GMC 10 yrs later and still disappointed

[usmc1811]

I have now owned my new 2018 1500 Sierra CC 4x4 since July of this year and have 3,500+ mile on the truck. I have had 1 oil change at 3K miles done to the truck.

IMO so far, I am not impressed with the this truck since my last new GMC 2008 1500 Sierra CC 4x4. The 2008 GMC was a night mare to own, I could write a book on the problems with that truck and dealing with GM over it.

And yes, I came back to a GMC truck because I figured after 10+ years, GM would have made major improvements on their vehicles and their services.

To date the 6spd tranny shifts hard, clunks into lower gears no matter how I drive, slow or fast, up hill or down hill and or flat surfaces. The fuel management system only works when it wants too, coasting down hill it seems to never work, always showing/staying with 8 cylinders active. Very rarely does it drop down to 4 cylinders active. When coasting on a flat surface it will work if I don't use the gas pedal at all. So the claimed gas mileage we are supposed to get out of this truck and the 5.3L V8 engine, NOT even close. The new tires that came with the truck are not balanced properly, at fwy speeds they shimmy (out of balance). Will have to take to a real tire center/tire store (Less Schwabe) and have them rebalance the tires. I would take it back to the dealership where I bought the truck, but they have proven to me they can't fix anything, without causing more problems or breaking something else to date.That's another story for another time.
Yes, these small issues should be covered under new vehicle warranty. And no new vehicle is ever prefect, brand new or not. I just have better things to do with my time than having to worry about and or having to take back a new vehicle to get something fixed.

When spending over $50K on a new vehicle you would think you would get your monies worth. I digress.

[rober]

I'm looking for a clean restorable older truck with power steering & A.C.. I'm done with these new vehicles. my wife harps a bout air bags. who needs air bags when you driving a tank?

[usmc1811]

Yep, 100% concur with you.
Trucks are the civilian version of a military tank.

[oldfoggie]

I have a 2009 GMC Z71, Like you, I had problems with paint, starter, grounding etc, the paint was the worst problem, Ive had the bottom of 2 doors done and a patch beside the gas tank door, I was well under the mileage for warranty but time wise I was 6 months over, therefore, no coverage, now my truck has more rust pimples than a plucked chicken, end result, the truck has no value, the dealers are aware of this problem and don't want nothing to do with them, end result: I dumped a 2012 Buick Verano and went Honda Accord, The only regret, I should never bought that last Buick. and I will never buy another GM.

[Mike C.]

Sorry you are so dissatisfied. I have had great luck so far. I had a 2014 cc4x4 z71. Then 2017 same. Just got 2019 Denali. I have minor issues mainly due to stupidity of GM (removing features, no adaptive cruise etc.) nothing major at all. I also had 2 Escalade ext trucks with no issues. Unlike major transmission issues with 2011 F150 limited I had. Get everything fixed under warranty while you can!

[weebeefishin]

if your able to buy a brand new 50K truck I commend you. I could never do that again. since my '04 F250. I'm done with Ford, although I did have a great '04 F150 as well that ran great the 4 yrs I had it. No problems. I just put a down pmt on a '08 sierra and hope it's not a bad truck. I can't imagine spending 50k on something that makes one unhappy but it happens. I traded my '04 f250 diesel with only 7k miles on it. At least it got me from CA, to Alaska, safely. then once in AK, all heck broke loose.

I've made some pretty stupid mistakes in my 62 yrs. But one thing I did weeks before I put a down pmt on this truck was call the service dept. up at my local gmc dealer and ask them a few questions. They told me to stay away from a motor that has the active fuel mgmt. system. Some of those year model trucks are trouble. I can't imagine why GMC would continue to use the AFM system but i'm not a mechanic. Sorry to hear this

[Mike C.]

Originally Posted by weebeefishin

if your able to buy a brand new 50K truck I commend you. I could never do that again. since my '04 F250. I'm done with Ford, although I did have a great '04 F150 as well that ran great the 4 yrs I had it. No problems. I just put a down pmt on a '08 sierra and hope it's not a bad truck. I can't imagine spending 50k on something that makes one unhappy but it happens. I traded my '04 f250 diesel with only 7k miles on it. At least it got me from CA, to Alaska, safely. then once in AK, all heck broke loose.

I've made some pretty stupid mistakes in my 62 yrs. But one thing I did weeks before I put a down pmt on this truck was call the service dept. up at my local gmc dealer and ask them a few questions. They told me to stay away from a motor that has the active fuel mgmt. system. Some of those year model trucks are trouble. I can't imagine why GMC would continue to use the AFM system but i'm not a mechanic. Sorry to hear this

Very true on some of the AFM, the 2019 has an option to turn it off. I use this option. However, in typical fashion, they made it so you have to shut it off EVERY Time you start the vehicle! Annoying, but I love the truck so far! Even with it's limitations, like no adaptive cruise. Very Stupid on GM's part.