Extremely hard shifts up-and-down in the 1st 2 gears followed by hesitation after stopping and starting
GMC Sierra hesitation problems
19 of the 3,904 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 4,000
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20173
- 20151
- 20143
- 20091
- 20043
- 20031
- 20023
- 20001
- 19992
- 19971
Often reported together
Slipping 2Jerking 2Harsh shifting 2Check engine light 2Tire blowout 1Sudden acceleration 1Stalling 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 gmc sierra. While reversing, the vehicle hesitated and surged forward. While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to silver star buick gmc (3601 auto mall dr, thousand oaks, ca 91362, (805) 222-4789) where it was diagnosed that the software needed to be updated and the vehicle was performing as designed. The vehicle was repaired; however ,the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 415.
Transmission has surging and hesitation. Dealer cannot fix.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission vibrated causing a hesitation when the gears shifted. The contact mentioned that the failure was most severe while driving at speeds between 40-50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who changed the gear ratio and adjusted the rear end. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 250.
I am having serious problems with the stabilitrak electronic stability control system. Whenever it gets cold ( below approx. 38 degrees) the stabilitrak system malfunctions. Even if I turn it off it still affects the performance of the engine (low speed, engine hesitating). The truck runs fine in warmer weather just craps out when its cold. I see that there are many other instances of distressed drivers who are having their 'trac ' 'stab, ABS light and engine lights either going on one at a time or simultaneously because of this system. This is a stupid system that needs to be redesigned or eliminated all together. In any event I don't feel as though I should be the one to pay for the manufactures mistakes in design.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was working up to specifications. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
2014 gmc sierra. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle electrical panel froze while driving. *smd also, the power steering locked up, the headlights did not work properly and the alarm sometimes sounded after the was removed from the ignition. Also, the engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. However, the problem was still not resolved. There was a hesitation/lurch coming from the transmission, and an issue with the tire pressure monitoring system. The instrument panel malfunctioned on the way back from the dealer. The check engine light, illuminated sporadically. Updated 07/10/14 the consumer stated there was a steering issue, as well. The dealer was unable to replicate the problems. Updated 08/06/14
Vehicle hesitates and stalls upon acceleration. According to gm document id number [xxx] this is a normal condition and they have programmed the vehicle to do this. If going into traffic and trying to accelerate, the built in delay can cause close calls at best and worst case an accident. This coupled with the transmission issues mentioned in document id number 3575856 creates the perfect storm for injury and / or death. Gm refuses to address the issue other than to say they feel it is not a problem. This covers virtually all gm vehicles since 2007 with the 6 speed transmission. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Transmission hesitates badly to shift 2-3, when cold out
Transmission makes a clunking sound when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Also, intermittnet slipping of transmission when starting to move from a full stop. Vehicle hesitates before it begins to move. This occured within the 1st 500 miles and contines to occur today.
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to November 25, 2014. Due to an improper heat-treatment, the rear axle shaft may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
- Risk
- If the rear axle shaft fractures, the rear wheel may separate from the axle shaft, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axles, and replace any that were improperly heat-treated, free of charge. The recall began on December 17,2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet) or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14892.
Recall number 14V819000 · Recall details
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
- Risk
- If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.
Recall number 14V374000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (feature code MYC). The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
- Risk
- If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑866‑694‑6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.
Recall number 14V152000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
- Risk
- As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1‑800‑630‑2438. Cadillac owners may call 1‑866‑982‑2339. GMC owners may call 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 13V001000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
- Risk
- The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V055000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve pressure is depleted.
- Risk
- An inoperative pump can cause increased steering effort, and in hydro-boost equipped vehicles also increased braking effort, but does not completely eliminate the ability to steer or slow the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V005000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- The transmission shift-cable lock clip can back out of its installed position resulting in a loss of cable adjustment. When the shift lever is placed in the "park" position, the "park" indicator light may not illuminate.
- Risk
- The vehicle can move unintentionally if the driver does not notice that the indicator light is not on and does not apply the parking brake.
- Remedy
- Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Recall number 95V139000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- Due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.
- Risk
- This condition can cause transmission oil to sprayonto the exhaust system and result in a possible vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. If the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.
Recall number 95V026000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra hesitation
Which GMC Sierra years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (3 complaints), 2004 (3 complaints) and 2014 (3 complaints).
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