View Poll Results: A8 Transmission, TC Failures / Non Failures
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 383. You may not vote on this poll
A8 Failures
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
Finally ............ Some humor in this thread.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Like you I rarely feel V4/V8 kick in or out, mostly when on the highway in V4 and moving up a grade which would cause it to shift back to V8--a slight bump. No problem with that, as it is normal, but the shuddering was a rapid sensation lasting a second or two, then smooth, cycling randomly when under very slight acceleration. At times the shudder would be quite harsh, enough to shake the whole car. I never noticed any jerking other than the minor ones during V4-V8 transitions, but the shuddering has gotten worse and I'm now using manual mode, waiting my turn for a TC replacement hopefully next week.
16 Vettes and counting…..
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 1,146
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Back to the topic...
I took the Vette out yesterday for the first time in over a week. After starting it, I let it idle for maybe 30 seconds and then took off. I was specifically paying attention to how it shifted out of 1st and 2nd on a 33 degree day after having sat for 9 days.
Under slow acceleration, it shifted as smooth as butter and did the same from that point forward under more vigorous acceleration. Couldn't ask for smoother shifts. I'm very happy with this transmission.
That said, I understand that everyone cannot say the same and I'm truly sorry about that.
I took the Vette out yesterday for the first time in over a week. After starting it, I let it idle for maybe 30 seconds and then took off. I was specifically paying attention to how it shifted out of 1st and 2nd on a 33 degree day after having sat for 9 days.
Under slow acceleration, it shifted as smooth as butter and did the same from that point forward under more vigorous acceleration. Couldn't ask for smoother shifts. I'm very happy with this transmission.
That said, I understand that everyone cannot say the same and I'm truly sorry about that.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 29
From: McKinney TX
^^^ Are you saying your a8 NEVER has weird, jerky, harsh, or shifts that make you think "that was weird?"
My 2016 z51 has jerky 1-2 shifts, more so when cold, but it can also do it when fully warmed up. Oddly, it can also have butter smooth 1-2 shifts too.
Mine also has weird 3-4 shifts sometimes.. Like you start out the 1-2 shift is fine, but then 3-4 has a quick rev and shift.
AND, sometimes the 3-1 downshift, like when coming to a stop light, has a harsh shift.
If these things are "normal" (to Chevy) and not an indicator of long term reliability I can live with it.
I think most people will agree the a8 is one odd and quirky beast. If I could do it over again, I would have gotten the m7.
My 2016 z51 has jerky 1-2 shifts, more so when cold, but it can also do it when fully warmed up. Oddly, it can also have butter smooth 1-2 shifts too.
Mine also has weird 3-4 shifts sometimes.. Like you start out the 1-2 shift is fine, but then 3-4 has a quick rev and shift.
AND, sometimes the 3-1 downshift, like when coming to a stop light, has a harsh shift.
If these things are "normal" (to Chevy) and not an indicator of long term reliability I can live with it.
I think most people will agree the a8 is one odd and quirky beast. If I could do it over again, I would have gotten the m7.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Jan 13, 2017 at 09:30 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 1,449
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Back to the topic...
I took the Vette out yesterday for the first time in over a week. After starting it, I let it idle for maybe 30 seconds and then took off. I was specifically paying attention to how it shifted out of 1st and 2nd on a 33 degree day after having sat for 9 days.
Under slow acceleration, it shifted as smooth as butter and did the same from that point forward under more vigorous acceleration. Couldn't ask for smoother shifts. I'm very happy with this transmission.
That said, I understand that everyone cannot say the same and I'm truly sorry about that.
I took the Vette out yesterday for the first time in over a week. After starting it, I let it idle for maybe 30 seconds and then took off. I was specifically paying attention to how it shifted out of 1st and 2nd on a 33 degree day after having sat for 9 days.
Under slow acceleration, it shifted as smooth as butter and did the same from that point forward under more vigorous acceleration. Couldn't ask for smoother shifts. I'm very happy with this transmission.
That said, I understand that everyone cannot say the same and I'm truly sorry about that.
I know these issues may be a real problem for some, but I can't help but wonder how much of it is subjective ("it's like my car was hit from behind!", "the whole car shudders!", etc) if the owner is expecting a Lexus cloud like whisper quiet ride. Anyway, as I'm sure I'll be politely told shortly
I won't be spending anymore time bothering to read through and comment in the A8 problem threads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
^^^ There are so many treads on A8 maladies, most of which have tidbits of useful info, like the TC part number list in KirkGS's thread. I wonder if all A8 threads, or at least the latest and most active ones, could be merged into a sticky.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; Jan 13, 2017 at 09:29 PM. Reason: No need to re-quote the previous post, especially if you're the next person posting.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2015
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Likes: 779
Won't happen.
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
Got the car back mid week. No noise, shifts as it should and has been since I bought it. I am thinking my kid's brain is being affected by the junk food he eats during break from his classes in college. 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,224
Likes: 4,345
From: Chirper Island
Keep in mind, this forum is nowhere representative of the average Corvette driver, who has never registered on this (or any other) car forum.
Which is not to say I don't believe there is not a problem. Which way this poll may be skewed compared to the actual numbers is anyone's guess.
My guess is that they aren't failing at the numbers that this poll shows, but there is a definite problem.
Which is not to say I don't believe there is not a problem. Which way this poll may be skewed compared to the actual numbers is anyone's guess.
My guess is that they aren't failing at the numbers that this poll shows, but there is a definite problem.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 733
Likes: 225
From: Auburn AL
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,488
Likes: 1,028
From: MN
Not that it matters, but if you have some extra time, dig thru the voting on these years a little. . . Especially the 16s and 17s. About 3 of the 16s were made in 15 before the first design change, so there is a chance that might have actually helped. And I think a few of both might just be made up.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 90
From: Hillsdale NJ
You've got that right. And don't even think of "asking Tadge" about it or anything else about known issues or broken promises, you'll be warned that you aren't properly behaving and are going to be banned. Not too far away from being executed with an anti-aircraft gun for questioning the great leader.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,352
Likes: 9,631
From: Lawton, OK
C7 & C8 Events Correspondent
Tech Contributor
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2015 C7 of the Year
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
He also voted more than once under some of the names below in the 2015 failure categories. (He's actually back under a new username but hasn't yet voted in this poll as such.)
Torque converter failure 2017
2016c7fl, cjlinares, CorvettePride, GlassRoad, KrikGS, passinglane, QuickRoad, RCorvettePassion
Transmission failure 2017
CorvettePride, GlassRoad, QuickRoad