2017 GMC Sierra 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Transmission · WI

Transmission Hard shifts 1-2 or 2-3 Delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse Shudder at 30–60 mph Slipping under light throttle Clunk when stopping The risk I've described to the dealer is that the hard shifts at stop and go in heavy traffic situations could cause and accident. Yes the issue has been confirmed at the dealer and they replaced the transmission. That did not resolve the issue. It has not been inspected. No warnings.

Filed Apr 10, 2025 · Transmission · CT

Original issue started at about 60K miles regarding hard shifts and clunking with acceleration with my 2017 Sierra 6 speed transmission. I had it inspected by the dealer when I purchased it, told it was normal for this model. Had it inspected by independent shops, told that this is a known issue, but not fixable without a new transmission. At 90K miles, began experiencing a whining sound while idling. Told it is in the torque converter/transmission housing but I could not afford the thousands of dollars for replacement/inspection. I had the transmission fluid serviced and changed as recommended with the dextran ATF that GM recommends in the manual both at 60K miles, and again at 100K miles as recommended. I also drive the vehicle reasonably, yet still at 130K miles had the transmission and converter fail. With no warning, no check engine lights or vehicle codes. Even after I lost 5th and 6th gear, there were no warnings or alert in my truck and despite the transmission giving out while on the highway. I feel this is a huge safety concern with both GM torque converter and transmission issues being known, as well as my vehicle not giving any warnings before, during, or after my transmission failing. I have had the warning lights checked as well, I’m told they are fully functioning when tested, so for some reason there seems to be an inherent issue with the truck’s warning system.

Filed Jan 27, 2025 · Transmission · ID

I have been experiencing trasmission problems. The vehicle jerks, shutters and makes numerous thumping sounds during acceleration as well as at certain constant speeds. It frequently make a lound clunking sound when first put in drive and beginning to move. On January 16, 2025, I took the truck to Rubideaux GMC, 351 W Dalton Ave, Hayden ID 83835, for inspection. I was told that the torque converter "was shot" and that the transmission fluid was scorched and there metal shavings in the transmission filter. The service manager informed me that I needed a new transmission at a cost of $7,000. the dealer told me that they will have to find a remanufactured replacement which by their description are in short supply. I went to an independent shop in the area and was quoted a similar price. The employee also advised me of a class action law suite that was in process for 2016-2020 GM trucks and SUV's and passenger cars equipped with the model 8L transmission with the same problem. Several suits are under way including, [XXX] et al v GM, I find this situation especially concerning given the very gentle treatment Ive given this vehicle since I purchased it new. The truck only has 63,000 miles on it and I have never towed anything with this vehicle nor carried any load of more than a couple oh hundred pounds in the bed of the truck. What component failed? Transmission. The transmission is still in the truck pending available replacement. How was your safety put at risk? The transmission could fail while driving causing a lack of vehicle control. Has the problem been reproduced by a dealer? Yes it was confirmed by the dealership listed above. Has vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance? It has been inspected by a licensed GMC dealer. Where there any warning lamps, messages or other symptons.....? No INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Transmission · TN

Experienced hard shifting in my transmission a couple before it all of the sudden it made a thing noise and didn’t want to move forward to easy. Babied it home and by then it was whining and whistling all the time. I Quit driving it immediately and had it towed. Being only a 2017 I can’t believe this happened. Plus I had a 2014 prior to this and I had the same issue but traded it off before it went all the way out. After going to social media I am finding out that so many people with mid to late model 2000s have had this same issue, even family. Plus I was told by 2 different transmission places this is very common in these with Chevy and GMC model trucks. How could this be going on? I am assuming because people don’t know to report. Being on disability and a fixed income this took a hit to my bank account, actually a home equity loan.

Filed Apr 7, 2024 · Transmission · CT

I purchased the vehicle in November or December 2022. Since then I’ve had problems with my transmission. The torque converter was replaced 2 times, it’s been in the shop 5-6 times and nothing fixed under the warranty when I purchased it. Finally the dealer I purchased from said they won’t take the vehicle back and won’t spend any more money on fixing the truck. Now it has become on my dime to figure it out since I gave up trying to have a shop diagnose and fix it. The last shop said I would have to pay to have the transmission removed and possibly have the valve body replaced since the dealer I purchased it from gave the second shop one chance to get it right. The transmission downshifts hard and clunks since the first day of purchase. Makes a weird wining noise still til this day. I have spoken with the owners of the dealership and they did not seem to care about my problem.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Transmission · MO

The transmission is shuddering, hard shifting, shuddering and lunging into gear. It is the 6L80 transmission Also has little to no power, took it to the dealership for diagnosis and they say the transmission is bad, torque converter is also bad sending metal throughout the rest of the transmission.

Filed Jan 25, 2024 · Transmission · FL

Transmission temperature sensor has failed. It is available for internal inspection within the transmission pan. Safety has not been in issue, but, apparently it can cause hard shifting when the sensor starts to go bad. You can also easily tell when the sensor is going bad by watching your trans fluid temp needle. It will erratically bounce up and down, sometimes slightly and other times it's big jumps, so you will not be able to tell if the transmission is overheating or running at normal operating temperature. The problem has been confirmed by a local service center. The vehicle/component has not been inspected. There has not been any problems prior to this issue. The check engine light came on 1/24/24 in the evening time. Check engine codes are P0711 & P0700. This is a known issue between 2015-2018 GM vehicle equipped with the 6.2L & 8-speed transmission. There is/was a special warranty number, #N192291660, that qualifies with the 2016 models.

Filed Jan 21, 2024 · Transmission · FL

Transmission has stalled many times from shifting through 1st and 2nd gear going across divided highways and nearly causing accidents, also it has a very bad shudder and hard shifting.

Filed Nov 6, 2023 · Fuel system · CO

Vehicle has a hard shift in the lower gears. I have been told by GM authorized dealers and garages that the official suggestion from GM is a transmission flush, and that this may not resolve the issue. This service usually runs around $350+, and is not reimbursed at all or in part by the manufacturer. This has caused tire spin in parking lots and low speed situations (like crosswalks), and only seems to be getting worse as time goes on. This seems to be a widespread issue, with a large number of consumers reporting the same issue, and really seems to be a manufacturer defect

Filed Aug 20, 2023 · Transmission · LA

Transmission issues! Very hard shifting! Feels like someone ran into me from behind. Shutters while crushing at 45-48 mph. Vehicle shakes from transmission issues!! GMC will not do anything about it!

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Transmission · NV

Like so many others, I have persistent transmission or drive train problems in my 2017 GMC Sierra. This has been documented on multiple visits and test drives with the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and to another GMC dealer. The first occurrence was after about 4,000 miles. A loud clunk sound occasionally occurs while shifting thru low gears and the transmission shifts very hard. To the point that the transmission hesitates between gears and then jerks me back into the seat. The selling dealer has witnessed this and tried various repairs (supposedly flushed and replaced the fluid, supposedly replaced an unknown computer component, etc). None of this helped. Now the transmission also hesitates and seems to slip during a downshift thru the low gears. The selling dealer finally told me "nothing is wrong with this truck, so don't bring it back again". I assured them that I would never be back, especially when I'm in the market for a new truck. GM should take note of this, also. Online websites show many posts of owners having this issue. And neither the dealers nor GM are even acknowledging a problem, let alone offering a solution. Unfortunately for me and many others, the value of this vehicle is impacted by so many complaints, no action by the federal safety agency and questionable practices by GM and their dealers. Buyers beware!!! The transmission in this truck is junk and you won't receive any assistance from GM or its dealers. The only hope for owners of this truck is for the federal safety agency to step up, launch an investigation and require a recall. This a known issue to owners of this truck, GM, its dealers and the federal safety agency. It's time for all of them to step up and do what's right for consumers.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Engine · SC

hard shift when taking off and excessive burning of oil