Is It Still A Crap Shoot For An A8?
#21
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2014
Location: Bonita Springs Florida
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There have been updates and SB's issued to fix problems, however, I would not buy another car w/ the A8.
If GM comes out w/ a new transmission in the next model, I will likely buy one. Since you have a Corvette, that you purchased expecting a well functioning automatic and not getting it, are you willing to roll the dice again hoping for a better outcome? I am not. Imagine buying a 2019 and then start to experience similar issues as your 2015.....
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newskatercat (05-09-2018)
#22
Race Director
Jeff strauser an engineer was at Carlisle this past August and said be changed the viscosity of the fluid or something to that effect something he claimed many manufacturers do over the life cycle of a transmission it's common to address issues like those brought up this time. I would have to assume late 17 and Beyond have the new fluid from the factory and shouldn't have any issues will be interesting to see if that's the case.
my Z06 a 16 built in February 2016, has zero issues at 4300 miles. I don't baby it but I don't kill it either. My buddy has the se car same miles and drag races it. No issues. Runs 9.7s at almost 140. Hundred passes or more. But Z06 has different converter and doesn't go into afm mode for more than a second at a time and is so infrequent it's a joke they have it in there.
my Z06 a 16 built in February 2016, has zero issues at 4300 miles. I don't baby it but I don't kill it either. My buddy has the se car same miles and drag races it. No issues. Runs 9.7s at almost 140. Hundred passes or more. But Z06 has different converter and doesn't go into afm mode for more than a second at a time and is so infrequent it's a joke they have it in there.
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newskatercat (05-09-2018)
#23
2017 Stingray (12/16 build), 12,000 miles, in V4 mode often. No problems yet. My only complaint is the clunk into reverse when first starting out. Holding brake harder mitigates it.
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newskatercat (05-09-2018)
#24
Le Mans Master
First off, most A8 owners don't have a problem. However, I think the real problem is that, so far, no "smoking gun" for the numerous A8 failures has been identified.
Thus, vague fixes like the "triple flush" that sometimes prevents recurrence and sometimes does not, give very little confidence to owners (or potential owners) that the A8 problem has *truly* been identified and fixed.
(Full disclosure: I don't buy automatic Corvettes anyway, even the seemingly bulletproof A6 in the 2014, so I don't have a dog in this A6/A8/A10 fight)
Thus, vague fixes like the "triple flush" that sometimes prevents recurrence and sometimes does not, give very little confidence to owners (or potential owners) that the A8 problem has *truly* been identified and fixed.
(Full disclosure: I don't buy automatic Corvettes anyway, even the seemingly bulletproof A6 in the 2014, so I don't have a dog in this A6/A8/A10 fight)
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newskatercat (05-09-2018)
#25
Jeff strauser an engineer was at Carlisle this past August and said be changed the viscosity of the fluid or something to that effect something he claimed many manufacturers do over the life cycle of a transmission it's common to address issues like those brought up this time. I would have to assume late 17 and Beyond have the new fluid from the factory and shouldn't have any issues will be interesting to see if that's the case.
my Z06 a 16 built in February 2016, has zero issues at 4300 miles. I don't baby it but I don't kill it either. My buddy has the se car same miles and drag races it. No issues. Runs 9.7s at almost 140. Hundred passes or more. But Z06 has different converter and doesn't go into afm mode for more than a second at a time and is so infrequent it's a joke they have it in there.
my Z06 a 16 built in February 2016, has zero issues at 4300 miles. I don't baby it but I don't kill it either. My buddy has the se car same miles and drag races it. No issues. Runs 9.7s at almost 140. Hundred passes or more. But Z06 has different converter and doesn't go into afm mode for more than a second at a time and is so infrequent it's a joke they have it in there.
#26
First off, most A8 owners don't have a problem. However, I think the real problem is that, so far, no "smoking gun" for the numerous A8 failures has been identified.
Thus, vague fixes like the "triple flush" that sometimes prevents recurrence and sometimes does not, give very little confidence to owners (or potential owners) that the A8 problem has *truly* been identified and fixed.
(Full disclosure: I don't buy automatic Corvettes anyway, even the seemingly bulletproof A6 in the 2014, so I don't have a dog in this A6/A8/A10 fight)
Thus, vague fixes like the "triple flush" that sometimes prevents recurrence and sometimes does not, give very little confidence to owners (or potential owners) that the A8 problem has *truly* been identified and fixed.
(Full disclosure: I don't buy automatic Corvettes anyway, even the seemingly bulletproof A6 in the 2014, so I don't have a dog in this A6/A8/A10 fight)
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newskatercat (05-09-2018)
#27
Drifting
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Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: Cape Coral Fl
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Having a 2015 also (with issues), I'd personally not trust the A8 regardless of year. My buddy has one also and went through arbitration w/ GM over his issues.
There have been updates and SB's issued to fix problems, however, I would not buy another car w/ the A8.
If GM comes out w/ a new transmission in the next model, I will likely buy one. Since you have a Corvette, that you purchased expecting a well functioning automatic and not getting it, are you willing to roll the dice again hoping for a better outcome? I am not. Imagine buying a 2019 and then start to experience similar issues as your 2015.....
There have been updates and SB's issued to fix problems, however, I would not buy another car w/ the A8.
If GM comes out w/ a new transmission in the next model, I will likely buy one. Since you have a Corvette, that you purchased expecting a well functioning automatic and not getting it, are you willing to roll the dice again hoping for a better outcome? I am not. Imagine buying a 2019 and then start to experience similar issues as your 2015.....
#28
Race Director
A8 issues were only around 3% by most accounts prior to actions GM took in late '16.
Such a BIG DEAL is made of it here, that's it's surprising how many C7 owners and enthusiasts outside this forum aren't even aware there's ever been a A8 issue.
I think you are fairly safe ordering an A8 in a 2019.
Such a BIG DEAL is made of it here, that's it's surprising how many C7 owners and enthusiasts outside this forum aren't even aware there's ever been a A8 issue.
I think you are fairly safe ordering an A8 in a 2019.
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newskatercat (05-10-2018)
#30
Le Mans Master
First off, most A8 owners don't have a problem. However, I think the real problem is that, so far, no "smoking gun" for the numerous A8 failures has been identified.
Thus, vague fixes like the "triple flush" that sometimes prevents recurrence and sometimes does not, give very little confidence to owners (or potential owners) that the A8 problem has *truly* been identified and fixed.
(Full disclosure: I don't buy automatic Corvettes anyway, even the seemingly bulletproof A6 in the 2014, so I don't have a dog in this A6/A8/A10 fight)
Thus, vague fixes like the "triple flush" that sometimes prevents recurrence and sometimes does not, give very little confidence to owners (or potential owners) that the A8 problem has *truly* been identified and fixed.
(Full disclosure: I don't buy automatic Corvettes anyway, even the seemingly bulletproof A6 in the 2014, so I don't have a dog in this A6/A8/A10 fight)
Plenty of smoking guns here. Bad torque converters and issues with oil draining back to the pan keeping the car from shifting when cold. Lets not forget the harsh down shifts so harsh in fact it sometimes feels as you have been rear ended at 5 mph. I don't doubt they changed the oil this would explain the whole purge and triple flush nonsense.
Instead, we have owners experiencing a recurrence of the problem, despite multiple versions of 'new/improved' TC's and triple flushes.
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newskatercat (05-10-2018)
#32
Race Director
The unscientific poll done here shows a higher percentage than that for 2015 and 2016. Whether they've fixed the TC issues for the long term on any MY is uncertain, and IMO a roll of the dice if you're in the market for an A8.
#33
Advanced
Fluid issue is solved now. Old fluid was deteriorating the clutches. Causing problem. Torque converter issues should all set now.
Notice the 2 missing springs. Assembled from factory this way. No good
Notice the 2 missing springs. Assembled from factory this way. No good
#34
Drifting
Having a 2015 also (with issues), I'd personally not trust the A8 regardless of year. My buddy has one also and went through arbitration w/ GM over his issues.
There have been updates and SB's issued to fix problems, however, I would not buy another car w/ the A8.
If GM comes out w/ a new transmission in the next model, I will likely buy one. Since you have a Corvette, that you purchased expecting a well functioning automatic and not getting it, are you willing to roll the dice again hoping for a better outcome? I am not. Imagine buying a 2019 and then start to experience similar issues as your 2015.....
There have been updates and SB's issued to fix problems, however, I would not buy another car w/ the A8.
If GM comes out w/ a new transmission in the next model, I will likely buy one. Since you have a Corvette, that you purchased expecting a well functioning automatic and not getting it, are you willing to roll the dice again hoping for a better outcome? I am not. Imagine buying a 2019 and then start to experience similar issues as your 2015.....
#35
Instructor
I am starting to think that some of the shifting complaints of the A8 are simply due to the nature of the transmission. In other words, one person will consider a harsh engagement a problem, while the other considers it a good positive shift. I say this because I just test drove a new 18 GS on Monday that had 20 miles on the clock and the downshift from 4-3 was certainly obvious. It was enough to catch my attention. Was it bad? Not in my opinion. But someone who comes from a Lexus may drive the car and think otherwise. I am not saying there weren't problems with the 15-16 A8's, but a percentage of the shift complaints are probably just matter of opinion. Remember, many of the performance uploads will make the shift points much crisper and more abrupt and people CHOOSE this.
#36
Melting Slicks
Not for me after what I went through, but YMMV.
Is that assuming the latest revision of the TC? When I had mine done in Feb. 2017 the TC was Rev. 3 (#24280631). Is that the one currently being used? Soon thereafter GM reverted to the 3x flush (no TC replacement) for a "let's give this a try first" fix, then a TC change if it doesn't work. With the older TC revisions some were coming back for the TC replacement after the flush, so it wasn't working for everyone. I haven't been keeping up with it as much as I used to but I haven't heard of any failure reports on the Rev. 3 TC with 3x flush. Anyone?
Is that assuming the latest revision of the TC? When I had mine done in Feb. 2017 the TC was Rev. 3 (#24280631). Is that the one currently being used? Soon thereafter GM reverted to the 3x flush (no TC replacement) for a "let's give this a try first" fix, then a TC change if it doesn't work. With the older TC revisions some were coming back for the TC replacement after the flush, so it wasn't working for everyone. I haven't been keeping up with it as much as I used to but I haven't heard of any failure reports on the Rev. 3 TC with 3x flush. Anyone?
Last edited by iclick; 05-16-2018 at 04:05 PM.