GMC Jimmy transmission failure 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 Jan 13, 2007 · Transmission · 84,309 miles · MI

I have a 2000 gmc jimmy 4wd. It has a hd towing package. At 84,300 miles my 4le60 transmission went out. The sun gear went bad. The sun gear is the main gear in the transmission. I have never raced the truck, or towed a trailer, or went 4-wheeling with it. I paid 1,400 dollars to have it rebuilt. By looking online it seems that this is a common failure to this transmission. What recourse do I have?

Filed Oct 20, 2006 · Suspension, Transmission · 48,000 miles · WV

First the transmission went out and I had to have it rebuilt...then, I had to replace a ball joint...now the other one has to be replaced. The mechanic says it is too dangerous to drive. These repairs are not cheap and premature! Prior to having the transmission rebuilt I had it put on the machine and it sent out several different codes that had to be corrected...nevertheless, we still had to replace the transmission...also, the four wheel drive gets stuck periodically.

Filed Sep 8, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · MN

Transmission failure / replaced transmission - upper & lower ball joint failure / replaced upper & lower ball joints - rear window wiper failure / inoperable at this point - extremely expensive replacements with no old parts available at this point. Events leading up to failure I can only attribute to severely poor manufacturing of products, there was no operating misuse or abuse. Also other parts that have failed and have since been replaced are the: alternator, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and cooling system failures.

Filed Apr 26, 2005 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · OH

Automatic transmission failure at 83,000 miles . Transmission shop said they saw alot of these jimmy with same problem, lost reverse first, then drove it to shop , in first geer. 1 week and about $2000.00 for parts and labor.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Transmission · MN

Consumer's vehicle lost reverse, 1st and 3rd gear. *la the consumer stated the transmission failed again.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 67,000 miles · AL

I purchased a 1995 gmc jimmy with 37,000 miles in 1997. I started having problems with it shifting around 50,000 miles. I had never towed anything with it. I had the transmission fluid and filter changed to see if it would help. The dipstick was rusted very badly and the fluid was milky and burned. I had a transmission shop check it that told me it needed an electronic shift control module. I had it replaced but it didn't help. At 67,000 miles the transmission failed completely. I purchased a goodwrench transmission from a dealership in my town thinking this would be the best thing to do because it had a 3 year 50,000 mile warranty. The transmission cost $1350 and the installation cost $100. This was a reputable transmission shop. I also removed the radiator and had it completely rodded out and the transmission cooler replaced to make sure everything was ok. At 104,000 miles, approximately 40,000 miles on the goodwrench transmission, it started shifting badly. I had the fluid and filter changed again. Same thing, dipstick very rusted and fluid milky and burned. I contacted the dealership and my warranty had run out by exactly one month. I contacted the gm corporation and was told there was nothing could be done. I have driven the vehicle having to let out of the throttle in order for it to shift from first to second gear until now. Now this transmission has completely failed. I changed the fluid and filter myself this time to see if it might work. The fluid was burned again with only about 8 or 9 thousand miles on it. I began researching and have found a lot of owners having the same exact problems as I have had. I have been told gm has come out with a new valve body to fix this problem. This tells me that they know there was a defect in the first place. If you go to www.thecomplaintstation.com you will find many other owners with the same problem as me. Larry rogers, 707 claire st., gadsden, al. 35901, (h)256‑546‑2502

Filed Jun 14, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · 67,000 miles · AL

Transmission failed at 67,000 miles. Rust on dipstick. Transmission fluid burned. Bought goodwrench transmission and had it installed. This cost $1450. Now this transmission has failed with only 40,000 on it. Same problem as before, rust on dipstick and fluid burned. When I contacted general motors they said there was nothing they could do. I'm asking for help. I've read several other complaints about rust on dipstick and in transmission. I'm afraid to spend more money on this thinking it might happen again. Pleas look into this. Thank you.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Transmission · 38,000 miles · MN

I purchased a 2000 gmc jimmy with 34000 miles on it and at 38000 miles the transmission failed. The sun shell granaded as the service people at gmc dealership put it. Now with 83000 miles the transmission did the same thing. Is there something wrong with the sun shells? Is anyone else having this problem. All of my miles are highway miles and I have all my maintanence records to prove that I do scheduled maintanence on my vehicle. I also do not abuse my vehicle and do not tow anything. I'll go broke if the vehicle requires a new transmission every 40000 miles. Each time it cost approx. $4,000.00 to fix. Can anyone help? Thank you

Filed May 30, 2002 · Transmission · FL

While in motion, the transmission failed. Consumer felt vehicle make a small shudder, approx. 30 seconds later another shudder was felt throughout the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to service center where it was determined that the shell fractured inside the transmission causing severe damage.