GMC Sierra adaptive cruise problems

Filed Sep 16, 2014 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · TX

Initially I felt the problem as a slight "missing" in the engine under very light acceleration between 40 MPH and 55mph and more pronounced under constant throttle going up grades on the highway at a speed of ~55 MPH (1400-1500 RPM). The vehicle seemed to be "lugging", and then the RPM would increase by ~20% immediately for a short distance and then drop back (all at constant throttle) to 1400-1500 RPM. When driving on the highway in cruise control at 60 MPH and going up a grade, the vehicle would show signs of "straining" and immediately increase in the RPM by about 20% with an attendant acceleration. Then the RPM would increase instantly by about 1000 RPM and the vehicle accelerates rapidly until I engage the brakes. My dealer observed the same characteristics and determined that it was a torque converter problem and on 07/25/2014 they installed a new torque converter, which proved to have no effect on the problem. I was informed by the service manager that gmc technical services informed him of a service bulletin (#pip4681d: random bump chuggle or fishbite sensation while cruising at approximately 1,300 RPM- october 31, 2013) that addressed the problem, and furthermore no further corrective action could be taken. On august 6,,2014 I was driving at constant speed of 60 MPH on a major highway in "cruise control" and moderate traffic. While going up a long grade following another vehicle at a safe speed, my vehicle immediately jumped ~400 RPM and then abruptly changed to a lower gear and accelerated suddenly putting me at risk of colliding with the vehicle ahead of me. I quickly applied brakes and was able to avoid an accident. I immediately contacted gmc customer services who opened a case number ([xxx]) and assigned a rep. To my case. I have subsequently been informed of the gmc company line--"the vehicle is operating as designed", "live with it"!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 6, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 65,000 miles · AR

While driving on interstate the engine shut down to 1/2 power and began to shake/vibrate. The top speed then was about 40mph. I finally pulled over and read manual on how to reset it. It worked properly then. This has happened 4 other times. The latest incident happened yesterday, with out using cruise control. Traveling at 30 MPH it shut me down again . One of the scariest times , I was traveling in 5 lanes of traffic and it shut me down to half power and it was quite dangerous for us to try and merge out of the way and get off to a safe spot on side of interstate. I called the dealer and they told me there has not been a recall on this issue, but it seems very much like a safety issue with me. The dealer also told me as well as other auto specialist is that this is a common problem with this model of vehicle and that it will cost about 700 dollars to replace the throttle cable assembly.

Filed Oct 5, 2012 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle speed increased up to 95 MPH. The contact stated that he was able to stop the vehicle by turning off the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 70,000.

Filed May 15, 2007 · Electrical · 27,051 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra. While driving approximately 65 MPH under any conditions, the vehicle's odometer fails. The failure occurs when the vehicle stops and starts. The contact would have to shut the vehicle off and restart it in order to make the speedometer work properly. The failure occurs intermittently. The dealer stated that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 27,051. The speedometer would not function after driving 45 minutes when on cruise control. Updated 06/13/07.

Filed Feb 3, 2006 · Electrical · AL

Inaccurate speedometer - after an hour with cruise control set on 65 MPH during each down hill segment the speedometer would increase about two miles per hour. On the up hill segment it did not decrease to 65. After the second downhill segment it read 67, the next it read 69, after about 20 up hill, down hill cycles, speedometer indicated over 100 MPH. The RPM was about 1900 which is about 65 MPH. When I stopped for gas, the speedometer rested at 42 MPH. Over the next several days it worked back to zero when the vehicle was stopped. One week later the event occurred again. Today I spoke to the service advisor at my dealership and he showed me a list of people waiting for "instrument clusters" for this same problem.

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · NH

About three years ago I took my 2000 sierra truck to my gmc dealer after experiencing a few low speed ABS activations and brake failures causing me to drift into oncoming traffic. Since tandom log trucks are frequent travelers on our local roads, I wanted to resolve the problem right away. My gmc service manager informed me that the only way to correct the problem was to replace the front hub assemblies containing the wheel speed sensors at a cost of $500 each for parts only. I decided against that idea and opted to remove the ABS fuse under the dash board. I kept inquiring at the dealer about any gm sponsored repairs and finally read about the august 29, 2005 recall notice which involved cleaning, sanding, and lubricating the wheel speed sensors. The recall service work was done on 10/13/05, according to service bullitin #05068, but my truck continued to drift into traffic as before. This time I removed the ABS fuse from under the hood so I could finally use the cruise control again. The service manager has since told me that there is no authorized follow up procedure other than to replace the hub assemblies or speed sensors, at my expense. The brakes function adequately without the ABS fuse, but the red brake failure light on the instrument panel is on continually, as well as the amber ABS light. If I go back to removing the interior ABS fuse, the red light will go out and should be available to indicate any other cause for brake failure, but I sacrafice the cruise control. Gm has admitted that they designed a defective ABS system that is prone to rust and corrosion in certain "rust belt" states and provinces of canada and they are aware that these vehicles have been unsafe to operate. The ineffective recall repairs to my truck cost general motors $46.88 on the invoice and yet they expect me to pay about $1,200 to really repair and replace their defective parts. I don't think so.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Acceleration, Engine · CO

Dt: the vehicle will go faster than the amount of pressure the consumer applies to the gas pedal. The cruise control was not on when the problem occurred. This happened about 6 times. There have been two recalls on the vehicle. The first was on the windshield wiper motor, and she went to have it replaced when she discovered the second recall. The second was for the throttle cable. The consumer and the dealer thought that it might have been the reason for the problem. She had the recall done on 7-25-05. The problem still occurred again on 8-12-05. She took it back to the dealer. They told her that it had nothing to do with the recall issue. It might have been a problem with the butterfly intake. When she contacted the manufacturer, they told her to file a complaint with the federal safety agency, and she did. So. *ak

Filed Aug 22, 2005 · Acceleration · TX

Dt: when the consumer presses the accelerator all the way down it does not speed up quickly. It is a few moments before the vehicle will speed up. This problem has been occurring since purchase. The problem is with the passing gear and the resume on the cruise control. The problem occurs whether or not the cruise control is on. When the consumer contacted the manufacturer, they told him that it was how the vehicle was designed.

Filed Feb 11, 2005 · Acceleration, Transmission · 500 miles · GA · fire

I purchased my 2004 gmc sierra 1500 4x4. I put it in 4 wheel drive to go through some ice and it made a very loud clank. Not long after that when I put it in reverse or drive it also made the same loud clank. It did not sound like that when I first bought the truck. Now the truck has trouble going into 4 wheel drive and also gets hung in reverse. It has almost caused me to get in a bad accident. My cruise control also has have 6 malfunctions. I had the dealer fix it initially. I have fixed it subsequently due to the fact they said it was a blown fuse. The 4 wheel drive and transmission problems were addressed 3 times and all the dealers said nothing was wrong. An independent mechanic said there is a defect with my transmission and transfer case. That is it with the truck. Now just last thursday feb 3, my bridgestone tire separated. My tire dealer said the tire was defective. There was no evidence what so ever that there was any damage to the tire to cause the blowout. It should not have separated. It caused a fire. It was quickly put out.

Filed Jan 19, 2005 · Acceleration · 51,000 miles · VA

While driving with the cruise control set to 70 MPH the vehicle accelerated to 90 MPH without warning. The consumer stated she disengaged the cruise control, however the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle was thrown into neutral in order to slow it down. Please provide additional information. *jb