The GMC Sierra pickup truck is GMC’s best-selling model in the United States, with 191,186 models sold in 2021 alone. However, some GMC Sierra trucks have been included in class action lawsuits that allege serious defects in its 8-speed and 10-speed transmissions.
Along with other Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC models, 2016-2024 GMC Sierra trucks have experienced these transmission issues:
- Shifting problems
- Vehicle shaking
- Transmission shudder
- Torque converter problems
- Jerking when accelerating
- Harsh gear engagement
- Difficulty stopping
To provide a glimpse into the issues plaguing some GMC Sierra trucks, we have compiled a sample of complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Please note that the complaints on the GMC Sierra truck have been edited for grammar and clarity.
2016-2018 GMC Sierra Transmission Complaints
2016 GMC Sierra
This complaint follows the same pattern for thousands of vehicles manufactured by general motors. The specific component is the 8L90 8-speed transmission. The vehicle has experienced torque converter shudder since the purchase date of 06/28/2016. Numerous “Attempts” via TSBs and cover-ups by General Motors has failed to alleviate the common shifting, shuddering, rough shifting, lurching out of control along with appurtenant damage to adjacent components and structures within the vehicle itself. The vehicle manufacturer has attempted to forestall remedy at the expense of consumers. It has knowingly violated specific requirements for merchantability of said vehicle. If such knowledge had been in my possession prior to purchase, I would never have purchased the subject vehicle. Damage to torque converter components via polluted fluid and destructive particles caused by torque converter malfunction are situated throughout the entire structure of the named transmission itself. Valve bodies. Gears. Filters, fluids and tolerances have all been affected by the known deficiency by the stated manufacturer: general motors corporation. General Motors has shown neither the desire; nor will, to effect a meaningful and reliable solution to this problem.
2016 GMC Sierra
The transmission failed on my vehicle while going highway speeds. The vehicle shifted into neutral and I was force to pull onto the shoulder. The check engine light came on and would no longer drive without the vehicle being turned off and then back on. It would still repeat this problem over the next 2 miles while I traveled to an exit to get to a safe location. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and inspected. An internal problem was found and the whole transmission has to be replace at about 79,000 miles.
2016 GMC Sierra
Vehicle shakes and shudders. Transmission required to be replaced at 70,710 miles. Dealership said the torque converter and transmission failure is a common event in these vehicles and wasn’t covered under warranty.
2016 GMC Sierra
When placing the truck in Drive, there is a very hard ‘clunk’ between first and second gear. Additionally, when driving, the truck shakes/shudders, mostly on the highway, but sometimes in town when driving between 25 and 70 m.p.h. The first instance was in March 2019, whereby the dealer indicated this was normal operation for this transmission. As it seemed to get worse, I took it back and was told the transmission fluid was the wrong type and I had to pay to get it evacuated and changed out, even though this was an error on GMs part.
2017 GMC Sierra
Within a couple of days after purchasing the vehicle new, I noticed a vibration or shudder when the transmission shifted. Also, the truck would slam into gear almost like being hit in the back end, and on a few occasions while driving on the highway the truck would just downshift by itself thereby causing the engine RPM’s to rev above 5,000. It has been to the dealer four times, transmission has been re-calibrated, the new and improved fluid flush and these problems still exist. The truck has just under 60k miles and has started downshifting on a regular basis, causing the engine to rev. How long is that going to last before the engine blows or causes permanent damage?
2017 GMC Sierra
I have an 8-speed transmission that stalls upon acceleration lurches and surges when trying to shift gears. When coming to a stop lunges forward due to a shift in the transmission. I have taken to the dealer multiple times and express my concerns, they finally replaced torque converter and flushed transmission.
2018 GMC Sierra
Transmission is slamming violently during shifting, [and] transmission fluid is dark and contaminated. Dealer says, “operating as designed, no issue found.” Also, [the] truck shakes and vibrates violently while driving.
2018 GMC Sierra
Purchased vehicle brand new from dealership and from day one, I notice the power train slow to shifting from gear one to two. The vehicle hesitates and sometimes shifts hard only during cold starts. Every time I take it in for my schedule service, I report the same issue to my service advisor along with the service manager at the GMC dealership. They say that it is a normal problem and they know about it.
The last schedule service I told them about the same problem, this time his service tech test drove vehicle and said the torque converter was shuddering, causing vibration. They said they changed the transmission fluid. Today I still notice the same issue and will report to the dealership next time I take in for service. I have read this is a common problem from the manufacturer since putting in an 8-speed transmission. I feel this is a safety issue and someday I may feel that the transmission may lock up on me and may cause an accident.
2019-2024 GMC Sierra Transmission Complaints
Many 2019 and newer GMC Sierra trucks come equipped with 10-speed transmissions, which lend to distinct GM 10-speed transmission issues such as harsh shifting, shuddering, hesitation, gear shifting problems and loss of power. However, not all newer model GMC Sierra trucks come with the 10-speed transmission. Some GMC Sierra trucks still come with the 6L80 or 8L90 (8-speed) transmissions, the latter of which may cause the Chevy Shake.
2019 GMC Sierra
First feeling was, I was driving in a parking lot going maybe 5 miles an hour and I felt a vibration in the brake pedal. Pulled onto the main road and approached a stop light when the truck stopped a little hard as I was depressing the brake pedal. As I started pressing on the gas when the light turned green, I was traveling around 35 mph or so, when the truck came to a complete stop in which myself and passenger were slightly thrown forward due to the abrupt stop for no apparent reason. The vehicle in back of me nearly rear-ended me due to the abrupt stop the truck did. I immediately contacted the dealer, in which after several days in the shop, the dealer told me that GMC knew about this particular issue but has not issued a recall. The dealer was instructed to replace the transmission control module, due to a malfunction in the TCM that apparently was trying to shut the truck down completely. Therefore causing the truck to stop abruptly with no warning.
2019 GMC Sierra
The 2019 GMC Sierra I own shifts extremely hard from a stopped position or when changing from reverse to drive. The shift is so forceful, that it feels like I have been struck by another vehicle. The overall feeling is that the vehicle is not safe to drive and it is not a reliable mode of transportation. The delayed shift, vibration and jerk, makes this vehicle a hazard to drive, as the ability to predict the issue is impossible. There are no other warning lights, or messages prior to the error. Online forums show this to be a known issue.
2019 GMC Sierra
When I bought the vehicle in October 2018, I have taken the vehicle back to the dealership multiple occasions and they refuse to fix this issue. The transmission shifts from first to second gear or second to first gear. It’s clunky, jerks forward and shifts without warning. While sitting at a stoplight, the vehicle will sometimes lurch forward several inches without warning even with your foot on the brake. Furthermore, when accelerating between first and second gear, it’s sluggish and takes several seconds to shift from first to second the engine revs high.
2020 GMC Sierra
The transmission went at 67,000 miles and posed a safety issue when my husband was driving & suddenly couldn’t drive above 1st gear. Vehicle is at the GM dealer and has been for weeks, but there have been so many issues with the transmissions of this year, make & model, that the transmissions are on back order and we are told it can be MONTHS before they get one in. The dealer already has another one that has been waiting for once since April. We know of others with this same issue on this make/model/yr, as well as engine issues, but yet there are NO recalls for this issue. The only warning that came on was when the issue occurred- no prior warning or indications. GM is involved but make no comment on why there isn’t a recall for an obvious known issue.
2020 GMC Sierra
Bearing in transmission failed at 75,000 miles. Took to dealership and they said truck needs new transmission. Truck makes rattling noise in transmission pan. Dealer said that oil was full of metal shavings. Dealer also said that this was second truck in 2 weeks with same issue. No warning lights or check engine lights came on. Dealer advised that the transmission could fail and to park it until I can pay $6000 for transmission replacement. Dealer heard rattling and confirmed metal shavings. Transmission failure could result in traffic hazard or accident if transmission loses all drive ability.
2020 GMC Sierra
At 550 miles, had to tow to dealer. They said needed to reprogram transmission. Now at 4,000 miles, went to start and vehicle will not do anything. No power. It is being towed to dealer again. Pretty much bought a lemon as it looks now.
2021 GMC Sierra
Transmission shifting is at times confused causing the vehicle to jump forward shifting to first gear. It pushes your vehicle 2-5 miles an hr faster when slowing down. The transmission also does the opposite when letting off the accelerator, shifting fast to a lower gear slowing the vehicle down quickly in a jerking motion at times. I have an 8 speed transmission. GMC dealer is replacing my torque converter, stating this may fix the issue, but it is a safety concern.
2021 GMC Sierra
Transmission shifts hard when shifting up and when downshifting. Vehicle jerks when going speeds less than 40 after coming off highway at highway speeds above 70.
2021 GMC Sierra
Can turn vehicle off while in gear (drive specifically). When you let off the brake, the truck acts as if it is in neutral. Discovered in my driveway when accidentally forgot to shift into park when I pulled in and pushed the stop button. Truck turned off, which would only expect if in park (or neutral), let off brake, and it began quickly rolling backwards as if it was in neutral. Fortunately the brakes were working, but had any children been riding a bike on the sidewalk or walking by, my truck may have hit them. Had I been more distracted and not noticed initially, it could have rolled into the road and hit my neighbors truck. This behavior can be reproduced every single time, and I can easily supply video.
2022 GMC Sierra
The transmission became inoperable and a message appeared on the display ‘Engine Power Is Reduced’ in area of the highway where the speed limit is 55 and then the transmission failed completely and left the engine revving at high rpm and not moving the vehicle forward and we rolled to the side of the road to a stop. This was a very dangerous situation as traffic was flying past us and had to move out of the way of our coasting vehicle. It was towed to a GMC dealership about 8 miles away as it is still under warranty. I’ve read many stories in GM forums about problems with this GM 10 speed transmission in this pickup truck. This needs to be looked into as a potential recall as this problem left us stranded on the side of the road as we had to wait for a ride because we had a dog with wife and I. Currently there is not a transmission recall listed for this vehicle. We were lucky to be in an area where we had cell phone service and relatively close to home, within 10 miles.
2022 GMC Sierra
On 05/28/2022 my family was driving my brand new 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 3.0 Diesel at a rate of 60mph. There was suddenly a loud clunk (transmission) after proceeding a little further and getting speed back to 60mph there was a similar “clunk”… the diesel truck then immediately gained several various check engine / sensor lights all over the dash and went into Limp Mode.
Speed slowly decreased from 60mph and finally as we were navigating our final left turn to our destination, the truck would not accelerate through an intersection subjecting our entire family to utter danger of oncoming vehicles. As a last ditch effort to save ourselves I put the truck in reverse and was able to reverse about 2mph. Then proceeded to shut the truck down and turn it back on to get out of the intersection, but the truck would not come out of park. Onstar emergency was contacted to call the police as we were in an extremely dangerous situation. This truck nearly caused our entire family to get in a very bad collision. The truck was stuck in the middle of the intersection for over 2 hours. The police even attempted to help getting the truck out of park , but was unsuccessful.
The truck was scanned on site and had various codes including C1555 (x4) U0101 (x2) P25A2 U220F Collision assist, light Check engine light, Service Traction Control Light, Service ESC. The truck experienced catastrophic failure at only 319 miles. Day 4 of ownership. This vehicle needs to be investigated if it is failing this early on. There also needs to be a manual release for the parking gear. Truck has no way to be placed in neutral upon failure of the transmission relay.
2023 GMC Sierra
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to shake abnormally with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after arriving at a parking structure, the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Have A GMC Sierra Lemon? Here’s What To Do
If you have recurring problems with your GMC Sierra’s transmission, your vehicle may be a lemon. However, GMC Sierras are not the only GMC vehicle model experiencing these recurring problems. Read more about the Chevy Shake and your California lemon law rights. If you would like more information, complete the form below to request a free consultation.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2020–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
