Brand New 2300 Mile '18 Sierra 6.2 Dies While Towing

[Z45]

7 hours ago, NWI Denali said:

Getting a buick as a loaner is hugely disappointing. I guess that's where it's simply a dealer by dealer basis, because mine gave me a Silverado loaner, no questions asked.

Not any worse than when my 2015 GMC had to stay for few days (waiting for parts).  They said, well get you in a rental (Enterprise) and they will bring the it here for you. 20 min later they show up with a Dodge Mini van. I refused to drive it and after some tense moments, the dealer put me  in a Cadillac XTS, a used car the had.

[martinto]

On 5/3/2019 at 11:54 AM, DP121 said:

I have a new 2018 Sierra CC half ton. Has the 6.2 liter engine and the 8 speed transmission. It currently has 2,300 miles. Last week I had the transmission worked on under warranty for a shuttering problem. Service was performed per GM Bulletin 18-NA-355. This was literally seven days ago. After the service the transmission seemed fine, no more shuttering. Yesterday while towing our boat (6000lbs) the truck started making a knocking, clanging, and clunking noise then it just died. Transmission temp was 183 at the time and all other gauges where in  normal ranges.

 

Today the truck is waiting for service at a different GMC dealer. I do have a loaner so that's nice. I am devastated. This truck is the nicest and most expensive vehicle I have ever owned. It is my 6th GM truck. My garage is all GM with a 2000 Pontiac T/A and a 2010 Chevy Equinox parked in it. My FIL is a GM retiree and we are very loyal GM customers. what a disappointment.

 

Daryl

2016 GMC SLT 6.2 with max tow pkg.  towing a 7000lb TT from SC to Washington State and back.  In Iowa at 3700 miles on the truck, she hemorrhages on the Hwy.  She went into limp mode and I was able to get the 8 miles back to the campground.  Dealer 30 miles away picked it up...found a failed lifter.  GM had a history on this issue and had replacement parts in the pipeline and shipped the next day.  GM initially offered to put me in another truck to continue the journey west.  As it was, they completed the repairs the next day, and we were on our way.  Finished the 7300 mile trip 7 weeks later towing and no additional problems.  Probably a bad production lot of lifters.  I was in automotive mfg’ing at Honda & BMW, and given the hard reality that a small % of products can fail, you bank on warranty and goodwill by the dealer and Mfg’er.  What’s important is that they fix it correctly and help you on your way.  

[DP121]

2 hours ago, martinto said:

2016 GMC SLT 6.2 with max tow pkg.  towing a 7000lb TT from SC to Washington State and back.  In Iowa at 3700 miles on the truck, she hemorrhages on the Hwy.  She went into limp mode and I was able to get the 8 miles back to the campground.  Dealer 30 miles away picked it up...found a failed lifter.  GM had a history on this issue and had replacement parts in the pipeline and shipped the next day.  GM initially offered to put me in another truck to continue the journey west.  As it was, they completed the repairs the next day, and we were on our way.  Finished the 7300 mile trip 7 weeks later towing and no additional problems.  Probably a bad production lot of lifters.  I was in automotive mfg’ing at Honda & BMW, and given the hard reality that a small % of products can fail, you bank on warranty and goodwill by the dealer and Mfg’er.  What’s important is that they fix it correctly and help you on your way.  

That's good to hear GM took care of you. I'm hoping tomorrow they will put me in a loaner truck. I need to get the camper and prepare for the trip to OBX. I hope its something small. I did try and start it again at the dealer. It started sounded like a bunch of metal rumbling around in an a metal box, then immediately shut it off. 

 

Tom Petty was right....the waiting is the hardest part.

[2kwik4u]

Just dropped my 2015 SLT Plus off at the dealer this morning.

 

Since I have "rental coverage" on the extended warranty, they wouldn't put me in one of the 3 Denali Lender trucks they had siting within eye shot of the service desk. When pressed I got a "If these problems are covered (and we're sure they are), we'll have Enterprise pick you up in a rental by the end of the day" The loaner is definitely a dealer-by-dealer crap shoot with GM.

 

I miss the days of scheduling my service and preferred loaner when I had an Audi. Service was more expensive, but the lack of interference with the rest of my life was so minimal it was worth it. Definitely no "me vs them" mentality either, which was nice.

 

I'm not holding my breathe for a stress free transaction of the items it in for (which include the "Chevy Shake" as well as known A/C issues). He already tried to dismiss my tailegate handle not working properly with "Just push real hard in the center of the tailgate and it releases easily". He backed off when I asked if the other new trucks on his lot had to have that to open the tailgate. My 7yr old can open the door, why can't he open the tailgate as well? It's broke, please fix it, this is what the warranty if for, don't tell me "it's normal"

[2018GMC]

12 hours ago, 2kwik4u said:

Just dropped my 2015 SLT Plus off at the dealer this morning.

 

Since I have "rental coverage" on the extended warranty, they wouldn't put me in one of the 3 Denali Lender trucks they had siting within eye shot of the service desk. When pressed I got a "If these problems are covered (and we're sure they are), we'll have Enterprise pick you up in a rental by the end of the day" The loaner is definitely a dealer-by-dealer crap shoot with GM.

 

I miss the days of scheduling my service and preferred loaner when I had an Audi. Service was more expensive, but the lack of interference with the rest of my life was so minimal it was worth it. Definitely no "me vs them" mentality either, which was nice.

 

I'm not holding my breathe for a stress free transaction of the items it in for (which include the "Chevy Shake" as well as known A/C issues). He already tried to dismiss my tailegate handle not working properly with "Just push real hard in the center of the tailgate and it releases easily". He backed off when I asked if the other new trucks on his lot had to have that to open the tailgate. My 7yr old can open the door, why can't he open the tailgate as well? It's broke, please fix it, this is what the warranty if for, don't tell me "it's normal"

Yep. My local dealer is the same on loaners. First question when I went in for oil and rotation service was did you buy truck here? I said no. We will call you when it’s done. 3 hours later no call. I called back and oh yeah it’s ready. 

 

Don’t even want to wast my time for the other free oil change!

[2kwik4u]

8 hours ago, 2018GMC said:

Yep. My local dealer is the same on loaners. First question when I went in for oil and rotation service was did you buy truck here? I said no. We will call you when it’s done. 3 hours later no call. I called back and oh yeah it’s ready. 

 

Don’t even want to wast my time for the other free oil change!

They weren't able to get all my concerns addressed in one day. So they needed a second day to just diagnose the issues before even calling to make a claim on the extended warranty. They put me in a '19 Malibu from their loaner fleet until the truck is done. I'm not thrilled with it, but it got me to work this morning, so I can't complain too much.

 

Supposed to go boating this weekend. Hopefully the truck is finished by then, and it won't be an issue. Going to push hard to have them swap me into the pickup loaner they have if it's not.

[DP121]

Short update on my '18 Sierra. I had it towed to my selling dealer yesterday. Cost me $200. The truck sat for three working days at the dealer GM towed it to. They didn't seem to want to help me. It's been at my dealer for less then 24 hours and they are getting it in today. Told me that they are going to open up the engine and a GM rep is gong to look at it. They also gave me a truck for a loaner. 

[Farmer_2]

Quote

Short update on my '18 Sierra. I had it towed to my selling dealer yesterday. Cost me $200. The truck sat for three working days at the dealer GM towed it to. They didn't seem to want to help me. It's been at my dealer for less then 24 hours and they are getting it in today. Told me that they are going to open up the engine and a GM rep is gong to look at it. They also gave me a truck for a loaner. 

 

Well, at least you are making some progress in the right direction. It has also been my experience in the past that you don't get quite the same treatment/courtesy at a GM dealer where you didn't purchase the vehicle when taken in for warranty service. It shouldn't be that way, but that's been my experience. 

 

At least they did give you another truck for a loaner. If the repair is going to take a long time, maybe it will not interrupt your vacation plans, other than the hassle/irritation of it all. 

 

Let us know how it all turns out... 

 

Glen

Edited May 8, 2019 by Farmer_2

[JimCost2014]

7 hours ago, DP121 said:

Short update on my '18 Sierra. I had it towed to my selling dealer yesterday. Cost me $200. The truck sat for three working days at the dealer GM towed it to. They didn't seem to want to help me. It's been at my dealer for less then 24 hours and they are getting it in today. Told me that they are going to open up the engine and a GM rep is gong to look at it. They also gave me a truck for a loaner. 

Make sure to get reimbursed for the tow bill. You have roadside assistance and this is warranty work.

 

I would call the GM hotline to open a claim so they know what is going on, and to let them know about being charged for the tow truck.

[2kwik4u]

On 5/8/2019 at 8:01 AM, DP121 said:

Short update on my '18 Sierra. I had it towed to my selling dealer yesterday. Cost me $200. The truck sat for three working days at the dealer GM towed it to. They didn't seem to want to help me. It's been at my dealer for less then 24 hours and they are getting it in today. Told me that they are going to open up the engine and a GM rep is gong to look at it. They also gave me a truck for a loaner. 

Sounds like some progess. 

 

Wish I could say the same for mine. No work since Thursday of last week. I'll be calling after lunch to see where they stand.

[DP121]

Small update. I called yesterday afternoon. They said that the mechanic/tech has done a little bit of work on the truck but has not gotten the engine opened up yet. Things are moving very slowly and I fear that I will have to cancel vacation. I need the truck to tow the camper.

[DP121]

Another update. I got a call yesterday from the dealer. They said it spun a bearing. I asked if it was a rod or main bearing and was told both. GM is replacing the engine. I may get the truck back by next Friday.

 

Now here are my thoughts/concerns. I've owned the truck for about 12 weeks. In that time the transmission has required work. I'm still not sure of it's fixed because the engine failed about  six days after I got the truck back from having the transmission worked on. The dealer told me that the fluid flush they performed worked about 90% of the time. If that didn't fix it the next step is a new torque converter. If that doesn't work then who knows what else. On top of the transmission issues, I now have a brand new truck with a replacement engine. All of this worries me. I am grateful that GM is fixing things and the dealer has been good to me. However I can't stop thinking that this truck will continue to have problems. In my eyes it's already had two if the biggest problems a new vehicle could have. My confidence in my new GMC is gone. I fear it will leave us on the side of the interstate on a Sunday with our camper in tow waiting for assistance and trying to figure out how to get the camper towed. All of this of course many many miles from home. 

 

I'd like to thank you all for your comments/suggestions/concerns. They have helped me.

 

Daryl

[Ak_grown]

Well i believe in the 3 strike rule, you are on strike 2. if this replaced engine fails or the transmission goes out that would be a strike 3. but that is just my thoughts and the angle i would take it. I hope the best to you and you get to enjoy your vacation. 

[crushNchowda]

On 5/5/2019 at 7:05 PM, martinto said:

2016 GMC SLT 6.2 with max tow pkg.  towing a 7000lb TT from SC to Washington State and back.  In Iowa at 3700 miles on the truck, she hemorrhages on the Hwy.  She went into limp mode and I was able to get the 8 miles back to the campground.  Dealer 30 miles away picked it up...found a failed lifter.  GM had a history on this issue and had replacement parts in the pipeline and shipped the next day.  GM initially offered to put me in another truck to continue the journey west.  As it was, they completed the repairs the next day, and we were on our way.  Finished the 7300 mile trip 7 weeks later towing and no additional problems.  Probably a bad production lot of lifters.  I was in automotive mfg’ing at Honda & BMW, and given the hard reality that a small % of products can fail, you bank on warranty and goodwill by the dealer and Mfg’er.  What’s important is that they fix it correctly and help you on your way.  

 "bad production run of lifters" = EVERY GM engine w/ AFM has shit lifters, EVERY engine they produce w/ that crap runs the risk of partial of full blown failure. No coincidence I had dropped lifters on an '08 G8 GT @ the 90k mark, dropped lifters on an '07 Silverado 5.3 @ 110k (granted was actually under ownership of a friend I had sold it to at that point so didn't inconvenience me personally, but still another instance of this issue), & dropped lifters/bad injectors/bad fuel rail on my last truck 2015 GMC 6.2, I had a '14 5.3 that was starting to get a tick on cold start before it got totaled @ 42k miles as well.

 

I used to be a GM fanboy diehard, I truly feel bad for everyone on here who has been duped/let down by them. It's not just that they produced crappy quality/junk parts - hell, that's been a Dodge stereotype (probably unwarranted really @ this point) for a while - but GM KNEW/KNOWS they're putting out some shit stuff & just keeps doing it, shortens their warranty coverage, etc. Like, for instance, DO NOT sit there and tell me you don't know GM trucks shake. Just don't. 

 

Went to Ford. Not looking back. 

 

Now GM trying to copy Ford & to lesser extent Dodge w/ their '19+ trucks. Blatantly obvious.

 

While its true EVERY make can & does have it issues, my opinion is GM has simply gotten egregious about it at this point. Their last "golden" era was back in late 90's through early 2000's until shit hit the fan.

 

One of the most reliable/well engineered/does what its intended vehicles I have ever owned is my '03 Z06.................and I KNOW there are many guys on this forum who pine for the days they were driving their circa 2002 GMC sierra V8......