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GMC Sierra won't shift problems

16 of the 3,904 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 1996 model year.

owner complaints
16
worst model year
1996
typical mileage
60,000
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2017
    1
  • 2004
    1
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    2
  • 2000
    2
  • 1999
    2
  • 1997
    3
  • 1996
    3
  • 1993
    1

What owners say

Filed Feb 23, 2018 · Transmission · 10,000 miles · NC

Transmission harsh 1-2 shift when it is under light throttle and sometime does not shift or make nose. Gmc dealer are aware about this issues on all gm truck model of 2015 to 2017 with 8sped transmission since april 2017. I have attached documents given by dealer.

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · OR

Will not go into park.

Filed Oct 31, 2005 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · NY

Dt: the contact stated the transmission failed while driving. The vehicle would not go into reverse. After getting the vehicle home he had it towed to a transmission shop. They found there was a crack in an internal hub. This caused a loss of oil pressure, and lubrication. They replaced all damaged parts. There have been no problems since.

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · OH

Dt: 1999 gmc sierra 1500. While driving the truck for about 45 minutes to an hour and if stopping at a stop sign or red light the truck will not shift from first gear to second gear properly. Once the truck does shift it is a very hard shift, and if on wet or slippery surfaces the truck will squall the tire. This started around 60, 000 miles. This does not happen every time, it is hit or miss. While pulling across three lanes of traffic the truck shifted properly and was almost hit by on coming cars. Took vehicle to the dealership, and they said it was the transmission. It was a common problem with gmc trucks. There is a kit that is made to fix this problem, but transmission must be replaced and the repair cost is between $700 - $1,800. This happens 4 to 5 times a week. *ak

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Transmission · 108,748 miles · MI

While towing trailer with 2 quads (4 wheelers) on expressway with a group of co-workers, I was attempting to pass another vehicle when my truck would not shift into passing gear. It made a loud "reving" noise and began rapidly decreasing in speed. I pulled off the expressway bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. I then gradually accelerated and shifted manually, but was only able to acheive 1st gear. I had to have the vehicle towed 150 miles to my house where it still sits three months later with only reverse and 1st gear operable at this time.

Filed Jun 16, 2004 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · ID

On the evening of june 15,2004, my husband was driving our 1996 gmc sierra 2500 deisel pickup truck home. While driving up a long, steep grade the gas pedal stuck down and the truck would not shift gears. My husband had to slam on the brake pedal and then the gas pedal released with a popping sound. The truck will still not shift gears. The cruise control was not on.

Filed Mar 20, 2004 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · OH

Heard a whining noise and wouldn't shift properly. It would only move very slowly forward and would not go into reverse.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Seat belts · 1,500 miles · CA

#1 transmission. Slips out of gear into nuetral while driving at highway speeds. Must coast over to side of road, turn off engine, wait, restart and continue on. Narrowly caused a collision with a semi truck while coasting to side of road. Complained to dealer numerous times, said they could not find anything wrong. Now trans is locked in 2nd gear and won't shift to a higher gear. #2 paint. Started chipping within 6 months old and less than 2500 miles. Dealers said nothing could be done. Roof is now rusted through and headliner is hanging down. Dealer and zone rep say gmc is not responsible and refuse to repair and repaint. #3 seat belt retractor. Driver's seat belt will not retract and is very loose. It would not prevent injury or death if involved in a crash. Dealer and zone rep deny responsibility and refuse to repair except at my expense. #4 radio. Radio has been replaced 3 times by the dealer since new and they refuse to replace or repair it again. Volume must be turned up all the way to be heard. This is the exact same problem with every radio they say they have replaced.

Filed Jan 14, 2003 · Fuel system · TX

Consumer stated the vehicle would leak diesel fuel into the oil, and overflow when the injectors stuck open. The problem happened 14 times. Vehicle would go into limp mode, and would reach certain rpms when this happens.

Filed Jan 8, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · 1,500 miles · OH

Consumer complains of premature stalling at idle. The vehicle lacks sufficient power, it surges and at times refuses to accelerate. The transmission doesn't shift down properly out of 4th gear and the air conditioning unit does not cool properly and makes whistling noises. *jg

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported December 24, 2014 · 152 vehicles affected
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)Reported June 27, 2014 · 392,459 vehicles affected
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 linesReported March 31, 2014 · 489,936 vehicles affected
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 transmissionReported January 2, 2013 · 54,686 vehicles affected
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 indicatorReported February 14, 2005 · 7,194 vehicles affected
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: driveshaftReported January 7, 2005 · 98,221 vehicles affected
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 transmissionReported July 26, 1995 · 36,641 vehicles affected
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 linesReported February 16, 1995 · 13,853 vehicles affected
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 won't shift

Which GMC Sierra years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1996 (3 complaints), 1997 (3 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).

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