2016 GMC Sierra 1500: complete transmission failure

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Transmission · NH

Loss of power, shuddering, hesitation upon attempt to accelerate. 8-speed automatic transmission failure, known to GMC at the time of purchase (2017). GM Service Bulletin 39370 dated April 2016.

Filed Oct 10, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Transmission was replaced about 13 months or so after purchasing and was already out of warranty.

Filed Nov 17, 2024 · Body, Electrical · FL

Paint bubbling on roof. When turning on key, the radio makes a loud buzzing sound. On 11/16/2024, when leaving a traffic light, the truck began surging and shuddering. Tachometer was revving up and down like the transmission was slipping with loss of power while trying to take off and accelerate. While attempting to return home, loud booming noise was coming in from under floorboard. I was unsure if I would make it home before the transmission totally failed. People were passing around me because I was unable to acceleration fast enough because of the shuddering and loss of power. No previous signs of any powertrain issues or failures before. It happened for the 1st time today, and my truck is no longer safe to drive. GM has known about this transmission issue for years on several different models and has failed to broadly rectify the mechanical problem on all affected vehicles. Instead, GM has allowed the vehicle owners to continue to drive a vehicle with a known problem while it waited for a failure. This put me and my family at risk because I am driving around in a vehicle with a known transmission problem not knowing when it would fail or where I could be located when it failed. GM needs to pay for all repairs on all vehicles with this transmission failure because GM has known about this problem for years before someone gets hurt or killed. GM knew about the shuddering problem from the beginning, and they fixed the problem by tuning the transmission which then caused the total transmission failures over time which vehicles owners are not dealing with. Metal shavings are being located in the pan when inspected. GM should be held responsible for the cost of these transmission repairs. I would have never purchased the GMC Sierra 1500 if I have known GM was installing defective transmissions in new vehicles. That is shady, reckless, and unsafe. GM, pay to fix these problems.

Filed Apr 30, 2024 · Transmission · MI

My truck only has 40,000 miles on it and has the 8 speed 8L90 transmission. The truck bucks hard and has majorly delayed acceleration, especially on the initial startup of the vehicle. At this point the torque converter is going bad as well as the transmission fluid temperature sensor as per my mechanic when hooked up to the computer. It is now causing a fluttering of the RPMs, especially when the vehicle heats up after running for several minutes. It is severely impacting my fuel economy as well as my general safety when operation my truck. This is a known problem with this type of transmission but so far there has been no recall issued, only a class action lawsuit that I am having a hard time joining. It is going to cost me over $8000 for a new transmission and I don't really know where to turn at this point or what to do! Please make GM issue a recall for this known transmission problem that they put in millions of vehicles, all having similar problems as my own! Thank you!

Filed Dec 14, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · WY

Just purchased this used vehicle in December 2022 with high miles (202000) with a dealers extended warranty. Problem has happened twice in 2 weeks. While backing up slowly and turning my wheel the vehicle stalled and Service Stabilitrak came across the dash as it died. Then upon restarting it told me to roll drivers window down and up and the memory seat function cleared as did my clock. Like it had a battery replacement and reset to factory. Took into a GMC service shop where they found code P0700 and P0711. They were able to replicate my concern. Telling me to replace the transmission harnesses and that it is not covered under my extended warranty for powertrain. Going to cost me $1500 in repairs. After extensive research I see this is a common problem yet no recall has been issued for my 2016 GMC Sierra crew cab. Very frustrating!!

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Transmission · CT

Vehicle shakes and shudders. Transmission required to be replaced at 70,710 miles. Dealership said the torque converter and transmission failure is a common event in these vehicles and wasn't covered under warranty

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.