2017 Sierra Denali Transmission and Drivers seat issue. Help with warranty

[mattarmstr]

I’m fairly new here and I apologize if this is a worn out subject but I have a few issues and questions, more pertaining on dealing with the dealership and warranty coverage.

 

In February of this year I traded my 2014 Silverado LT 5.3 double cab for a 2017 GMC Sierra Denali 6.2. Black, ultimate Denali package, 22’s, longer bed, the works. I absolutely love it. I drive a lot for work but it only has around 57,000 kms. 
 

I have two issues though. One, yes the dreaded 8 speed clunk. It usually only does it when it’s cold, but sometimes it will on other occasions. It will sometimes rev up like it’s holding first gear and it bumps into second gear on the upshift. Other times you will be slowing down and it will bump as it downshifts into first gear. Sometimes I’ll even be stopped completely and I’ll feel the transmission bump down hard into first. One day two weeks ago I was heading onto the highway from a stop. My truck seemed to rev forever in first gear and when it went to shift into second it slipped so bad I had no power at all. I almost got rear ended by a tractor trailer in the process! I slowly eased off the gas and coasted to a stop.My truck then proceeded to shift somewhat normally. I notice a huge difference when the transmission Fluid gets up to temperature. Sometimes though I’ll be on the highway and I’ll floor it and it’s like it’s just locked around 3000 rpms and doesn’t downshift, other times no problem.

 

The other issue is the drivers seat. There’s a squeaking and almost a rattling somewhere, like something swinging inside slightly. It happens when you bump side to side on bumps in the road or driving real slow shifting in your seat. It’s very annoying and I can’t stand it. I live in Canada and this truck new was over $100,000, this is unacceptable if you ask me. At the end of the day it’s a safety concern because I’m doubting the structural integrity of the seat. It has 57,000 kms on it and is barely 4 years old, I don’t feel as though I should be responsible for the cost to repair what I consider a faulty seat.

Onto the service from the local dealer. I scheduled an appointment for 8:00 am for Friday, April 23rd. I dropped off my truck the night before. The next morning ( I was home from work unpaid I’m an electrician ) I get a call around 10:30 am telling me that the service manager drove my truck around, and there’s nothing wrong. I said that’s false, I don’t take the days off just for the hell of it. The receptionist said “ well you can take a drive with the service manager and see if the transmission shakes or the seat makes a noise “. Without a vehicle they sent me a taxi for me to go to the dealership. I got there, got my keys and waited for the service manager. He finally came out and I took him for a drive. I went over bumps, drove side to side and there was an obvious creeping/squeaking coming from the drivers seat. I asked “ do you hear that? There’s a noise coming from the seat am I right? “ he agreed there was something wrong with the seat. Try as my might the transmission wouldn’t slip or bump ( obviously it wouldn’t when I want it to) while him in the truck until we were in the dealer parking lot it finally bumped into second, I asked if he felt that and he agreed but promptly said it was normal and tried to show me some service bulletin that was unrelated to the issue entirely.

 

Returned to the dealer, I was already charged a diagnosis charge on my credit card which I feel I paid $83.47 for nothing. A drive down the road isn’t a proper diagnosis, especially after he admits there are issues after I come and show him. All he said was the transmission bumping in and out of gear was normal, that the bulletin about the transmission fluid exchange only pertained to torque converter shudder on the highway, and that the seat wasn’t covered at all. He said if I wanted the transmission fluid exchange done, that has been done countless times free of charge under service bulletin 18-NA-355, it would cost me $872.16 for the fluid alone, and $239.90 for labour. For the seat all he said was “ well in the past we have had to replace the whole frame”. How in the hell does he know that’s the issue? Half an hour earlier he said there was nothing wrong at all. I don’t feel as though my issues were properly diagnosed and I don’t feel I should be responsible for the repair costs. He quoted me a new frame for $ 542.12 and labour of $479.80 which is absolutely ridiculous. Total of $1626.42 PLUS LABOUR being $719.70 for a grand total of $2346.16 for a transmission flush and faulty seat that they claim is totally uncovered by powertrain warranty, and without a proper diagnosis I don’t see how they could accurately say these repairs would even fix the issues on hand. I did purchase an outside warranty on top of existing but I feel these are issues that should be covered under GM. I left the dealership and promptly called GMC Canada to open a case file for me to investigate.

 

I’ve been in contact with the rep from GM Canada and am supposed to receive an update by phone tomorrow. I’m just wondering is there anything else I can do on my end? I’ve sent the rep emails containing all receipts and correspondence with the dealer, as well as links to articles pertaining to the new transmission fluid exchange procedure and symptoms similar to my transmission issues. Has anyone had any luck dealing with GM and having a case open? Are my concerns valid? Am I in the right thinking these issues should be covered by GM? Any help/ feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading my long winded post

[SeekAndDestroy]

@mattarmstr

You have full bumper to bumper warranty until 60000 km. I would find a different dealer and see what they say. I just had my tranny fluid done, all I had to say was that it was clunking. No questions asked they just did it

[JimCost2014]

Show this to the dealership:

 

The GMC New Vehicle Limited Warranty is provided by General Motors of Canada Company for new vehicles sold, registered, and normally operated in Canada. The warranties for your new GMC will cover parts and labour required to correct any vehicle defect which occurs due to materials or workmanship during the applicable coverage period. Warranty coverages begin on the date your vehicle is first delivered and end at the expiration of the coverage period. Warranty repairs can be obtained from any GM dealer facility handling your vehicle line. The coverages and benefits of your vehicle's warranties are transferable at no cost to any subsequent person(s) who assumes ownership while a coverage period is in effect. Please see your vehicle's Warranty Booklet and Owner's Manual which contains information regarding terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and coverage periods applicable to the warranties, and important information on how to maintain your warranties.

[djw88]

I think you are going a bit overboard. 

[mattarmstr]

49 minutes ago, djw88 said:

I think you are going a bit overboard. 

So I’m just expected to pay $1110.91 with tax just to get a transmission fluid exchange done that has been done for free under Powertrain countless times for trucks with similar issues and mileage? 

[djw88]

3 hours ago, mattarmstr said:

So I’m just expected to pay $1110.91 with tax just to get a transmission fluid exchange done that has been done for free under Powertrain countless times for trucks with similar issues and mileage? 

yes, they have said they wont.

or just do it yourself its not hard nor expensive.

then go on with your life

[mattarmstr]

13 minutes ago, djw88 said:

yes, they have said they wont.

or just do it yourself its not hard nor expensive.

then go on with your life

You do you buddy and I’ll do me. Given the option to spend thousands of my hard earned money or not when I don’t have to or shouldn’t have to, I’ll go with the latter every time. And you are right, I could do it myself but why would I? It’s covered! It’s supposed to be anyways. 
 

It’s worth a fight, I’m not one to just roll over and let some multi billion dollar company do whatever they want to me, but they’re are people that will and that’s why they continue to get away with it. That’s just my opinion, have a good day. 

[djw88]

37 minutes ago, mattarmstr said:

You do you buddy and I’ll do me. Given the option to spend thousands of my hard earned money or not when I don’t have to or shouldn’t have to, I’ll go with the latter every time. And you are right, I could do it myself but why would I? It’s covered! It’s supposed to be anyways. 
 

It’s worth a fight, I’m not one to just roll over and let some multi billion dollar company do whatever they want to me, but they’re are people that will and that’s why they continue to get away with it. That’s just my opinion, have a good day. 

best of luck storming the castle.

[silveradosid]

you bought a 2017, 3 years or 60k. so the seat is your problem, you do have power train warranty still and they should do something about the tranny, but if the useless service manager says there is nothing wrong then gm wont help you either. can you tell me the name of the dealership