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Article Comments - 2007 GMC Sierra Denali Full Test

130 messages,  Last post on Sep 17, 2011 at 10:04 PM

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What is this discussion about? GMC Sierra 1500, Truck

Article comments for Full Test: 2007 GMC Sierra Denali - The 2007 GMC Sierra Denali is GM's top-of-the-line luxury pickup, but it emphasizes the truck part of the equation as much as the luxury part. (more)

Messages Page 11 of 13

#101 of 130 Re: Hey skytop [obyone] www.Ripoffreports.com by skytop1

Sep 04, 2007 (6:11 am)

Replying to: obyone (Sep 03, 2007 11:32 pm)
Obyone:
I was searching for a site to read the TSB summaries. The TSB codes on the list are not recognized on the NHSTA site. When I search for the Denali, the NHSTA site only recognizes the Sierra 1500 and does not identify the Denali. Any suggestions, please?
 
Interestingly, during a search, I came across a site called:
www.RIPOFFREPORT.com Mind you, this site allows people to report on all manufacturers or company conduct, not just GM.
 
I clicked on the search engine link and was presented with a chap who was having a major problem with a GMC Sierra transmission back in 2001 similar to what I am having now in 2007.
  
Looks like GM is still up to their old tricks with business as usual. "Still crazy after all these years!"
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/042/RipOff0042282.htm

#102 of 130 For a detailed description of the TSB list you can try by obyone

Sep 04, 2007 (6:24 am)

these sites: (sorry none are free)
 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm
 
http://www.alldatadiy.com/
 
I would use the alldatadiy site as you can obtain the data instantly rather than request and wait via the NHTSA site.

#103 of 130 Re: Hey skytop [skytop1] by tadb1973

Sep 14, 2007 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: skytop1 (Sep 04, 2007 5:16 am)
Hey All,
 
Was just doing some research online about the transmission of my 2007 Sierra Denali AWD...black on black....beautiful. Ive had it since March and now have 9,000 miles on my truck. Im a car guy and really enjoy fast, good-looking vehicles. My Denali has been in the shop 4 times since Ive had it. These were the problems. The driver door leaked buckets in the first rain. At first they couldnt replicate the issue in their "rain simulator" (didnt believe me)...so I left thinking maybe I left the window cracked or something. Same thing happened again the next rain...went back...they figured it out this time...they had to adjust the window glass on its track and that fixed it. A few weeks later, the sunroof leaked and stained my headliner. That sucked. Took it in...they trimmed some plastic in the sunroof gutter so the water could drain properly. No problem. Then my bumper came loose and almost fell off while driving...somebody in traffic let me know what was happening (really embarrasing) Took it in. Loose bolts apparently. Dealer fixed it. My driver seat belt started clicking very loudly and pulled halfway out of the retainer...it was "adjusted." As i drove away it did it again...turned around and showed them it wasnt fixed...they told me there was no way to fix this problem...oh well...the truck still looks good.
 
To the good stuff...when my truck hit about 1,000 miles...the transmission started to buck and slam occasionally while driving on the highway. No too bad though...Ive had a few Jeeps that kinda did the same thing. As long as I babied the gas pedal...no sudden accelerations or sudden "foot off the gas" moves...no problems. I lived with this for several thousand miles now...the slamming and bucking of the transmission is worse than ever. Sounds like it is coming loose from the engine block! Very loud! Ive been working a thousand miles from home for the past 3 months and hate to take this to a dealer im not familiar with...and from past experience...a dealer hates to service a truck they didnt sell! My point is...I gotta agree with what skytop says about this truck....its a piece of shit (still fast as hell and good looking though!) Im bad with money and seem to get screwed in most things in life...i will chalk this one up with all the rest of lifes disappointments and not worry about blaming GM. Hopefully things work out for me...ill let you all know how the dealer treats me when I get back home. Hopefully the tranny doesnt fall out in the meantime!

#104 of 130 2007 Sierra Denali Update by 1oldcarguy

Sep 16, 2007 (8:56 am)

Now that a few more weeks and miles have past, a few more ownership observations for your reading entertainment:
 
The transmission clunk/jerk is still there, intermittently, especially at low speeds. Transmission upshifts are not as progressive/quick as they should be either. (probably the computer program is backing off on too much engine power)
Symptoms are less pronounced if you do not drive with a heavy foot, but very disappointing that this isn't a crisply shifting tranny. ('Sky Pilot Guy' can be the poster boy or hero for this one.
 
Gas mileage on the highway is still 19.5 -20 mpg, if you set your cruise control at 65mph and hope to hell nobody goes up your tail pipe.
 
The engine still feels very 'tight', definitely does not yet feel like 400+ hp and 400+ lbs. of torque.
 
The ergonomics team should be taken out and given more than a few hard dope slaps: "Dress'em up as seals and feed them to the sharks.
With contol buttons nearly all the same shape and many the size of an overgrown match stick head; more and more do you have to take your eyes of the road to read/see what control to aim your finger at. This situation is definitely 1 step forward , 3 steps back....
   
Design without practical function is art and belongs in a museum.
     
Put all that stuff in an Boy Racer, paint it red, lower it and call it an SS Chevy. Or, keep the bling in the Caddy.
 
What the hell happened to controls you could locate, distinguish and operate with your eyes shut ?
 
Don't try to put a chain around your front tow hooks as you will wipe out the plastic chrome housing.
 
Don't look for foot-well lighting, door panel safety lamps or even a dedicated change holder. They are history.
   
I would trade the standard remote start feature in heartbeat for some of the "de-contented stuff mentioned here and in our earlier post.
 
Besides, how "Green" can GM be, promoting a 400hp engine running without a driver ?
 
Don't look too close at the $2000.00, 20" chrome wheels either. Ours has plating so thin that the unfinished rough sanding marks beneath the surface are quite visible. I've seen better quality from China.
 
Lack of a telescoping steering wheel has been mentioned by many trade reviewers and I will add another dope slap to those responsible bean counters for that omission as well. (I wonder how the $60,000+ Escalade owners feel about that)
 
Overall 'build' seems good thus far. No squeaks or rattles. The ride is compliant and mostly quiet, although we have some wind noise at the drivers upper window/door area.
 
I do not like the extra ride height of this truck. I do not think anyone is really planning any real 'off road' excursions with their Denali. I would rather have a lower center of gravity, especially when towing a trailer or swerving around a deer in the highway at 65mph. And the extra ride/height/design of the hood renders the present fog lamps visibility/effectiveness to about useless.
 
The front seats to me seem just ok. Not enough lumbar support and no side support.
 
The 500+ page owners manual does not fit in the glove box although there is a slot in the center console for it.
For us, the top of the center console is too high for an arm rest now that the dedicated seat arm rests have gone missing.
The center console is not divided and it becomes a dark hole with everything falling to the bottom. Not even a clip or two is provided that will hold a pen/pencil.
And the console top cover hinge should be on the side. (not at the back)
 
The exterior design gets a thumbs up from most who like trucks. Many like the "in your face" design of the front grill, but also realize the front end has the aerodynamics of a brick.
 
0% financing for 60 months and the 100k mile powertrain warranty is what did it for us or we would not have given up the '04 Quadrasteer Sierra Denali for this new design. That prior truck had enough of the right stuff for us, that without the above mentioned perks, my employer would have looked for another 2004 low mileage Sierra Denali.
 
I hope you guys continue to add honest and critical comments here when justified. We all bought American for a reason, so maybe we can have a small part in refining what we use everyday.

#105 of 130 Went to the track... by markisliev

Oct 21, 2007 (5:06 pm)

Took my 2wd Sierra Denali to the track on Friday. Ran 13.9898.98 mph...on 3 mod's. Intake, exhaust, and tune.
 
My very 1st run I trapped 99.49mph.... I think that is crazy for a big truck!
 

#106 of 130 Re: Went to the track... [markisliev] by obyone

Oct 22, 2007 (12:30 am)

Replying to: markisliev (Oct 21, 2007 5:06 pm)
Did you run it before the tune to see the difference?

#107 of 130 Re: Went to the track... [obyone] by markisliev

Oct 22, 2007 (6:16 am)

Replying to: obyone (Oct 22, 2007 12:30 am)
No, I never ran this truck at the track b4.
 
I'm 2wd, there are a couple of bone stock AWD's that have run 14.4 and 14.6 at the track. You can go to denalitrucks.com for more info....
 
I put down 350 rear wheel HP with just a intake and tune, I never dyno'ed since adding an exhaust. people at the track could not belive I was running that fast with minor mods. Folks were looking under the hood for NOS....LOL!

#108 of 130 Re: 2007 Sierra Denali Update [1oldcarguy] by gmsutton

Oct 22, 2007 (9:51 am)

Replying to: 1oldcarguy (Sep 16, 2007 8:56 am)
I have about 2700 miles on my Denali. I had the exhaust tweaked into dual pipes and added an Air Intake. Probably waisted my money on it, but sure like this truck. Having come out of my Chevy K2500 Crew Cab 8100V-8, this truck is much more of a pleasure to drive. I only have a couple of concerns. One is the clunk I hear when I pull up my inclinde driveway to park. I miss the Allison trans. The other issue is the little navagation noise that goes on all the time. Maybe there is a way to silence it, but it's just alittle annoying.
What I like about the truck is the feel. It is fun to drive, I look forward to it. I enjoy the
music and it's sure-footed stance with those enormous 20" tires. I like the way the back seat folds up to carry stuff home.
The gas mileage has been pretty good as far as tank fill ups. I have not measured it but know it is far better than the guzzler I used to have. As far as power, no it does not feel as strong as it should but I suspect it is in the gearing. If you punch it at about 55 it will scoot. Feels like the thrust of a Corvette I had when I was young. No low end power but that sucker would fly out on the road and this Denali does, too.
Would I recommend this truck, YES! I even recommeded to my General Manager and he bought one, too. He likes his almost as much as I like mine. He was upset about the spare tire thing, but I told him that is what AAA is for!
Knowing what I know now, would I purchase this truck...YES!
Everyone has opinions and I say GMC did an excellant job with this truck. Are there things that could be improved, probably. But what in this life isn't that way...nothing!
There you have it from another Old Car Guy!
 

#109 of 130 Re: 2007 Sierra Denali Update [gmsutton] by markisliev

Oct 22, 2007 (9:58 am)

Replying to: gmsutton (Oct 22, 2007 9:51 am)
You bottom end will get stronger after you get a few more miles on it....

#110 of 130 Navigation Screen Brightness by tsully

Nov 03, 2007 (9:05 am)

Can the nav screen brightness be adjusted? There is an automatic mode that at night is to bright. I know there are manual day and night modes you can adjust the brightness and contrast settings. So in order for me not to have the bright screen at night I use the manual modes. Wish that the manual settings could become the default settings for the automatic mode. I have to adjust that screen at least twice a day. Any ideas?
Thanks Troy

Messages Page 11 of 13

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