacted, and has replaced fuel injectors. Please provide further details.*ak the heating system malfunctioned due to heating core failure. The A/C was not blowing warm air. There was a clicking noise from the engine area because the power steering pump was leaking fluid. The vehicle leans to the left due to torsion bar out of adjustment. Front left and right axle seals were leaking. Transmission was leaking. Back window had air leak. The rear wiper sticks due to wiper motor failure. Front end makes clunking noise due to ball joint failure. There was clunk noise when shifting into gear due to rear d-shaft and u-joint failures. The intake gasket was leaking and was replaced. The throttle sticks. The serpentine belt failed and was replaced.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Suspension · WI

Upper and lower ball joints very noisy and clunking. Dealer reported very loose and dangerous. Replaced immediately.

Filed Jan 4, 2001 · Transmission · CA

Transmission slips r-3-4, hard shifting 1-2, soft shifting 3-4, leaks. Dealer is unresponsive at this time!!

Filed Dec 29, 2000 · Transmission · IL

Vehicle has experienced several transmission related failures, it experiences a hard shift from 1st to 2nd gears accompanied with the service engine soon light illuminated.

Filed Aug 15, 2000 · Suspension · NY

As I made a left hand turn there was a clunk and the truck veered to the right. I slowed and regained control and pulled on to the shoulder of the road just missing the gaurd rails. The passenger side tire was collapsed. The dealer confirmed the upper ball joint had snapped. Replaced both upper ball joints as the technician reported the driver side one was worn.

Filed Dec 27, 1998 · Transmission · TN

The automatic transmission will not shift from 1st to 2nd gear until the engine RPM's are very high. When it does shift, it will shift very hard, and clunk into 2nd. This happened after driving on the interstate at 70mph for approx. 1hour.