2015 A8 new problem....anyone else?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 101
From: Louisville Ky
I'm not defending GM. But why were they reluctant to change the transmission?
My '15 Silverado 5.3/A6 shifts like crap, dealer said they will replace the trans, GM OK'd it. Before I had it done I read on the truck forums that they all shift like crap, took a new one for a ride and it was exactly the same as mine. Then took a '14 with 30,000 miles on it for a ride and it was exactly the same. To me its borderline dangerous how the trans acts. I decided to not replace the trans in the truck. I only keep my trucks for a year or two and I'll go back to Ram next time.
My '15 Silverado 5.3/A6 shifts like crap, dealer said they will replace the trans, GM OK'd it. Before I had it done I read on the truck forums that they all shift like crap, took a new one for a ride and it was exactly the same as mine. Then took a '14 with 30,000 miles on it for a ride and it was exactly the same. To me its borderline dangerous how the trans acts. I decided to not replace the trans in the truck. I only keep my trucks for a year or two and I'll go back to Ram next time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
Hopefully they did a decent job and the car is OK. Honestly I'm not that impressed with the A8 n these except when you are really on it. I drove my A6 '14 C7 for a year and it was quirky as well.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 140
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 1,200
From: Ft. Myers FL
red 1:I really get tired of people defending GM, my dealer was excellent and told me the transmission needed replacing from the start but they hit a stone wall with the GM reps/engineers and customer service is a real joke. No one knows or understands how bad they are until you have a problem with the NEW GM.
I'm not defending GM at all. I just believe that GM or FORD, Chrysler, Toyota, VW, or who ever, will stand behind their products or they won't stay in business long. If your dealer was willing to replace it then why couldn't they convince the GM reps? Don't you think that they'd find it cheaper to replace you trans than have thousands of customers and potential customers read all this bad publicity? If the local rep is no good, then go up the ladder is my 2 cents. Good luck! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
I'm confused as well. My car was built in June 2015, a very early 2016, so am I to assume I have the same tranny as all of the 2015 cars?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
I'm sure there are (and will be more) failed transmissions, just like there were failed engines, just like failed torque tubes and flex plates. Looking at the complexity of any modern auto trans with 6+ speeds its amazing they dont fail more often. IMO unless the car gets to the point that its not driveable I'm going to use it and not worry about it. I can obsess over other things like tire noise, orange peel, etc for now
Last edited by kp; Jan 7, 2016 at 12:41 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 140
If your A8 shifts well and you are not getting hard clunky down shifts you most likely have the second generation unit. They started putting them in around mid October of 2015. Go to Cultrag's parts ordering site put in your VIN and pretend you want to buy the transmission for it. If you get part is discontinued then you have the old one but its still no guarantee.
Last edited by Black&White; Jan 7, 2016 at 01:30 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 87
if your a8 shifts well and you are not getting hard clunky down shifts you most likely have the second generation unit. They started putting them in around mid october of 2015. Go to cultrag's parts ordering site put in your vin and pretend you want to buy the transmission for it. If you get part is discontinued then you have the old one but its still no guarantee.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Just enjoy your car, if it drives OK then why even worry. There are thousands of 2015 A8s out there motoring happily along every day. They have changed the PART NUMBER for the trans but who knows if they actually changed anything else.
I'm sure there are (and will be more) failed transmissions, just like there were failed engines, just like failed torque tubes and flex plates. Looking at the complexity of any modern auto trans with 6+ speeds its amazing they dont fail more often. IMO unless the car gets to the point that its not driveable I'm going to use it and not worry about it. I can obsess over other things like tire noise, orange peel, etc for now
I'm sure there are (and will be more) failed transmissions, just like there were failed engines, just like failed torque tubes and flex plates. Looking at the complexity of any modern auto trans with 6+ speeds its amazing they dont fail more often. IMO unless the car gets to the point that its not driveable I'm going to use it and not worry about it. I can obsess over other things like tire noise, orange peel, etc for now
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Just enjoy your car, if it drives OK then why even worry. There are thousands of 2015 A8s out there motoring happily along every day. They have changed the PART NUMBER for the trans but who knows if they actually changed anything else.
I'm sure there are (and will be more) failed transmissions, just like there were failed engines, just like failed torque tubes and flex plates. Looking at the complexity of any modern auto trans with 6+ speeds its amazing they dont fail more often. IMO unless the car gets to the point that its not driveable I'm going to use it and not worry about it. I can obsess over other things like tire noise, orange peel, etc for now
I'm sure there are (and will be more) failed transmissions, just like there were failed engines, just like failed torque tubes and flex plates. Looking at the complexity of any modern auto trans with 6+ speeds its amazing they dont fail more often. IMO unless the car gets to the point that its not driveable I'm going to use it and not worry about it. I can obsess over other things like tire noise, orange peel, etc for now
Last edited by joemessman; Jan 7, 2016 at 03:08 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,700
Likes: 15
From: Southern Florida
any new car period...should shift fine all the time .... regardless of cost ..
have never heard of such crap .... last time I had tranny problems was 50 years ago when I was in 10 grade !
As I have stated ... if what you can see " the paint " is awful ...why would one assume what you can't see would be any better ...
have never heard of such crap .... last time I had tranny problems was 50 years ago when I was in 10 grade !
As I have stated ... if what you can see " the paint " is awful ...why would one assume what you can't see would be any better ...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 101
From: Louisville Ky
I'm not defending GM at all. I just believe that GM or FORD, Chrysler, Toyota, VW, or who ever, will stand behind their products or they won't stay in business long. If your dealer was willing to replace it then why couldn't they convince the GM reps? Don't you think that they'd find it cheaper to replace you trans than have thousands of customers and potential customers read all this bad publicity? If the local rep is no good, then go up the ladder is my 2 cents. Good luck! 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
I've had to deal with them on numerous issues over the years what with the '16 being my 8th Corvette. Numerous other Chevrolet vehicles in the mix too. Imho, it comes down more to how things are handled initially at the dealership level. Only once while on a trip did I ever have an issue with a dealer. No problem, I just kept going till I found one that could correct the electrical malfunction.
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Interesting to read so many comments suggesting the A8 is having general problems rather than a relatively small percentage of failures as is to be expected with any mechanical assembly. Things fail... To expect perfection, regardless of price, is simply unrealistic and doesn't happen.
I don't own the A8 but have had my A6 since early 2014... No transmission issues whatsoever. I have driven several A8's and experienced zero transmission related issues. Having said that I literally drove the heck out of two A8's about a month ago at Ron Fellows school. I spent 1 day doing open lapping and 2 days doing the level 2 course. Three days of solid paddle shift driving, pushing the car and shifts to my limits... And that included a full blown instructor driven session where the instructor pushed the car to the tire's limits trying to keep up with two Instructor driven Z06's (one of which was an A8 as well). My point is the A8's showed no issues... No bad shifts... No over heating... No failures... No hint of a problem. None of the A8's experienced any issues while I was there and those cars were being pushed far beyond the levels 99% of owners will ever push their cars to, especially on the streets.
There are some design issues... Borderline cooling if tracking the car during hot weather... Not a great computer controlled shift point (D-mode) if tracking the car for more than 1 or 2 fast laps... But i have yet to hear/see any design flaws that would seem to affect street use for most users or applications.
I look forward to getting an A8 when I finally trade up to a Z06.
I don't own the A8 but have had my A6 since early 2014... No transmission issues whatsoever. I have driven several A8's and experienced zero transmission related issues. Having said that I literally drove the heck out of two A8's about a month ago at Ron Fellows school. I spent 1 day doing open lapping and 2 days doing the level 2 course. Three days of solid paddle shift driving, pushing the car and shifts to my limits... And that included a full blown instructor driven session where the instructor pushed the car to the tire's limits trying to keep up with two Instructor driven Z06's (one of which was an A8 as well). My point is the A8's showed no issues... No bad shifts... No over heating... No failures... No hint of a problem. None of the A8's experienced any issues while I was there and those cars were being pushed far beyond the levels 99% of owners will ever push their cars to, especially on the streets.
There are some design issues... Borderline cooling if tracking the car during hot weather... Not a great computer controlled shift point (D-mode) if tracking the car for more than 1 or 2 fast laps... But i have yet to hear/see any design flaws that would seem to affect street use for most users or applications.
I look forward to getting an A8 when I finally trade up to a Z06.
I have the same issue with my 2017 Z06/07 and I just chalked it up to a characteristic of the A8. I can see how some people would feel that this shouldn't happen when you spend $$$ on a car, but the reality is, cars are imperfect, just like the people who build them. I have yet to own a car that didn't have issues here or there...... The torque converter issue with the hesitation in 3rd can be avoided by driving the car in auto or driving the car a little harder. Should you have to do these work arounds? In a perfect world...no. Is this a perfect world?...not by a long shot. The car has so much going for it that a slight annoyance should either be lived with, or, if it really bothers you that much, sell the car. But guess what? Whatever you buy in it's place will have issues of its own. Ask the Ferrari owners how they feel about the "little issue" of their cars catching on fire? Or the $10,000 header replacements they have to do....etc.....etc....etc...... Or the Lambo owners with their clutches imploding on and on and on....... I think some things in life just need to be tolerated because the amount of effort expended to illuminate them isn't worth it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 701
Likes: 179
From: Muskoka ontario
......Launch the car with the shift selector in M ( manual). Paddle shift up to third gear, accomplishing all shifts before aprox 2000 Rpm.Now in third gear with the rpm between 1500 to 1800 RPM start a light acceleration in third with the intention that you will accelerate to above 2600 RPM before paddle shifting to fourth. In third , as you pass about 2200 rpm accelerating, you will get a momentary hesitation ( bump or jolt).
Accelerating in third while in manual, the harder you accelerate the less noticeable the bump is and it occurs at a higher rpm.
*this does not happen while accelerating in third gear with the shift selector in D
* this bump does not happen in any other gear
*although I had two TC replacements and one TC/transmission replacement in my 2015 for multiple drive line faults this bump condition never went away.
*a tech who had the computer plugged into my car on a test drive said it was TCC apply and that it was a normal condition. GM TAC said the same thing.
*my 2018 A8 does the same thing but it is not nearly as pronounced.
*this condition will show up in M3 accelerating regardless of the drive mode ie Tour, Sport , Track etc.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
2015 , C7 , A8, 15,000 miles now and discovered a NEW problem.
The other day here in Florida I took a trip that had several stoplights along the highway with mostly 45 or 55 MPH speed limits. I have not used the paddle shifters much so here was a perfect chance and I placed the Drive Selector in M (manual). While accelerating from the stoplight I paddle shifted my way up to 7th gear. While accelerating in 3rd gear I noticed a heavy "buck" or "jolt" . Next stoplight I accelerated a bit harder and used the paddles to upshift and while the shifting was crisp and smooth again as the rpm was building in 3rd gear I got a heavier buck or jolt .
I have tried this multiple times over the last few days with the same results.
If I put the drive selector back to D (drive) the above described jolt does not happen while accelerating in third gear. Puzzeled.
The fault happens in , Tour, Sport, Track etc, no difference........and I still have the harsh shift 1-2 first drive of the day but that is another thread. ANY THOUGHTS ??
The other day here in Florida I took a trip that had several stoplights along the highway with mostly 45 or 55 MPH speed limits. I have not used the paddle shifters much so here was a perfect chance and I placed the Drive Selector in M (manual). While accelerating from the stoplight I paddle shifted my way up to 7th gear. While accelerating in 3rd gear I noticed a heavy "buck" or "jolt" . Next stoplight I accelerated a bit harder and used the paddles to upshift and while the shifting was crisp and smooth again as the rpm was building in 3rd gear I got a heavier buck or jolt .
I have tried this multiple times over the last few days with the same results.
If I put the drive selector back to D (drive) the above described jolt does not happen while accelerating in third gear. Puzzeled.
The fault happens in , Tour, Sport, Track etc, no difference........and I still have the harsh shift 1-2 first drive of the day but that is another thread. ANY THOUGHTS ??
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 555
Likes: 25
From: Jefferson County Alabama
FYI: at Spring Mountain , we drove the autos in manual mode all the time, shifting up to 5th gear ,and downshifting in turns; never felt any bump/delay; maybe due to hard driving as another mentioned; and, all the Vettes had 1500 miles or less on them. I asked about trans problems,and, the instructors claimed no problems.
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Yes, I think the following is the condition he is referring to;
......Launch the car with the shift selector in M ( manual). Paddle shift up to third gear, accomplishing all shifts before aprox 2000 Rpm.Now in third gear with the rpm between 1500 to 1800 RPM start a light acceleration in third with the intention that you will accelerate to above 2600 RPM before paddle shifting to fourth. In third , as you pass about 2200 rpm accelerating, you will get a momentary hesitation ( bump or jolt).
Accelerating in third while in manual, the harder you accelerate the less noticeable the bump is and it occurs at a higher rpm.
*this does not happen while accelerating in third gear with the shift selector in D
* this bump does not happen in any other gear
*although I had two TC replacements and one TC/transmission replacement in my 2015 for multiple drive line faults this bump condition never went away.
*a tech who had the computer plugged into my car on a test drive said it was TCC apply and that it was a normal condition. GM TAC said the same thing.
*my 2018 A8 does the same thing but it is not nearly as pronounced.
*this condition will show up in M3 accelerating regardless of the drive mode ie Tour, Sport , Track etc.
......Launch the car with the shift selector in M ( manual). Paddle shift up to third gear, accomplishing all shifts before aprox 2000 Rpm.Now in third gear with the rpm between 1500 to 1800 RPM start a light acceleration in third with the intention that you will accelerate to above 2600 RPM before paddle shifting to fourth. In third , as you pass about 2200 rpm accelerating, you will get a momentary hesitation ( bump or jolt).
Accelerating in third while in manual, the harder you accelerate the less noticeable the bump is and it occurs at a higher rpm.
*this does not happen while accelerating in third gear with the shift selector in D
* this bump does not happen in any other gear
*although I had two TC replacements and one TC/transmission replacement in my 2015 for multiple drive line faults this bump condition never went away.
*a tech who had the computer plugged into my car on a test drive said it was TCC apply and that it was a normal condition. GM TAC said the same thing.
*my 2018 A8 does the same thing but it is not nearly as pronounced.
*this condition will show up in M3 accelerating regardless of the drive mode ie Tour, Sport , Track etc.