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Comments
Sarah
GM Customer Service
I decided to take my Avalanche to the Chevrolet dealer from whom I had purchased my vehicle the next morning to have it checked out. Later that day, on the 9th, the Bob Howard Service Manager, Richard Underhill advised me that they were able to determine that 2nd and 4th were out. I asked him if it could be repaired and he said they would have to tear into it to find out. I asked how much that was going to cost to tear into it and he said around $580.00. Given little choice to determine the severity of the problem, I let them tear into it starting on the 10th. I didn't hear anything on the 10th or 11th, but on the afternoon of the 12th, Richard Underhill advised me that the transmission was "pretty well cooked" and that I would need to replace it with a remanufactured transmission for a cost of around $3200.00. He said the remanufactured (not new) one would come with a 3yr/100,000 mile warranty. I told him I would get back with him. In the evening I called back GM Customer Service and had to leave a message for Francis to call me back. On the 13th of January, 2012 in the afternoon I decided to call GM Customer Service again since I hadn’t heard back from Francis. The lady I talked with made notes of what I told her with regard to what Richard Underhill had advised me after tearing into the transmission and said that Francis would get back in touch with me within 24 hours.
Based on everything I've read while doing research on the internet about this issue, it appears that this transmission has a well known history of failure, not only in the Avalanche, but other GM vehicles as well. I don't believe a 2005 Avalanche with only 88,000 miles on it should have a transmission that fails. I've use my vehicle for mostly going to and from work and on long trips. I don't drive like some teenagers either. Everything I have read about the transmission problems on Avalanches seems to happen to models 2004 and newer. Regardless of warranty coverage, a transmission should not fail with only 88000 miles on any vehicle. I even asked the Service Manager at Bob Howard, Richard Underhill about this and he agreed with me that it should not have failed with that low of mileage.
GM states that they are “committed to delivering vehicles with flawless quality and reliability”. There are clearly issues with the Avalanche transmission, and I paid significant money for this truck and expect it to last at least 100,000 miles plus. I love driving it and I love everything about my truck, especially the sporty look, comfort, the handling, and the spaciousness. There’s one thing I was not expecting with my Avalanche – a transmission with known engineering flaws. Yet that’s what I’ve been seeing all over the Internet – comments, complaints and reviews not just for the 2002 year – but for many years from 2000 through 2011. This is the third Avalanche I’ve purchased (2002 Z66, 2003 Z71, 2005 Z71), and I tell people this is the best thing since sliced bread. I have loved this vehicle but will not do business with a company that refuses to stand behind their product or long time loyal customers.
But I have been left with such a feeling of disappointment. I have always made it my priority to deal only with companies that take pride in designing a good and safe product. I am hoping that GM can do something to help my me and my family to continue to believe in the quality of GM products. Will GM help me to make my truck drivable again? General Motors states that they are passionate about designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles, and this vision is the hallmark of their customer-driven culture. I can only hope and pray that GM will consider doing the right thing for this loyal customer.
The replacement transmission supposedly comes with a 3yr, 100,000 mile warranty. Will I keep this Avalanche past either one of those marks? Probably not, because I feel that the replacement transmission is just as bad as the original and will go out after the 3yr mark but under the 100,000 miles. Hopefully, I can trade the Avalanche I love for some other vehicle whose company will do the right thing (ya think).
If you wondered why I waited so long on at least getting some result from GM Cust Serv, it's because I went out the same day I took the Avalanche to the dealership to get fixed and bought a brand new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Unfortunately, GM knows that most people cannot and will not wait to get some result from them, so the customer gives up and just goes ahead and pays for it themselves. A lot of people can't afford to have their vehicle tied up at the dealership for weeks waiting to find out if GM is going to stand by their product/s. Yes, I still need a truck, so I'll keep the Avalanche until it's time to get rid of it before the warranty runs out.
All I can say to others out there is Good Luck! You'll need that, and a WHOLE lot of patience as well! Oh, and don't forget, some of your own money.
My Service Request: 71-1026833584
My National Highway Safety Administration/ODI Safety Complaint Number: 10443635 :lemon:
Unfortunately, I think I might be joining the broken Chevy Avalanche transmission club, a most unfortunate club to belong. My tranny went out at 57,000 miles on my 2005. It was the old sprag gear failure, a well known issue. Seeing how I didn't want to have them replace an old crappy tranny with a new crappy tranny, I had it rebuilt elsewhere seeing as how even new ones didn't solve the problem.
Now I wonder if I might get some satisfaction. My extended warranty ran out last April due to time being up. After your experience, do you have any hints as how to go about getting at least some of my money back? What number do you call? Did you find anyone worth mentioning.
I am outraged that this failure occurs regularly and GM is not stepping up. They replaced my instument panel so I hope they will stip up here. If I don't get some kind help with this, I know GM is not in the running for my next two cars that I will buy.
I apologize that you're experiencing these concerns with your transmission. Our Customer Assistance Center agents on the phone operate independently of the forum, and so it is very likely that unless the agent was perusing Edmunds on his or her own time that they would not be entirely familiar. All of our interactions are handled on a case-by-case basis at our level, as well.
Were you planning on getting this looked into? I hope everything goes well! If you decide to work with a dealership on this please keep us posted on the progress there, and if we can be of assistance please get in touch via email (socialmedia@gm.com).
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Hopefully this will be resolved for you soon! Please keep us updated, and if you should like to get in touch with customer service you can send an email to socialmedia@gm.com (include your name/Edmunds username, phone, address, last 8 of your VIN and approximate mileage, and the name of your involved dealership, as well as a description of the issue at hand).
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Go to the dealer. They will do right by you. Don't blame the dealer for the engineers errors.
Cogs
I've only had mine for only two weeks and same problem just happened to me. Got it right into dealership ASAP
Please tell me theres some solution!
Thanks
EricW
Please keep us updated on the progress at your dealership - our technicians are our eyes and ears into vehicle problems and we rely upon them for a diagnosis. If you would like for us to check into this further, please email us the following information at socialmedia@gm.com : your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your dealership.
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Good By GM - from a once loyal fan/customer.
We're sorry to hear that the transmission failed on your Avalanche. If you were planning on working with a GM dealership to have the replacement put in and wanted for us to check into the situation further, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information, a summary of the situation, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and the name of your dealership).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
If that's a question being asked by GM or Chevy regarding transmission warranty repairs, then it bothers me A LOT. Chevrolet willingly advertises the Avalanche with stated payload and towing capacities; equips most Avalanches with towing packages before shipping to dealers; and installs a transmission selector (at least on my 2010) that includes a button to select TOWING MODE. THIS VEHICLE IS ADVERTISED AS PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT TOWING CAPACITY IN ITS CLASS. So, is the question 'were you towing with this vehicle?' for statistical purposes, or is it being used as a rationale to deny a warranty claim? If it's the latter, then I think I would consult some legal advice.
And in my case, no, I was not towing.
The Avalanche is a vehicle that is able to tow and there is a section outlining the appropriate procedures and weight limits in the manual (for the 2012 Avalanche Manual, this section begins on page 9-66). How is the transmission repair going on your Avalanche?
Sarah, GM Customer Service
If we can check into this situation further with you, please contact us via email at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information and the last 8 digits of your VIN so we can locate any file already opened through the Customer Assistance Center).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
day the car won't start. To keep the battery charged, I had to drive
it every day once even I didn't need go somewhere or just run the engine for 10 minutes. Yesterday I didn't drive at daytime and by the evening I was worried about the battery will be bad next day, so I wanted to drive it for little while. It was hard to get it ignite but it did start without jumping, but
the message "stability-control service" was shown on the dashboard, I
thought it might be the weak battery caused computer malfunction and
drove for about 5 minutes, and every time when I hit around the third
gear I could feel some kind of lagged throttle move. I turned off the engine
and turned it on again, drove less than 500 feet, felt 3 more constant lagged
throttles one by one then the car was on the neutral, it couldn't move
forward only could backup. This morning I called onstar service, and it
was diagnosed ignition problem, but the engine was running during the call, so the representative suggested me get the car towed to the
dealer. After check, the technician said the
transmission needs to be replanced, and it will cost >$3,000. I was
shocked, for a car only has 6 years with ~64,000 miles on it, never
towed any thing more than 200lb (I have a small plastic boat), alway had
suggest services, and the transmission need to be replaced? Is this GM's
quality? I had told so many people, friends, colleagues, even some
strangers who ever asked me how do I feel the car, I always said love
the engine (strong and quiet), transmission (smooth), and style, but
now I feel I'm betrayed. I expected gift for the Xmas but never though I could get this. Maybe it is time for a change and GM would never be my choice again. Shame on you, GM!
It looks as though you may already be working with Customer Assistance? Do you have a Service Request number?
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Replaced transmission $3220
Replaced serpentine belt $98
Perform charging system check and replaced defective alternator, road test $483
Perform engine scan test, replaced crankshaft position sensor and clear cods $427
I don't mind pay wear and tear, and when I bought 2007 modle I also bought 5 years warranty which was extended from manufacture's basic and paid $1000 for that, just thought about there were some major changes for 2007 modle so I need prepared for any defect or early failures. Indeed I did have some services after basic warranty expired and the $1000 was paid off already for what it was cost for the repaires. But I never though the transmission could be failed just around 6 years with 64,640 miles on it. When my friends and colleagues asked me what happened to my truck, they just couldn't believe it (I guess no body would believe it either unless you had same or worse experience wit GM's product), everybody's responds from this was GM not only produces bad products and they won't do much for their reputations to fix the problems such as this, so better stays away from GM, no body wants get a junk and hit the head a $4400 bill at Christmas. But I still appreciate socialmedia@GM's effort to set up the case quickly just wished I could get much better results than some cheap S**t from GM! And who knows what would happen to this junk in next 2 years, oh yeh I forgot, maybe I can use that $200 to balance another few thousand grand!
We're sorry to hear that your new year began with the transmission going out on your Avalanche. If you would like for us to check into anything further, please email us at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name, contact information, the last 8 of your VIN, and a summary of your vehicle).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host
The dealer is making money. These chevys are not made ti last.
I'll consider buying a toyota or Nissan.
But I wish that GM WILL LISTEN TO OUR PROBLEMS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ...
There is a replacement parts warranty of 3 years/100,000 miles on transmissions. If you have any further questions, we can be reached at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and a summary of the situation so far).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Sarah, GM Customer Service