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GMC Acadia Transmission Problems

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  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Hi Rachel,
    I just wanted to confirm the receipt of your email. Christina, my coworker who responds to incoming emails from the Edmunds forum, will be responding soon.

    Regards-
    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    Sarah,
    Yes I did get an e-mail from Christina but she stated because the age and mileage on the car she wasn't sure she could do much.
    I paid almost $40,000 for this vehicle and so basically GM is telling me that the vehicle wont last through my 6 years of payments to pay it off?
    THAT IS NOT RIGHT... people that buy cars expect them to last longer than 5 years or 130,000 miles.
    I would like a case started because I have seen way too many posts on here about all the transmission problems no matter what the age or mileage of the Acadia was.
    Thanks
    Rachel
  • michele2377michele2377 Member Posts: 7
    The NHTSA # is 1-800-424-9153, or you can file at www.safercar.gov

    Please at least go to their website and start a file/complaint about this issue. GM doesn't have to do anything or issue a recall on this unless there is a bulletin issued by the NHTSA. NHTSA will not issue a bulletin unless they get enough complaints/issues brought to their attention in order to do so. If GM doesn't want to take care of this small amount of current gmc owners who are having these issues; maybe a bulletin can be placed and they'll be foreced to take care of every single one instead.
  • lclanceylclancey Member Posts: 8
    So I got my car back on Monday and I thought it was fixed but now i am not so sure- I was driving and about 100 miles in I felt it acting up again. I am going to call NHTSA. Oh and GM executive has done nothing. She calls me to follow up but she is a Yes Ma'am and doesnt hasnt paid attention to my complaints about the safety withthis car and that others are experiencing.
  • scottmay3scottmay3 Member Posts: 17
    I agree with Michele. The only way that there will be any resolvement of this issue from a warranty perspective is to file a complaint with the NHTSA. If you know anyone that owns a 2007 Acadia, you should check with them to see if they have filed their complaint.
  • scottmay3scottmay3 Member Posts: 17
    So, due to the expiration of my warranty 11 days prior to my transmission failure (imagine that) at 78,000 miles, I was granted a token goodwill from the dealership of about 25% of the cost of my rebuilt transmission. I am in the process of escalating the issue to GM customer service management. GM covered $1000 in parts (probably about $150 to GM), and my portion was $2500 in labor.

    All that I can say at this point is that GM Customer Service has their canned answers prepared for you, so get mad and frustrated all you want, your avenue is to contact the NHSTA when your wave plate fails, and I hope you are not in busy traffic when it happens.

    While Christina and Sarah will read and respond to your posts, you'll be routed through a call center. Be prepared to be frustrated.

    I have a Honda/Acura that had a similar issue, and Honda made provisions for a warranty extension that covered my cost when it had an issue. Unless additional compensation is made over the coming days, today, GM has lost a loyal customer as I will not consider GM in my future purchase decisions.

    All in all, if you own a 2007 Acadia, my suggestion to you is to bank $3500 so you'll be prepared for your transmission rebuilt. If you are still in warranty, take it in and make them replace it prior to the failure. It's better than the other option you'll have.
  • jpfjpf Member Posts: 496
    What all the dissatisfied Acadia owners (2007-2010) need to do, is to organize a protest day outside GM's headquarters. Show up outside the corporate headquarters and start blasting your horns, carry signs, etc. and that will get GM's attention and national news exposure. Otherwise, GM will do very little for its customers. Just a thought and Good Luck.
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    I filed... lets hope I get somewhere
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good morning Scott,
    Our apologies that it took a while (we've had a hectic week), but Christina has assumed your case from the agent you were working with and has now forwarded it to your District Specialist for further consideration. You should be contacted via phone at some point over the next two business days.
    Best -
    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    I did!!
  • michele2377michele2377 Member Posts: 7
    We'll just have to drive our fords, toyotas, whatever other model cars we own there because I'm pretty sure half of our Acadia's won't make it. LOL
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    Sarah,
    Will you please look into this for me?
    Christina is telling me that because the age of my Acadia (5yrs) and the miles (131000) that there is not much she can do.
    I find it hard to believe that GM is stating that there vehicles will not last over 5 years or 130000 miles, then why do they offer 6-7 year car loans?? My car is not even paid off so GM is telling me that I should have only taken a loan out for 4 years and then when my car fell apart it would be paid??? That is absolutely not acceptable to me especially when there is many many people with the same problem. I had to fight Gm on the timing chains at 101000 and then ended up paying for them and then ontop of that a few months later put a recall out for them.
    If you can not help me please let me know of someone at GM that will.
    I am not okay with paying 3400.00 without any type of explanation as GM knows the part they used in the transmission is causing this problem per the mechanic that worked on my ACADIA :mad:
    Thanks
    Rachel Bahnsen
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good evening Rachel,

    We do have to handle these cases on an individual basis and mileage is a factor in our decision making; however, I will speak with Christina about her findings in your case.

    Best -
    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • jlmjonesjlmjones Member Posts: 6
    So, after owning (and loving) other GM cars, the Acadia is a nightmare. I've always owner new or newer cars and maintained them well. I've never broken down and been stranded until the Acadia and now it's happened twice (thankful for OnStar!!).

    We replaced the water pump, but now at less than 60k miles we have found out our transmission needs to be replaced and it's sitting in the shop and we are without a car.

    The dealership said this is a well known issue with the Acadia (I'm glad they are honest and upfront about that considering it's all over the internet). I don't understand how a fairly pricey car can have this known issue and expect consumers to pay for the repair.

    The amount of disappointment I feel towards GM is pretty high and I can't imagine ever owning another GM vehicle if they don't find a way to help out their customers with the known issue.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    We're sorry to hear about your Acadia's transmission, jlmjones.

    I see that your mileage is within the parameters for powertrain coverage, but what year is your Acadia? Are the repairs being covered by warranty?

    Kind regards,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • jlmjonesjlmjones Member Posts: 6
    Sadly, it's a '07. I was told there is nothing that can be done for us by GM but that GM would contact the dealership. (We are currently without a car, so this wait is very stressful)

    We've owned a Yukon and a H3 and adored both of those cars, feeling really let down about this experience so far and hoping someone can come through and make it right.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    I'm sorry about that! It sounds as though you have a Service Request open at this time, is that correct? If you were to email your case number (71-**********) or the last 8 digits of your VIN to socialmedia@gm.com we could check for any updates.

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • jlmjonesjlmjones Member Posts: 6
    Thanks so much, Sarah! Email sent.
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    Sarah,
    I am still waiting for a claim # to start..
    I have talked with the dealership and know for a fact that they agree that the year and mileage of the car should not warrant a new transmission and as I have stated before GM used a cheap part in the Acadia's from 07-10 which breaks and causes the weigh plates to cause the transmission to not work anymore!! A
    As I stated before telling me that my car is 5 years old is not an excuse to pay 3400 when this Acadia had many other problems before if you look at the history and other claims Ive had.
    I am sure if you can not help with a claim you can send me to someone else higher up in GM because I have already talked with a lawyer and know that I can fight for the 3400 to be re-imbured especially looking at all the other 07' Acadia's and the same problem with them
    Thanks
    Rachel Bahnsen

    As I mentioned before why does Gm offer 4-7 year car loans if your telling me the cars wont last that long??? Kinda not a great reputation for GM if people still have loans out and are paying for cars that are broken down before they are paid off..
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    Imagine this anothe 07 Acadia with transmission problem...
    Really GM when is it time to man up and take responsibility for the bad part that was used in these models causing us all to be with out our vehicles and pay for repairs that are thousands of dollars?
    As stated before never will I buy another GM if they will not stand behind there cars for more than 4 years or 100,000 miles!!! Sad is what I call this.

    Good Luck to you on the repairs even after I paid 3400 for a new tranmission my Acadia is still not running correctly, when it is idle it sputters and when I drive over 60 moh my steering wheel shakes and it pulls to the right constantly. Never had this happen unitl they put the "new" transmission in it.
  • jlmjonesjlmjones Member Posts: 6
    As I stated, our car has less than 60k (and, yes, there is no way a transmission should go out so soon). So, I have to believe that GM will do right by their loyal customers and find a way to resolve these transmission issue. Customer service is everything when keeping clients.

    I was told I would be getting a call back from GM customer service yesterday and haven't heard a thing from them yet.

    Best of luck to you! I'm truly sorry to see all these issues with the Acadia. Until this particular car, we've adored all our GMCs.
  • acadia08tnacadia08tn Member Posts: 10
    Well, after waiting 25 days to finally get my acadia back ...I am happy to report that I have traded it for something else (reliable!). I did this mainly because the transmission was only guarnteed for a year .. and after reading all of the issues on this forum with the acadia ... I figured it was the best choice. I am very disappointed with GMC ... never had a follow phone call like they promised. I have told many people (even strangers!) that have talked about buying an acadia not too ... just to google this topic and see what pops up. Good luck to all of the acadia owners on this site!
  • chip06chip06 Member Posts: 1
    I own a 2007 Acadia that in general hasn't had too many significant issues - until two days ago. With just under 76,000 miles - I was in the middle of a 4hr road trip and fell victim to what I have been told by the dealership I had to be towed to, as a pressure leak in my transmission. It was going to require a entire rebuild of my transmission. And of course, I'm three months past my PowerTrain warranty on the vehicle - which by the way was my last maintenance check and nothing was apparent at that time. Most of my driving is on the highway and I get regular maintenance check-ups and oil changes. After reading several complaints on this forum and many other forums - I can't see how GM can not claim to have an issue with the transmission in this vehicle. The interesting part - when the dealership called GM about the issue I was having - GM cut the price of the transmission rebuild in half - but wouldn't own up to knowingly having a problem. Really GM? - do you think we are that stupid?! You are willing to cut the cost in half but you won't own up to a problem? There is no way that a transmission should fail like that with well under 100,000 miles and the type of driving I do. You obviously designed something wrong if there are that many of us having this problem. Own up to it - and pay for the entire repair! I've owned GM vehicles most of my life - but this is seriously making me think twice about ever buying another one.
  • jlmjonesjlmjones Member Posts: 6
    Sorry Chip :(.

    At least you got 20k more miles out of your car than we did! Best of luck in getting it fixed and back.

    We also took our car into a (different than where it's at now, for obvious reasons) GM dealership before the transmission totally failed. This was about 10 days before we were broke down and stranded. They told me that the car was fine and not to worry about anything (it had been driving weird and giving me random warnings, hence the trip to the dealership) but since nothing was lighting up when I brought it in, they sent me home and told me to make an appointment later on, when the warning lights were always lit up 100% of the time :(.

    We are over a week without a car and paying way too much for a rental. I'm hoping to get the Acadia back soon, this is just getting silly. Also, still waiting for GM to "make it right" to keep us as future, lifelong GM owners. I'm hopeful that they do.
  • jlmjonesjlmjones Member Posts: 6
    Have to give credit where credit is due and GM came through for us today.

    In turn, we traded in the Acadia this afternoon for a Tahoe. We needed a 4wd car and since we owned a Yukon before and loved it, the Tahoe they had there when we went to pick up the repaired Acadia just looked too good to pass up.

    I'm glad they stepped up (and since they did, I have no problem owning GMs now and in the future, logical customer service is everything!).
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    I am still WAITING TO HEAR SOMETHING BACK FORM GM or for you to start a claim number..
    Please respond ASAP at least with a contact name and number to GM if you will not start a claim, I have read at least 3-4 other threads where you helped people out with the same problems and they were out of their powertrain warranty!!
    Thanks
    Rachel :mad:
  • dieselman1962dieselman1962 Member Posts: 6
    Well, add us to the list of unhappy acadia owners. Engine chain failed this year. Was Covered. But of course now that were three months out of warrenty, the transmission fails. Dealer wants 4 grand to fix. I'm not happy......
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good morning dieselman1962,

    We're sorry to hear about your transmission. If you would like for us to check into this further with you and your dealership, please email us the following information at socialmedia@gm.com: your name and Edmunds username, your phone and address, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your involved dealership.

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • scottmay3scottmay3 Member Posts: 17
    Make sure that you file your complaint at www.nhtsa.gov/. I do not know your mileage situation, but GM has very limited help available to you, if any. There is no doubt that substandard parts have been used in this transmission design, but it is not an issue that they will admit on any level.

    Sarah and Christine will certainly make you feel better about your situation than going to GMC customer support directly, but utimately they are not able to provide you any support other than moral. You may get some limited goodwill, but I wouldn't expect anything else. I, and many, many others have been in your situation, but only leave it frustrated. If you know anyone with an '07 still under warranty, ensure that they get the vehicle to the dealer and complain about shifting. Insist that they replace transmission components to include a faulty valve block, which is the part that initiates the issue.
  • dieselman1962dieselman1962 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the info. We are at 92000 miles. Dealer said they would get a GM rep. in to talk about the transmission. I'll give Sarah the info. also.
  • dieselman1962dieselman1962 Member Posts: 6
    Sarah, I will get the info together and send it to you. Thanks
  • scottmay3scottmay3 Member Posts: 17
    Thats how it sounds like we all start. I was at 11 days over warranty and 75000 miles.....If you get more than parts, let me know.....
  • dagger6dagger6 Member Posts: 14
    Am I the only one who thinks that $236 for a transmission fluid change is absolute robbery? To do the fluid change, the dealer needs to remove the front bumper, disconnect the cooler line and attach a pump. Then they flush the transmission with 16 quarts of fluid (which you pay for - $80). Then they reassemble the whole thing and hand you a bill for $236. Reason for all this? There's no drain plug that will let ALL the fluid to drain. The only plug installed will only drain the 2 quarts from the sump. Neither the dealer nor GM can explain to me why there's no drain plug. "That's the way we designed it. Probably for safety." Does that sound like bull answer? If the transmission fluid filter ever gets clogged, they'll need to remove the engine and transmission to replace it. So I'm selling this money pit before that happens. You can't even take it to an independent because they don't have the special pump to do the flush. BTW headlight bulb change? That'll be $147. Yeah. They have to remove the entire bumper for that as well. The person who designed this car clearly was a service manager at a dealership.
  • markmatzmarkmatz Member Posts: 3
    I bought a 2007 GMC Acadia new in April 2007. My family and I love the car (when it is working). The transmission went out last week and now I'm hit with a $3600 repair. The car is only 58,000 miles and is 5 years, 5 months old. So I am over the warranty by 5 months, and the dealer says tough s*#^!

    Does the GMC Acadia have an abnormally high rate of transmission issues or am I just unlucky?
  • markmatzmarkmatz Member Posts: 3
    If you have transmission issues at low milage like I did, post your complaint at: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    Very high rate and yet GM will do nothing for most of us out of warranty! I had to pay 3400 out of my pocket and not no one on here will even reply to my e-mails...
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good afternoon markmatz,

    We would be happy to check into this further if you would please email us the following information at socialmedia@gm.com: your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your involved dealership.

    All the best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • dieselman1962dieselman1962 Member Posts: 6
    Well, the GM rep. knocked the price tag down to 1700. and will not budge beyond that. But she said that on the bright side the new transmission will have a five year warrenty. Ya, that made me feel better........
  • dieselman1962dieselman1962 Member Posts: 6
    We picked up our Acadia today. The 1700.00 was called a customer deductible. The transmission is a gm reman. with a 3 yr/100000 mile warranty. They also replaced the leaking steering gear and put new seals in the leaking transfer case under warranty. While I think gm should have replaced the transmission without charge. This was the best I was able to get. The service guy said that this was the most he had ever seen the gm rep. give.
  • ckonenckonen Member Posts: 2
    was your transmission under warranty?? mine went out a few days ago and our coveraged expired 14 days ago. just wondering if I should expect any help from gm on this. It doesn't sound good.
  • ckonenckonen Member Posts: 2
    Hi ,,,my transmission just went out on my 2008 Acadia It has 86,000 miles on it and the warranty expired 14 DAYS ago. I am waiting to see if GM will help us out in any way. Have you gotten any help at all? I can't believe that such an expensive car could have so many problems and that GM wouldn't want to help out their customers. What a pain .
  • dieselman1962dieselman1962 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2012
    Our warranty expired in may. We ask the dealer to get the gm rep. involved. We stayed plesent, but firm, and it took a week plus of back and forth. But we were able to get the bill knocked down from 4600. to 1700. I feel gm should have cover the entire repair, but they do not see it that way. Our failure was like most everyone here, the wave plate. It took out most of the transmisson when it came apart. Good luck. Make sure that you file a complaint at www.nhtsa.gov/
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    ckonen,
    Thank you for taking the time to post your concerns. Have you spoke to your dealer regarding your concern? If not, I would definitely start there. Can you please email me directly with your VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, and complete contact information including mailing address? I would like to look into this further for you. I look forward to your response.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
    SocialMedia@GM.com
  • gmcustsvcgmcustsvc Member Posts: 4,252
    rbahnsen,
    I apologize for your frustrations; but I have replied to your emails and documented all of your concerns. I apologize am unable to assist you any further with this concern. If you have a different concern or questions I would be happy to look into it.
    Christina
    GM Customer Service
  • intrigued66intrigued66 Member Posts: 2
    Your replies are very kind, but what exactly do you do to help? Is there a web site devoted to happy customers that you've helped? What do you do after "looking into it" besides being sorry or very sorry? There is no follow up here, just I'm sorry and or, glad your situation is resolved no matter how it was resolved, often at the expense of the individual.

    I realize there must be many many happy customers, but...inspire some confidence in the readers here because I'm really not feeling any. The fact that this web page pops up right at the top of a google search doesn't do much for me either.

    Looking at buying an 08 Acadia today and I'd like to be happy about it.
  • rbahnsenrbahnsen Member Posts: 29
    Can you please give me someone at GM to contact?? I have been asking for this and have not got any replies.
    I have seen numerous people getting money towards their repairs and so I want to pursue this more!!!
    Thanks
    Rachel Bahnsen
  • chiefb41chiefb41 Member Posts: 3
    Don't do it. I own a 2008 GMC Acadia and it's the worst purchase I have ever made. I have yet to experience any transmission problems but that's only because my warranty has not expired. The Dealership I use to service my vehicle is pretty good, and also acknowledges that there are many GMC Acadias that are brought into the shop for transmission issues, similar to the other posts you see here on this forum. I have dumped thousands of dollars into this vehicle for repairs and requested that the local GM rep contact me but that has yet to happen. I would have to be insane to purchase another Acadia, let alone another GM product.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good morning chiefb41,

    Have you emailed us already at socialmedia@gm.com? If you have and have not heard back yet, we apologize and ask that you try resending your message. If you haven't and would like for us to check into your situation further, please send the following information: your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your dealership.

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good afternoon ckonen,

    Please contact us at socialmedia@gm.com if you would like for us to work with you and your dealership on the concerns you're experiencing with your transmission (include your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your involved dealership).

    Sarah, GM Customer Service
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Hello intrigued66,

    As we have to treat each situation on an individual basis, and as we request private contact information, we perform most of our interactions privately. We do interact with the dealerships to see how things are progressing, and when the situation merits escalation to a District Specialist we do so.

    I hope this helps to clarify some of what we do!
    Sarah, GM Customer Service
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