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Pickups Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra Article Comments - 2007 GMC Sierra Denali Full Test
128 messages, Last post on Mar 28, 2009 at 1:25 PM
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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)
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You buy the new Sierra Denali with the 6 speed tranny and based on my Denali AWD purchase experience, you will certainly live to regret your purchase. GM acknowledges they have major problems with the transmission and accompanying engine problems. The entire adaptive learning torque control computer system and network is plagued with bugs. GM acknowledges these many problems and openly states they have NO FIX FOR THESE PROBLEMS for at least the next 6 months or more. Also, they have major problems with the computer system running the A/C.The A/C stops working on a regular time cycle (in any mode or temp setting) blowing warm stagnant smelling air. GM cannot fix it!!! How's that for a $50,000 vehicle in 2007?? Consider it!! I have a brand new Denali and I regret my purchase. The myriad electrical problems, disasterous shifting transmission, unintended acceleration problems while braking, sudden violent downshifts, jolting upshifts, clanking rear end noises, the soft vibrating suspension, the illegible dash board (being replaced by GM due to poor design), unsupported steering column, electric window switches that drain the battery DEAD, rear parking assistance system glitches, worthless tilt steering wheel adjustment, dangerous unintended foot actuated hood release, stupid console design all conspire together to make this the WORST truck purchase I have ever made. Yes, it is a handsome design, but the Denali 6 speed is rotten inside. I own one and I am speaking straight objective facts. |
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| Hmm I like mine so far....I don't have any of these bugs you speak of...I paid 37 for mine w/2wd,nav,sunroof | |
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Replying to: skytop1 (Jul 16, 2007 6:21 pm) About 25% of the time was dedicated to towing a 30' RV weighing between 9000lb-9500lbs., pending cargo. It's a shame that GM discontinued this featured instead of refining it further. Safety, stability and the unmatched manuverability made this an extremely enjoyable and desireable vehicle. With the odometer approaching 100k miles on the 2004 Denali, my employer recently decided to purchase a new AWD Sierra Denali. I make the following observations for the first 30 days of use: The addition of a 400+hp motor is a very nice feature but reducing the towing capacity to 8500lbs (from the previous 2004, 6 liter set-up of 9900lbs tow capacity), makes no sense at all. Using a 3.42 rear end ratio does indeed achieve the 19mpg on the highway when driven with a light foot and staying under 70mph. But I think the 3.73 rear end ratio would have been a better choice. Premium gas is requested. The ride is acceptable and it is quieter than the '04. The brakes are much improved. We have not experienced the transmission problems mentioned in this forum, but the transmission did have a clunk or two on the first day which has not reappeared. What is very disppointing to me, is the 'de-contenting' that GM has decided to apply to this vehicle. I list the missing standard features (compared to the 2004 Denali) accordingly and in no particular order: no electric shocks no step bars no tonneau cover no mud flaps no bed rail protectors no overhead console no interior sunvisor extension or auxilliary sun visor no cab roof lamps no perimeter lamps integrated in the bottom of the side - view mirrors no front seat integrated arm rest (and of course, Quadrasteer) Something that was dropped years ago which should be made as an available option: An extendable underhood lamp. Paying this kind of money for this particular vehicle should assure an owner of certain conveniences that are useful and for us, needed in day to day transportation. Although most of these items are available aftermarket, I think this truck should have been more 'turn key'. (We were not looking for the 'bling' of an Escalade but when towing in all types of weather, AWD helps. The interior is handsome, but I guess ergonomics are a thing of the past. Too many small buttons and controls require a distracting amount of attention from driving. Gone are the days when certain controls fell to hand and the shape and feel of these controls were easy to distinguish and operate without distraction. I am sure this will be a very decent truck over the next 3 years; but I hope that Quadrasteer makes a comeback and more intuitive and less distracting layered electronic contols becomes an important goal inside the cab. |
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Replying to: 1oldcarguy (Aug 10, 2007 10:55 am) Since you love your Denali so much, I certainly don't want you to open the hood in sunlight and see that about 30% of the metal is NOT painted with color or clear. It is left in greenish prime. I checked the line of new Sierras in three dealerships and found this is how GM paints their trucks. No care in the build, whatsoever. No other manufacturer would have the nerve or stupidity to finish a vehicle off so poorly as GM does. Also, wait till your paint starts to mysteriously start chipping off. They have NO PRIDE or care in the way they produce, paint and finish these turds...and it shows. Oh yes, watch out for your electric windows switches. They are draining batteries and driving GM crazy with this endemic problem that they cannot fix. In traffic or slowing up under 20 mph, watch your transmission act like it is a 1957 hydramatic clunking and banging into gears. Also, if you have to pass or need power to safely avoid an accident, there is a 4 second delay before the transmission responds (see Edmunds review) Why? GM's state of the art learning adaptive torque control transmission is unfortunately unable to interpret what the driver is really trying to do so it will accelerate the engine whey you are braking getting as if you were in stop-go traffic and not approaching a stop sign. Insideous! Also, try stabing the gas on the highway and watch what happens. Nothing! Hit the gas a few times and your gas pedal will go TOTALLY DEAD. If you were in a dramatic traffic situation, the computer will put you in the gravest of danger. You might as well stomp on the carpet. The computer turns off. GM should have it's face slapped for this major safety defect. Another big plus in design advancement from General Motors brain trust. Tip into the gas while you are going at any constant speed between 40 and 60 mph and your sterling truck DECELERATE as you watch the engine rpm's DROP. You have to really put your foot into it (and then wait to see what the transmission decides to do) substantially before you can get this overweight hulk to move. 403 HP ? Ha. The truck is only 'fast' out of the hole. At speed, it is a slug. The midrange torque is marginal and you must sit their waiting for the transmission to decide which gear to stay in before it will finally begin to move. Another disappointment, big time. When you get into your big brand new 4X4 rig, hoist yourself up by grasping the steering wheel and pull. Say, there is NO GRIP handle on the A pillar like every other manufacturer installs. GM forces you to use the steering wheel as a grab handle instead. This is a real inconvenience to the owner each time you enter the truck. Additionally, a problem is created. A a short while, you will damage the thrust bearing in the major column assembly causing your column to become loose and 'click clank' as you apply any pressure to it. this is yet another great GM feature on your new premium truck. Enjoy the loose wheel and noise, you paid for it! While driving, watch out where you put your feet. If you adjust your left foot location for comfort sake while driving, you can very easily engange the hood release! This happened to me at 75 mph on the interstate. Yes, after 100 years of making vehicles, the MORONS and IMBECILES at GM design have created an unsafe hood release that is phenomenally easy to accidentally operate possibly causing a supremely dangerous accident if the second interlock fails and your hood completely flies open. This design flaw is so serious and so blatant it is astounding the government doesn't force a full blown recall on the design. Remember GM's current Sierra motto "We examined everything and overlooked nothing." What a major LIE and total INSULT to the consumer. GM has NO REGARD for the integrity or safety of the buyer. How do they manage to design a vehicle with these major defects in design???? I sincerly believe GM is engineering deficient and seriously incompetant based on the blatant defects I see in my Denali. I won't even discuss the service departments since it is such a deplorable experience. The Denali is a true disgrace and disappointment. I am finished with GM. Hope you have better luck with yours. |
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Hey skytop how much are they paying you? 4k miles on mine...still loving it! Folks who knock the 3.42 rear end do not understand overall gearing and just bitch because they hear "3.42". 6L80 has a very steep 1st gear giving a hole shot near the same as a 4.56 on the previous 4spd...gotta look at the tranny gearing as well...
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Replying to: markisliev (Aug 10, 2007 2:53 pm) I had a conference phone call with GM engineering at my dealership. What I learned directly from GM turned my stomach. They have no fixes for the numerous computer related problems for at least 6 months. Read my other posts to see what hell my Denali put me through. If you don't believe me, it makes no difference to me. I post to alert those conscious folks who are alert and receptive. Deadheads, need not apply. If you really have a Denali, you too will ultimately become a victim. Mark my words. |
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Replying to: skytop1 (Aug 10, 2007 12:06 pm) Every manufacturer has had to 'buy back' vehicles that could not be repaired after a reasonable amount of time and attempts. No one is perfect and you seem to have purchased the proverbial 'can of worms'. Certainly there are deficiencies in both design and content from GM. But I have also heard that Toyota is presently suffering engine failures in their new Tundra 5.7 liter, due to cam shaft related problems. (Possibly as many as 30-40,000 motors at risk) Many other automobile companies including Toyota, recently designed engines that promoted a rapid build-up of sludge, resulting in engine failure. Honda had major problems with their tranmissions in their flagship Acura MDX and the list goes on to other manufacturers from there and is quite long. 16-17 million vehicles are sold each year; there's bound to be problems. It becomes unfortunate when it is compounded by more than 2 defects. I think all anyone can say to you at this point is to persue your legal remedy, be calm, try to patient and be and take the high road to be fair. I'm sure once your truck is repurchased by GM, you will find a more suitable match of vehicles. But electronics in our life and vehicles will be the bain of our existence. We all appreciate your insight and a heads-up warning for potential future concerns. I'm sure you have everyones attention here, but shiny black paint, chrome and the smell of corinthian leather has a way of putting the rest of us into the gas filled either tent.
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Replying to: 1oldcarguy (Aug 10, 2007 3:58 pm) Yes, GM has frustrated me to the point of driving me to describe my horror stories with them on these posts. Everything I have stated is 100% accurate. GM and their dealerships have no clue as to how to treat a customer. They have no idea how to keep a customer or his loyalty. GM and their dealerships are rank amateurs and rookies in customer relations. If you ever experienced Lexus, Accura, Mercedes or even Honda or Subaru service as I have, you would see how a customer is to be treated. It is no secret that GM is losing market share everyday to these other makers. Why? After sales service! Ask any customer of other makes and they will tell you how these other car manufacturers respect and regard them with top notch knowledgeable trained service and white glove treatment. GM has had 35 years since the first oil crisis to observe Asian car makers in action since Honda and Toyota got a foot hold on our shores. In all those years you would think GM would have half an ounce of brains to figure out how the Asian (and Euro makers) keep their customers coming back. But Nooooooo, not the brain trust at GM. Those noodle heads are running the company straight into the ground at 300 MPH. People are running, not walking away from GM and for damn good reason. |
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Not all exactly accurate. Toyota has no choice in this full size Pickup truck war but to bend over backwards and get these problems resolved. They have billions at stake with this new launch. Unfortunately now, it's all about the $$$ and saving face. They are the new poster boy and they would rather fly under the radar right now. Their quality has suffered substantially. It is not just truck transmissions either. Just ask the new Camry or Solara owner who bought units before Jan. of this year about their herky jerky transmissions that sometime leave you with a false neutral, just when you are trying to cross an intersection in front of that on coming semi. However, it was not long ago that Toyota systematically denied coverage to sludge victims, even when the customers provided evidence of 2500-3000 mile oil changes that were completed regularly at Toyota Dealerships. It was only with the beginnings of a class action law suit and publicity in Automotive News and other journals did they capitulate. How do you think those new Camry and Lexus owners felt in light of 2500 mile oil changes, a frozen motor and sorry, no warranty for you ? You must also remember when Mobil 1 first came out and advertised and implied 100k oil change test life ? We generally travel 10k miles before changes, but who can you believe ? Think Nissan handled the Z car premature tire wear problem any better ? That situation lasted for at least a couple of years if I remember correctly. Really upset people having to spend hundreds of dollars every few thousand miles on tires. I do not think there was ever an acceptable solution for those models. The alternative was listening to tire roar, and I mean ROAR. Or how about their power window motors prematurely wiping out their internal brushes? If you think it is hard and frustrating dealing with GM, try getting Honda to step up to the plate a week after your warranty runs out. We have friends with Nissan Titans that live at their respective dealerships and like you, say never again. Even today, Toyota dealers might tell you that if you buy a used Toyota that still has factory warranty remaining and you do not have a copy of timely oil changes completed by the prior owner(s); you're out of luck if you have a sludge engine failure. We have had many vehicles in our fleet, and with the exception of the 2004 Denali AWD Quadrasteer, its hard for me to say which one vehicle can be the 'perfect be all' 'to end all'. Even this model had a hokey rear diff and some minor component failures. But that experience is sure easier to tolerate than the 2005 Toyota Solara Convertible that soaked you everytime you open the drivers door while it was raining. Toyota never woke up to the fact that a simple rain channel on the convertible top would mitigate the situation. You can't fairly throw all GM dealerships under the bus. There are some very poor ones for sure, there are some good ones and there are most likely a majority of average, possibly uninspired ones. It's all changing now and it will be for the better. When it comes to customer satisfaction, Denial (ne denali) is still a big river in Egypt; and it ain't all GM's waterpark. After all is said and done, the dealership did not make the vehicle. Yet, you would hope and think that if there was a chance for some one of them being a hero to you, they would seize the opportunity. In the final analysis, we all secretely want and demand perfection. Especially when it come to planes, trains and automobiles. And that my friend is why Playboy still airbrushes all its centerfold photo's.... If only it was that easy.
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Replying to: 1oldcarguy (Aug 10, 2007 6:29 pm) |
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