When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My 17 Z06 A8 runs just fine. Forums are a magnet for problem reports.
right
u will hear from the 100 to 200 who have had an issue and will not hear a word from the 100,000 A8 owners ( across the GM line ) that have not experienced any issues
2015 A8 , 30,000 wonderful enjoyable miles .....
Dave
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/SB-10097193-2280.pd
The stator job is bad. If they are replacing the stator in the car, they might as well install a new torque convertor while they are in there.
Having been a mechanic in a past life, I know there are jobs I don't want to do and what jobs suck in the summer time. Pulling out the rear end of a Corvette in July sucks!
I took in the car and the TSB. I am friends with most of the guys in service at the dealership so they respect my opinion when it comes to wrenching on a car or bike.
Mike , having worked on cars, then surely you know that the "stator" is inside the torque converter and is not a serviceable part by the dealership . If your stator was bad ... which I highly doubt , it would have required the replacement of the TQ ..A bad Stator would manifest itself by a car not moving or one that sounds like it has a 4,000 rpm stall converter , not rough shifting . Making them reflash the TCM unit with new firmware was the right choice ...
It's great that you A8 owners haven't had any problems, but for those of us that have, it's a REAL pain in the ***. No one goes into buying a $60K car with the intent that having tranny problems is an ideal situation of ownership. Give me a frickin break! On my recent trip to the dealership, the tech was going to change out the TC, but found a recent SB that said to do the flush and replace with a synthetic fluid. I've put about 2K miles on the car since the fluid change, and so far, no problems. I hope this is a fix because it sure takes the luster off of having a fine sports car.
It's great that you A8 owners haven't had any problems, but for those of us that have, it's a REAL pain in the ***. No one goes into buying a $60K car with the intent that having tranny problems is an ideal situation of ownership. Give me a frickin break! On my recent trip to the dealership, the tech was going to change out the TC, but found a recent SB that said to do the flush and replace with a synthetic fluid. I've put about 2K miles on the car since the fluid change, and so far, no problems. I hope this is a fix because it sure takes the luster off of having a fine sports car.
I agree. Mine was flushed at 15k, and I only have 400 miles since. No issues, but I installed the Range module and my problem was the rumble going from V4 to V8.
I agree. Mine was flushed at 15k, and I only have 400 miles since. No issues, but I installed the Range module and my problem was the rumble going from V4 to V8.
I've never experienced any kind of weirdness at all when going in and out of V4 mode in my 2018, so I wonder if GM did something differently with the system to make it more reliable and/or more seamless in the transitions? I often hear people mention they can really notice the change but honestly mine goes in and out of V4 mode very smoothly. I see no reason at this point for me to ever consider buying a Range AFM disabler, especially since I'm really enjoying the extra 5% bump in MPG that I get (with zero negative effects IMO) A lot of people have been assuming that V4 mode is what kills A8 trannies and torque converters but I'm not so sure about that. I know my car is still relatively fresh, with just under 6000 miles on it now, but there isn't a hint of any kind of trans issue and I let it go into V4 mode every time I drive it.
I've never experienced any kind of weirdness at all when going in and out of V4 mode in my 2018, so I wonder if GM did something differently with the system to make it more reliable and/or more seamless in the transitions? I often hear people mention they can really notice the change but honestly mine goes in and out of V4 mode very smoothly. I see no reason at this point for me to ever consider buying a Range AFM disabler, especially since I'm really enjoying the extra 5% bump in MPG that I get (with zero negative effects IMO) A lot of people have been assuming that V4 mode is what kills A8 trannies and torque converters but I'm not so sure about that. I know my car is still relatively fresh, with just under 6000 miles on it now, but there isn't a hint of any kind of trans issue and I let it go into V4 mode every time I drive it.
Mine was perfect also until about 14-15k Miles. The stutter from V4 to V8 got pretty bad quickly. It does shift “stronger”since the flush and synthetic fluid was done. Perhaps yours had the synthetic from the factory.
Mine was perfect also until about 14-15k Miles. The stutter from V4 to V8 got pretty bad quickly. It does shift “stronger”since the flush and synthetic fluid was done. Perhaps yours had the synthetic from the factory.
Mine is a very late build 2018 so I think they had already started going with the better fluid by this time. Fingers crossed that it does the trick at keeping problems at bay!
My 17 GS had flush done last week at 12k mi. It made it less noticeable, but still had shudder and slight rpm flux. Took it back and got tq converter ordered.
Mine is a very late build 2018 so I think they had already started going with the better fluid by this time. Fingers crossed that it does the trick at keeping problems at bay!
Pat, The new full synthetic transmission oil was introduced about mid December 2016 about the same time as the most recent version of the TC part # 24280631. That probably is why we are not seeing TC issues being posted for 2017 MY A8's built after about Dec 2016. I recall seeing one late MY 2017 post regarding driveline issues but the description of the symptoms did not fit with the list of typical TC failure symptoms. Correct me if I am wrong but I have not seen any TC failure reports on this or other forum boards for 2018 or 2019 MY A8's.
Just FYI my MY 2015 built Aug 2014 had the first TC replacement at about 13000 miles when I was in Florida and the part # off was 24279495 and part # on was same , 24279495.
It failed and was replaced four months later, part # off 24279495, part # on, 24279495.
It also failed and the TC was again replaced for the third time in early Feb 2017 in Florida. This time the third ( or fourth?) iteration TC part # 24280631 was used with the new fluid. I drove the car or another 3000 miles and there were no issues. I then ordered a new car MY 2018 built late June 2017 and for 9000 miles there are no issues, except for one not TC related. The issue was at about the 2200 mile mark on the drive to Florida, Nov 2017, I noticed the dreaded " Warble". I put up with it all winter long in Florida waiting to have it repaired upon returning to Ontario late April. Back home at our dealership they had no knowledge of this issue probably due to the very low # of cars here compared to the USA. As a starting point I asked the dealer to drain the differential ( differential known to be the source of the warble) and refill. My service report shows the drained fluid was basically clear ( minor shedding as expected for new gears during break in) and only TWO quarts came out. They refilled with the required three quarts and since then in about 1500 miles of driving, no warble.Maybe dodged a bullet and if not will post.
ATC, hopefully the transmission flush ( and a new tranny filter) will solve the problem for you long term as it seems to have worked in many reported cases.
In the off chance it does not work and it becomes necessary to do a TC replacement be sure the replacement part # is at least 24280631 or subsequent if such exists.
Also be certain the servicing dealer has done this procedure previously on other C7 A8's and that pretty much eliminates the possibility of re assembly screw ups.
Larry, best of luck on the recent flush and keep us posted.
From what I hear only 5% of A8's have had issues, unfortunately I fell into the 5% and let me tell you it does not appear that they can fix it. Flushes done, TC replaced, Differential replaced, rear axel replaced and still the same issues, its going back in on the 30th of this month.
From what I hear only 5% of A8's have had issues, unfortunately I fell into the 5% and let me tell you it does not appear that they can fix it.
It might seem like it's 5% based on how many people on here have reported problems but I can assure you that it's not 5% of all A8 C7s produced. That would be thousands and thousands of cars. I bet the true problem rate is less than 1%.
It might seem like it's 5% based on how many people on here have reported problems but I can assure you that it's not 5% of all A8 C7s produced. That would be thousands and thousands of cars. I bet the true problem rate is less than 1%.
Director of maintenance at a very large dealership Florida did my third TC replacement told me;
1) as of 18 months ago the estimate was between 5-7%.
2) He was not sure if that statistic included customers who had already had a replacement TC and were back for a second TC replacement. When mine was replaced the shop foreman told me if any symptoms returned to to come back. He stated many of their customers had not yet come back but several had for a second TC.
3) There will probably be additional 2015,2016 and early 2017's that have not yet become a statistic as northern stored week-end only drive cars will take years to reach the typical 10,000 to 15,000 mile failure mark. One of my Florida friends ( Oct 2014 build A8) asked me to do a test drive with him. He noticed at 33,000 miles ( DD year round FL resident) he had the "rumble strip" feel which had only started.
4) Before I left the FL dealership I went to the parts counter to ask how long it takes them to get a TC. The guy I spoke to said that is never a problem as they always have a minimum of two in stock. With six months on my hands in FL and time to spare I called two other dealers known to have replaced TC's as posted by forum members. I quoted my TC part # to inquire if they stocked same.....answer, yes. I'll let you draw your own conclusion.
After 7,000 miles and three years and one month from the full warranty period, my 2015 Stingray Coupe developed severe torque converter shudder on cruise at 60-70 MPH. I took it in to the delivering dealer and it was confirmed, They opted to go straight to the replacement converter bypassing the Service Bulletin recommendation of a triple flush. No one at the dealership could explain the cause of the original problem with the torque converter nor could they give any assurance that it won't occur again. Fortunately this time it was covered by the power train warranty but in two more years that also will be over with no extension. Sad that GM builds a nice car with an inherent problem and won't disclose what caused it or that the replacement will cure the problem! I did get a picture of both old and new converters and they do have different Part. Nos.
After 7,000 miles and three years and one month from the full warranty period, my 2015 Stingray Coupe developed severe torque converter shudder on cruise at 60-70 MPH. I took it in to the delivering dealer and it was confirmed, They opted to go straight to the replacement converter bypassing the Service Bulletin recommendation of a triple flush. No one at the dealership could explain the cause of the original problem with the torque converter nor could they give any assurance that it won't occur again. Fortunately this time it was covered by the power train warranty but in two more years that also will be over with no extension. Sad that GM builds a nice car with an inherent problem and won't disclose what caused it or that the replacement will cure the problem! I did get a picture of both old and new converters and they do have different Part. Nos.
Unfortunately the A8 is a dud. It took you 7000 miles to crap out it may take more or less miles for others. A class action suite is the only answer to protect all owners. It is outrageous to subject any owner to the horrible tear down that is needeed to replace the converter.
Unfortunately the A8 is a dud. It took you 7000 miles to crap out it may take more or less miles for others. A class action suite is the only answer to protect all owners. It is outrageous to subject any osner to the horrible tear down that is needeed to replace the converter.
The drive lines are being destroyed by AFM. You would be seeing similar issues in the M7 cars if they kicked into AFM in all modes like it does with the A8 cars.
When AFM puts your car in V4 mode, it is damaging the driveline - the GM engineers saw this issue when developing these cars which is why they changed the driveline to steel vs aluminum in an attempt to reduce the damaging vibrations caused by AFM and V4 mode. Obviously, they underestimated the amount of vibration caused by V4 mode in terms of the stress it would put on all the other driveline parts (like the squashed torque converter...).
I agree with your point about the class action lawsuit, this is a completely unacceptable situation. The worst part is that this is a design issue and GM is just bandaging the issue by replacing the parts that fail without addressing the core cause of the issue, meaning that the parts will continue to fail, even after everyones warranty is expired, leaving the owners of these cars with faulty drivelines that will continually fail over very short periods.
Last edited by kennyjames21; 08-15-2018 at 11:09 AM.
07-14-2018, 02:26 PM
