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2016 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission complaints

Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 85, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 3, 2021 · Transmission · VA

Torque converter went out causing hesitations which led to the entire transmission needing replaced.

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · NE

When placing the truck in Drive, there is a very hard 'clunk' between first and second gear. Additionally, when driving, the truck shakes/shudders, mostly on the highway, but sometimes in town when driving between 25 and 70 m.p.h. The first instance was in March, 2019 whereby the dealer indicated this was normal operation for this transmission. As it seemed to get worse, I took it back and was told the transmission fluid was the wrong type and I had to pay to get it evacuated and changed out, even though this was an error on GMs part.

Filed Oct 27, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · MI

I purchased the 2016 GMC Sierra new. From the very start I felt there were issues with the transmission. I took the truck in for the shaking, vibrations and clunking in the trans with 5058 miles. Over the next 36 months I had the truck in 7 times and 3 different dealerships to get the trans fixed. Only once did they really do anything where they changed the fluid. I lived with the issues after the warranty expired as GM would not do anything to fix it. Now at 66,000 miles the vibrations have gotten so severe I am afraid to drive the truck. At no point has the truck not had vibrations, only they have increased. And now I have had 2 check engine warnings both dealing with the trans.

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · TX

-Engine gas consumption states 21 MPG Highway, 17 MPG combined and 15 MPG City. -When I started using vehicle during the first weeks and months the best MPG I could geta at the highway was 18.5 MPG with top-tier gas. -Ever since I bought the vehicle, the gas MPG have gone down around 0.5 MPG. The vehicle feels that it has to use more gas in order to perform the level of task everyday. -The motor oil pump at times moves down from the 40 mark to the 20 mark when idle at traffic light and it starts moving, it temporarily goes to the 60 mark. At other times when idle it stays in the 30 mark. -The transmission is an 8 speed automatic. It has issues shifting 1st and 2nd gear, and at times 3rd gear as well. When driving at slow speeds like in a traffic jam, mall parking, do a u turn or when you slow down at the traffic light and then turns green and you start accelerating again it feels harsh on gearing up and down. -This vehicle has the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, it turns on even at slower speeds and you feel how the engine and transmission struggle to accelerate, go a gear up and push the vehicle with only 4 cylinders. Like in manual transmissions when you accelerate on a higher gear than the correct one, it takes forever to accelerate and properly change to 8 cylinder and establish the correct gear and ratio. -Even if all 8 cylinders on it it feels like if I am running on a smaller engine. -There was a fix done to the transmission for a valve, but the vehicle still runs the same as before. -There is a knocking noise starting to build in the engine. Best mileage I can get driving the same and gas is 13 MPG combined. -The recent safety recall for the breaks is actually making the breaking worse than before. -My vehicle is 2016 GMC Sierra All Terrain V8 5.3L 4WD Z82 with 36,500 miles on it and is doing all this and its getting worse little at a time.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Transmission · AL

This complaint follows the same pattern for thousands of vehicles manufactured by General Motors. The specific component is the 8L90 (RPO-5MU) 8-speed transmission. The vehicle has experienced torque converter shudder since the purchase date of 06/28/2016. Numerous "attempts" via TSBs and cover-ups by General Motors has failed to alleviate the common shifting, shuddering, rough shifting, LURCHING out of control along with appurtenant damage to adjacent components and structures within the vehicle itself. The vehicle manufacturer has attempted to forestall remedy at the expense of consumers. It has knowingly violated specific requirements for merchantability of said vehicle. IF SUCH KNOWLEDGE had been in my possession prior to purchase, I would NEVER have purchased the subject vehicle. Damage to torque converter components via polluted fluid and destructive particles caused by torque converter malfunction are situated throughout the entire structure of the named Transmission itself. Valve bodies. Gears. Filters, Fluids and tolerances have all been affected by the KNOWN DEFICIENCY by the stated manufacturer: General Motors Corporation. General Motors has shown neither the desire; nor will, to effect a meaningful and reliable solution to this problem.

Filed Aug 23, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · TN

Experienced error code of P0307 after vehicle backfired while on highway. Check engine light and stabilitrak lights immediately turned on and vehicle was shaking violently. Immediately took vehicle to an independent shop to have it looked at. After running diagnostics, pressure tests, and bore scope. It has been determined that piston in cylinder 7 is a complete loss and has a 0 pressure reading. From talking with shop owner he said he sees this issue quite often with GM vehicles due to DOD or AFM (active fuel management) that GM has on their engines. I'm at just shy of 67k miles, out of warranty, and needing to replace the engine.

Filed Jul 2, 2021 · Transmission · TX

Sudden jerking while traveling at low speeds. This jerking / shuttering happens while traveling forward, reverse, and coming to a stop. Hard shifting while driving. I've never owned a 4x4 before and thought this was normal when I purchased the vehicle. After reading about this it seems like a known problem for Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac. Link below for exact issues going on with my truck. https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/08/tsb-seems-to-fix-8-speed-automatic-gm-transmission-problems/

Filed Jun 27, 2021 · Transmission · CT

The transmission failed on my vehicle while going highway speeds. The vehicle shifted into neutral and I was force to pull onto the shoulder. The check engine light came on and would no longer drive without the vehicle being turned off and then back on. It would still repeat this problem over the next 2 miles while I traveled to an exit to get to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and inspected. An internal problem was found and the whole transmission has to be replace at about 79000 miles.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Suspension, Transmission · MO

The truck shakes on right side, it has done this in the past and was taken into the dealer for repair it worked for a few months then it was back and not it has returned again. it is to the point that if feels unsafe to drive

Filed May 17, 2021 · Engine, Seats · TX

-Engine gas consumption state 21 MPG Highway, 17 MPG Combined and 15 MPG City. When I started using this vehicle during the first weeks and months the best MPG I could get at the highway is 18.5 MPG with top tier gas such Shell & Chevron during the first 2 years and now Costco brand. Every since I bought it, the gas MPG have gone down around 0.5 MPG. The vehicle feels that it has to use more gas in order to perform. -The motor oil pump at times moves down from the 40 mark to the 20 when idle at traffic light and when it starts moving, it temporarily moves to the 60 mark. -The transmission is an 8 speed automatic. It has issues shifting to first gear, second gear and times 3rd gear. When driving at slow speeds like in traffic jams, mall parking lots or when you slow down at the traffic light and then turns green and you start accelerating again it feels harsh on gearing down and up, like someone rear ended your vehicle. -This truck has the Active Fuel Management (AFM) and it turns on even slower speeds and you feel how the engine and transmission struggle to really gear up and down. Like it never gears and tries to accelerate at a higher gear. Like in manual transmissions when you accelerate on a higher gear than at correct own it takes forever to reach the needed speed. -Even if all 8 pistons are on it feels as if I am running on a smaller engine like a V6 or V4. -The driver car seat feels that move a little like an 1/8 of an inch. -It just feels that something is wrong with motor and transmission.

Filed Apr 15, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 79,000 miles · MS

While driving the vehicle home from work, the vehicle shut down in the middle of traffic on a street while stopped at a traffic light and would not move after attempting to put the truck in "drive". I had to call for an emergency roadside service (tow truck) which towed the vehicle to a gmc dealership service dept. I was told by the service technician that the transmission torque converter has disintegrated and it would cost over $5000 to repair. This vehicle did not provide any warnings (no warning signal displayed on the instrument panel) that the transmission needed servicing. I have owned this vehicle for 3 years. This vehicle needs reviewing for a recall.

Filed Mar 26, 2021 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · WA

When driving I felt a slight shift between 1 and 2. That seemed pretty normal. While driving to the ocean between 50-60 MPH there was not shifting, sharking or jerking. Once slowing down to 30-40 MPH the rpms go extremely high to 4 or 5. Pulling and jerking the vehicle. Happening around 20-30 MPH or at 40-50. The vehicle will come to a stop causing traffic disruptions and near accidents. No service or coding have been able to diagnose issue with vehicle.

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Seats, Transmission · 9,000 miles · IL

I've had movement in my drivers seat since the day I've owner the truck. Gmc put in a shim kit to address the problem but it's still acting up. They refuse to replace or repair any further. Also my transmission has a horrible shifting problem. When it's cold out or after the first time shifting into gear after sitting a long time, the truck lags to shift into gear then all of a sudden lunges forward or backwards depending on which gear I'm in. I've almost ran through my garage door and side fence and had to slam on the brakes. Gmc has looked into the issues but won't resolve them. The last 'repair' made was to change out the transmission fluid. That had helped with the hard shifting while driving but the truck still lunges forward or backwards and lags shifting into gear. I've had to learn to deal with it but anyone else who would drive my truck could seriously hurt themselves or someone else

Filed Aug 9, 2020 · Brakes, Transmission · 61,100 miles · CA

Driving on the highway brakes locked up break pedal super hard to press

Filed Jul 31, 2020 · Transmission · TX

When driving and the truck shifts gear in 30mph it starts to vibrate or jerk and the RPM just bounces up and down same thing happens in 40 MPH and 50 MPH as well I have taken it to the dealer ship in fall of 2019 and all they did was a trans fluid flush. And worked fine for a bit now the truck started to do the same thin in the begining of july 2020 and took it again to the dealer and they wanted to do the same thing they did in 2019 do the trans fluid flush. Not this time my extended warranty was not covering it because the said it was a maintenance which is not correct because gm know it was an issue and I had already done the fluch back in 2019 and the dealer didnt want to cover it ethier I would have to pay almost 500 to get it done. I dont know hat else to do

Filed May 12, 2020 · Transmission · AL

Problems with transmission jerking,hard shifting,jumping, only have 60,000 miles on it. Took it back to dealer 3 times and they told me each time it was normal. Told them I have been driving 40 years and that was not normal. They never done anything. Now I am having more problems with it, getting worse. Now I find out there is a lot of people with same problems. Gmc knows something is wrong and should take care of it.

Filed Mar 23, 2020 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving about 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered without warning. The vehicle was taken to the penske buick, gmc of south bay located at 18600 hawthorne blvd, torrance, ca 90504, (310) 853-5860, where the vehicle was diagnosed and technician changed the transmission fluid however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Feb 28, 2020 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · NY

Sometimes at certain RPM when the truck shifts it shift really hard jerking the whole truck

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · TX

8 speed transmission shudder and jerk. Have taken it to the dealership several times regarding this issue, nothing has completely fix the issue.

Filed Oct 24, 2019 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 91,000 miles · MI

Transmission has failed from 4th gear up (3) times within 91,000 miles. When going at speeds more than 50 miles an hour, the transmission will break and lose forward motion causing a safety issue with oncoming traffic. The transmission was "rebuilt" at lafontaine gmc of highland, mi (2) times and they are telling me they are going to "rebuild" it a 3rd time. Just wanted to note safety issue so when this happens in the future I will have a legal avenue.

Filed Oct 23, 2019 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc sierra 1500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle slammed and jerked into gear. When the brake pedal was depressed, there was a shutter and vibration detected in the transmission. The vehicle was taken to mac haik chrysler dodge jeep ram (12111 katy fwy, houston, tx 77079, (713) 538-2700) where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to monument chevrolet (3940 pasadena fwy, pasadena, tx 77503, (713) 473-7601), but was not diagnosed or repaired. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 9-5585814814, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2019 · Transmission · 1,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 gmc sierra 1500. While driving low speeds, the vehicle shifted up and down very abruptly and shuddered uncontrollably. The failure occurred when accelerating or decelerating without warning. The vehicle was serviced three times at cavender buick gmc north (17811 san pedro ave, san antonio, tx 78232, 210‑807‑6392) where the transmission software was re-coded and a special transmission fluid was applied to the vehicle. The failure persisted each time after it was serviced by the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Brakes, Transmission · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 a gmc sierra 1500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started wobbling. The vehicle was taken to wallingford buick gmc (1122 old north colony rd, wallingford, ct 06492, (203) 269-8741) where the brake pads on the front driver's side wheel were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and test driven. The technician diagnosed that the rotors needed to be resurfaced, the front brake pads needed to be changed, the transmission fluid needed to be drained, and the computer needed to be reset. The contact retrieved the vehicle and the failures recurred the following day. The dealer advised the contact to give the vehicle a few thousand miles to work out the failures and stated that the transmission was adjusting to the contact's driving habits. The vehicle was not repaired again and the failures were still present. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Transmission · 49,800 miles · OK

Truck lurches forward unexpectedly during slow stops such as when approaching a barrier to park, a gate, or pedestrian crossing. As the transmission downshifts, the torque increase causes the brake pressure being applied to become insufficient to stop the vehicle causing it to lurch forward up to six feet. During accelleration while highway driving the transmission may unexpectedly downshift to an inappropriate gear causing the engine rev limiter to engage and reducing power unexpectedly when it should be increasing.

Filed Jul 15, 2019 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · TX

When traveling low speeds like in a parking lot first gear jerks so bad it feels like someone rear ended you. Going highway speeds between 45 to 75 you feel vibrations coming from the transmission it feels like you're going over rumble strips. I had my transmission flushed and changed it fix the vibrations but 3000 miles later the vibrations started again.

Filed Jul 7, 2019 · Transmission · 85,400 miles · NC

I have had issues with my gmc sierra since it was new. It has jerked and clunked when I start to go and then left off the gas. There has also been a hesitation when stepping on the guess. I have taken it to the dealer several times and was told things such as: "I just needed to get use to the 8 speed transmission"," the hesitation is when the truck switches from v4 to v8". And "there is nothing wrong". Now the warranty has expired and it is getting worse. It now feels like "running over a rumble strip" or like it is "missing" and "hesitating". All of these things occur when the vehicle is in motion.

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · CA

My 8 speed transmission seem to wait too long to up shift. Will down shift at odd times. When is stop and go traffic around 5-15 MPH the truck will lurch forward when coasting or coming to a stop. When truing on the truck and going from park to reverse there will be a loud "clunk" that can also be felt causing the truck to rock.

Filed May 30, 2019 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · TX

2016 gm sierra - 85,000 miles never had many issues with jerking/jumping/braking as many have described. Went to accelerate from a stop light and the truck would not shift out of second gear. Could not get truck to shift and would then shift hard upon deceleration. Took to the dealer service department. They said the torque converter is shot and 4th, 5th and 6th gear is trashed. I only have 85,000 miles on the truck, mostly highway miles and very limited towing on the truck. Gm changed their warranty from 100,000 miles to 60,000 miles. I had an extended warranty up to 75,000 miles. Now they won't help with any of the cost. Would hope they might stand by their equipment a little more than that. Especially since they are having some major issues with their transmissions as shown in all the complaints.

Filed May 19, 2019 · Brakes, Transmission · 40,000 miles · FL

Truck hesitates, jumps, and bumps when applying brakes. When stepping on brakes to stop, it bumps and jumps before it actually comes to a full stop. It seems you really have to step on the brake hard to make it come to a full stop. This is worse on low speed, below 30 MPH, stop and go traffic. There were a number of instances I almost rear ended vehicles in front of me due to this problem. The truck also bumps and jumps when taking off. I think this started a few months after I got the truck brand new. It is getting progressively worse. I took it a number of times to gm service center; they did a transmission relearn, software updates, and transmission flush--truck got better for only a few hundred miles, then same problems recurred. The latest couple of times I went back to gm service, they told me nothing is wrong with my truck. It has been very frustrating dealing with this problem and gm service for the past 3 years.

Filed Apr 28, 2019 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · CA

When driving in slow moving traffic trans mission feels very jerky and shifts hard. Also when going from park to reverse transmission will clunk very hard causing the truck to move. Truck also seems to hesitate when trying to shift in lower gears while accelerating. This has been an ongoing issue since purchasing the truck brand new from the dealership. Prior attempts for service have been explained by their technicians as being an adaptive transmission needing to learn

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