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.
GMC Sierra 1500 shudder problems
161 of the 9,082 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra 1500 describe shudder or vibration when accelerating, most of them for the 2018 model year.
- owner complaints
- 161
- worst model year
- 2018
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,000
- typical mileage
- 45,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 23Check engine light 19Transmission failure 18Jerking 18Hesitation 15Loss of power 12Slipping 11Knocking 8
Trouble codes mentioned
P0016 2P2818 1P129F 1P1089 1P0300 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission shuddered, and the vehicle drove abnormally rough. In addition, the transmission shifted abnormally hard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,950.
I own a 2020 GMC sierra AT4. It has developed a shudder when cruising on the highway or driving in town around 1500rpm. I believe it is coming from the transmission. A local shop mentioned the torque converter. The shudder feels like a delay in power and makes it difficult to hold speed or accelerate when needed.
The 6-speed automatic transmission (6L80) developed a severe shudder during normal driving. A service center diagnosed the problem as torque converter clutch failure; the torque converter sheds metal debris through the transmission, so the transmission now requires a full rebuild quoted at approximately $6,000. The failure occurred at approximately 92,000 miles in October 2026 (incident date is approximate). This is a widely documented failure pattern on GM 6L80 transmissions. Loss of reliable power delivery from the transmission is a safety concern. No crash, no injuries, and no fire occurred. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact became aware of an abnormal sound, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and connected a portable diagnostic tester to the vehicle. The contact retrieved a pressure fault code. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a torque converter shudder. Additionally, the solenoids were clogged with debris. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 106,554.
2021 GMC with 6.2L motor. The engine begin to produce a clattering noise in the upper part of the engine. When the clattering happens the vehicle will shudder. I took the vehicle into a certified independent service center who diagnosed a catastrophic engine failure as a result of lifter and camshaft bearing failure. They further advised that this year of vehicle (2021) and engine (6.2L) was known to have this defect and might be subject to a safety recall. I contacted GM customer service who stated that my VIN was not included in the recall even though the year and engine matched the recall. I found that to be odd especially when I noted that nearly 600K vehicles matching my failed engine was recalled. She stated that I (owner) had to bear the cost of replacing the defective engine and labor. I had to have my vehicle transported from [XXX] to [XXX] at the cost of 1400 dollars. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Fuel Filter and High pressure Rail System The truck started shuddering and began to go into limp mode also shifted into neutral byitself No It was inspected by the dealership shop and now insurance Check engine light came on and code P1089
The transmission Started Shuddering, it would slip occasionally and slipped badly when i was driving in rush hour traffic in the middle of a left turn. had no power for several seconds then it finally reengaged. The shuddering got worse and worse to the point i took it to a transmission shop to look at it and they said i needed a replacement transmission unit. I did get a replacement unit, the whole process was extremely unpleasant. The previous unit was sent as a core to be remanufactured. The company that i used to get a remanufactured unit is Fraser Transmissions. No warning lamps appeared prior to the transmission acting up.
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH to 50 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made a shuddering sound while shifting between gears. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine lifters and camshaft were previously replaced. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The traction control warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to a dealer to determine whether the failures were associated with a recall for coverage consideration. The contact stated that a coworker's vehicle experienced an identical transmission failure, and a transmission specialist diagnosed that issue as a torque converter failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
I had complained to the dealer less than one year after purchase in may of 2019 that there was a shuddering noise and the transmission hesitates and seems to lock up at times. I was told it was "just how the 8-speed transmission operates". It has contnued throughout ownership and now seems to lose power and vibrates excessively during acceleration.
Related recalls
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- Risk
- Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V289000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 12, 2026.
Recall number 26V083000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Recall number 24V797000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
- Risk
- If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.
Recall number 20V650000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra 1500 shudder
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have shudder or vibration when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2018 (29 complaints), 2019 (24 complaints) and 2017 (20 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix shudder or vibration when accelerating on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 17 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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