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GMC Acadia Transmission Problems

638 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 5:43 PM

You are in the GMC Acadia Forum.

What is this discussion about? GMC Acadia, Transmission, SUV

    
 
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Messages Page 9 of 65

#73 of 638 Why won't GM update the shift profile? by ringo4422

Nov 28, 2011 (12:33 pm)

I bought my 2008 Acadia SLT2 brand new. After driving it for about 5 minutes I went back to the dealer and requested an extended warranty. I had no doubt that the transmission would encounter an early failure because of the extremely early and soft shift profile programmed into the ECU.
Well, I'm glad I did. The transmission toasted itself at 62,000 miles and the dealer rebuilt it last week with new clutch packs. Yes, I am well versed with the engineering of transmissions as I am employed as an engineer in the transmissions group at a large helicopter company.
 
The dealer generously offered a free car rental during the duration of the repair, and what was the rental? A 2012 GMC Acadia. The even more amazing part is that this Acadia shifted PERFECTLY! The shift profile couldn't be better... long enough hold times for each gear as it upshifted, and reasonable downshift response. I was psyched.
 
I contacted the dealer and requested that when they rebuild the unit, to please flash the computer to the 2012 shift profile so I won't be needing another rebuild within the next 60,000 miles. The reply? Sorry. No can do. It has to be what it originally was programmed with.
 
This was the first GM vehicle I bought since 1980 and this Acadia will be my last, only because GMC will not do anything to fix a very well known issue and knowing that they could! Going back to reliable Ford products.

#74 of 638 Re: Why won't GM update the shift profile? [ringo4422] by gmcustsvcsarah

Nov 28, 2011 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: ringo4422 (Nov 28, 2011 12:33 pm)
How has your Acadia been since the rebuild?
 
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#75 of 638 Re: Why won't GM update the shift profile? [gmcustsvcsarah] by ringo4422

Nov 28, 2011 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvcsarah (Nov 28, 2011 12:49 pm)
It shifts just like brand new... lousey. It shifts much too soon and hangs on to the higher gears for dear life before it finally gives in and downshifts to too low a gear, engine screaming it's lungs out, only to quickly upshift again.
 
This is my reason for the post. The problem is still there... too early shifts, too soft a shift, slow to downshift. In making a typical left turn from a stop light it is in 4th gear as I complete my turn. In retrospect, the 2012 in the same turn is thinking about going into second gear, just as any normal vehicle would. Not 4th. It is just like all of the earlier generation Acadias.

#76 of 638 Re: Why won't GM update the shift profile? [ringo4422] by gmcustsvcsarah

Nov 29, 2011 (6:06 am)

Replying to: ringo4422 (Nov 28, 2011 2:36 pm)
I see. I've logged our conversation into the database, which GM uses to determine how to approach different vehicle concerns.
 
If you would like to pursue this further with Customer Assistance, please email us with more information, including your name/username, contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN, the name of your involved dealership and how many times you've visited for the concern.
 
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#77 of 638 The Beginning by ahaydel

Dec 13, 2011 (4:43 pm)

I just purchase my 08 Acadia a week ago with 107,000 miles. I had never really looked into that kind of vehicle before but was taken away when I saw the great features of the vehicle. I purchase it on impulse and didn't research there history to well. Once it was purchase I came home and looked it up on the computer and realized the horror stores with the transmission. Although it seemed to drive well. Sure enough just a week later and my nightmare begins I was having trouble accelerating and it was reving really high. So I brought it into a dealership service department and sure enough look like the transmission needs to be changed. How I am starting to regret my decision of this vehicle already. Don't let all the wonderful features fool you! I am waiting on my phone call from the dealership to let me know how much the estimate will be. Lets just say I am not to happy

#78 of 638 Re: transmission problems and more [gmcustsvcsarah] by gfbrown

Dec 14, 2011 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvcsarah (Nov 25, 2011 6:47 am)
The first dealership (48.4 miles away) determined that it was indeed a problem, but told me that GM won't swap the transmission. It has to be rebuilt. This dealership doesn't have anybody who can, or would be willing to rebuild it, so they recommended that I take it to another dealership (104 miles away) who has a guy who rebuilds transmissions. I called the 2nd dealership, who told me they couldn't make an appointment to fix it until they had determined for themselves what the problem was. This is certainly fair, but unfortunately it required me to make two trips-- one for them to look at it, and another to drop it off. That required me to take two more days off work, and drive four hundred miles. The transmission guy told me that he had done so many of these Acadia transmissions that he could rebuild them in his sleep. That gave me confidence in his abilities, but doesn't say much for GM quality. I did however get a loaner car last week-- a 2012 GMC Acadia. The service manager smiled as he told me they would be happy to arrange for me to keep the loaner....
I have discovered, while driving this car, that the power steering doesn't squeal the way it does after the recall work (new fluid, that's all the recall provided) was done on my 2008 Acadia. I also discovered that several of the interior problems (armrest that no longer slides, and compartments that no longer open) have been redesigned on the newer model... Stinks that they couldn't fix those issues on my Acadia! On a brighter note-- the headlamp wiring has been recalled, so they will be fixing that. Now I just have to pay for a new power steering pump, and for new bushings to fix the steering issue! No, this hasn't changed my opinion about the Acadia, and I sure don't recommend the Acadia to anyone!

#79 of 638 2011 Acadia by stephsfab5

Dec 14, 2011 (7:14 pm)

I purchased a 2011 Acadia in August during the "employee pricing event". I was between this and a used yukon on the lot. I went with new and all the financing deals warranty protection behind it.
At 2 weeks old and 1300 km it wouldn't start, apparently a dead battery. Had it boost with roadside and called dealer. I was told we must have left interior lights on or something that drained the battery. Shame on me and off we went. At almost 5 weeks battery"dead" again, so drained it wouldn't release my key, had roadside come and boost and they took it into the dealer. After calling dealer all day was told at end of day it was repaired. The battery was faulty and had been replaced. "Luckily" it was covered by warranty (Lucky for me...pffff!). At 7 weeks (Monday) it wouldn't start, called roadside they towed it in, I called all day no news. At business close I was told hey couldn't fix it that day, they didn't know what was wrong, oh and there ws no rentals available. The next afternoon (Tuesday) they called to say it was fine. I asked what happened and was told he (the service adviser) didn't know, they had the truck delivered back to be. I asked for the work order, they didn't have one, called the garage and was told the service manager would call and talk to me about it the next morning. NO call. Thursday my truck WOULDN'T start. Called the garage, he was just going to call me (mmmhhhmmm), had the truck towed in. They thought maybe I had left my gps plugged in too long, nope, too many accessories being used, nope....Couldn't figure out the problem, gave me a paid rental and told me it might be a week or so, they wanted to get to the bottom of this. Weeks later they let me know 16 other vehicles in North America were suffering from the same problem, hinted I should be getting a buy out. Try to call dealer owner, left 3 messages no returned call. The only person who called me was the service manager weekly. It was apparently "fixed", they offered me 3 months of payments ($1700), a $200 gas card and free service to take back my "repaired" truck. I told them I was told I would not be getting it back. Called GM customer care, I was told my ambassador would call me,no returned call. Left 2more messages, no response. 9 weeks later sales rep calls (2nd time), she needs me to come preview a new truck, I go in talk to her and owner. They are willing to buy me out for $7000 less than my money in,after settling loan and getting new truck I'm still at a loss of $4100. The dealer wouldn't even discuss price reductions for this "issue"... This is beyond wrong!!!!

#80 of 638 Re: The Beginning [ahaydel] by gmcustsvcsarah

Dec 15, 2011 (12:25 pm)

Replying to: ahaydel (Dec 13, 2011 4:43 pm)
I am very sorry to hear that your transmission needs to be replaced. Have you heard back from your dealership as of yet? If we can be of any assistance, please send us an email with more information (including your name/username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and current mileage, and your dealership's name).
 
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#81 of 638 Re: 2011 Acadia [stephsfab5] by gmcustsvcsarah

Dec 15, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: stephsfab5 (Dec 14, 2011 7:14 pm)
I am very sorry that you are in this frustrating situation. Do you have a Service Request number? Please send us an email with that and we'd be happy to look into this further.
 
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#82 of 638 Re: transmission problems and more [gfbrown] by gmcustsvcsarah

Dec 15, 2011 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: gfbrown (Dec 14, 2011 3:05 pm)
Thank you for posting this update. I am sorry for how inconvenient the repair process has been, as you've had to drive several hundred miles to find the service you wanted. When you receive your vehicle back, please be sure to let us know how everything is working out.
 
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

Messages Page 9 of 65

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