More transmission shudder news
 

Took my 17 GS in yesterday. Dealer was going to do the flush and replace the torque converter. GM e-mailed them this am and said they wouldn't pay for the torque converter, only the flush. GM stated they are working on a "permanent " solution which would be available after the first of the year. Wow, they have known about the problem for a significant amount of time so now they are working on a permanent fix. Gobbledygook in my opinion. Buy an 80,000 dollar car and then refuse to really try to fix it and tell me to wait until after the first of the year. That could be anytime in 2019. And btw, after the flush and new filter I think the problem feels worse especially at certain speeds. Dealer service people seem to be frustrated as well and not happy at GMs process.

My dealer stated that GM has revised he TSB and they are no longer doing the full triple flush and no way the TC is getting replaced. So you've confirmed what I was told.

For the revised TSB there was no filter replacement either. On my service ticked it states "cleaned filter" vs "replaced"... other than that the service ticket looked the same as the others I've seen posted here.

Sorry to hear about the problem.

M7 owner here.... :hide:

Sell you a new car?

I wonder... if you've had the full flush and TC replaced, will you have a tough time getting the new permanent repair?

Sounds about right...
:rofl:

Clearly the bean counters have taken charge. My triple flush and new filter job probably cost GM close to $500 in warranty charges. They are pinching pennies. The 2015 cars will soon be out of drive train warranty, then the owner is screwed. I call BS!

The fact that GM has finally gotten to the point of having a permanent fix for the A8 issues in the near future is good news IMO.
"Better late than never" certainly applies here.

We'll see. I'm not optimistic. There are so many vehicles, including trucks, that have the A8 tranny. GM is looking at a HUGE potential cost to resolve all the issues related to the A8 and the drive train.

You should make sure your car has the latest software update.
If not, have them re-flash the system.
A lot of issues go away. Well mine did. 2015 Stingray.
Good Luck.

The flush and new filter has been good for mine in the lat 20K miles. I am going to replace the ATF and filter at 60K. About 1K more miles.

Maybe next year they will replace all our A8's with the new DCT.

[QUOTE=HooosierDaddy;1598212285]My dealer stated that GM has revised he TSB and they are no longer doing the full triple flush and no way the TC is getting replaced. So you've confirmed what I was told.

For the revised TSB there was no filter replacement either. On my service ticked it states "cleaned filter" vs "replaced"... other than that the service ticket looked the same as the others I've seen posted here.[/QUOTE) Yep just yesterday My 2017 A8 z06 which really had no issues. I called and requested the service under the TSB My A8 was flushed and filled with the NEW Mobil 1 LV!

This makes me wonder, maybe GM might install new software like the European and the manual version to keep the engine in V8 mode and software to stop the constant modulating of the converter. Since the Govt. is easing up on auto standards, fuel and emissions, this could be the cure.

never gonna happen... but I like the idea!

Please keep everyone posted on this. If they refuse to fix cars cause they are past warranty yet they knew their was an issue when the car was taken in during warranty, that's a huge issue for you A8 guys.

It would be a huge slap in the face to make you guys pay for the fix later.

I would love to see a class action law suit. I have to wonder what the permanent fix could be, not holding my breath. I use the Range device and no issues as of yet, just over 6K, 17 GS.

That is crazy! Pure non-sense!
We will still be screwed with no positive outcome for our current cars and a few lawyers will be much, much richer.
You must be a lawyer.

some are stating no TC replacement (via GM warranty).. but they are still doing the triple flush.
Others said the triple flush is also not being done under warranty.

I was just about to try and convince my dealer to do the triple-flush under warranty; so is the triple-flush off the table now?

YMMV, but it looks like that may be the case.

It is gone Mike. Only a flush, filter cleaning, and new fluid. I had mine done several weeks ago, but don't have enough miles to tell if it worked. However, I don't put mine into drive without the Range unit on.

I have not noticed much change in the shutter... maybe not as pronounced as previously experienced, but still present.

Here is my service ticket.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...65e00a9dad.jpg

I had the triple flush done last year (at 5 K miles) and have been using the range device ever since. I had an appointment at the dealer to get an annual inspection and oil change so I took the range out. On the way to the dealer (approx. 30 miles) I noticed my transmission was shuddering again (now at 8 K miles) as it had before the flush. Mentioned this to the service manager and he showed me the new TSB stating GM will be making an announcement in the FIRST QUARTER OF 2019. He said the same as some of you have stated above; "no TC replacements until the new bulletin comes out." I think he said he could do another flush but since my car is heading for storage I told him I would wait for the new bulletin and see what that brings.

So you think you can get GM to make the very costly repair to hundreds of cars under warranty, good luck with that. Only thing that gets big companies attention is through the legal system. I have been a part of only one large class action suit and it was effective. No not a lawyer just a guy that doesn't like shelling out 65k plus for a GM company known problem that they don't seem to want to or know how to fix. Class action suit is only my suggestion, what is your suggestion? I do agree that lawyers would definitely get compensated but if GM was at fault all cars would get repaired. Good luck to all who have this problem.

We had the SINGLE flush done too on 9/29/2018 to cooler and lines WITH NEW transmission filter (PN 24274402) installed (all under warranty). No more RPM fluctuation so far. Fingers crossed!!!!
Heidi
Save the Wave

It's a beautiful car, too bad they can't build it right.

The GM A8 is the weak link, the Tremec M7 and the rest of the car seems pretty good. I had the A8 in my 2016 Camaro, 5500 miles and I started shuddering all down the highway. I assume they are stopping the torque converter replacements since that actually doesn't fix the problem. Eventually, it will start shuddering again just like the original one did. The new fluid sounds more promising but only time will tell if it reduces the wear to the point where owners won't feel it. But for how long? Will it just prolong the issue from returning? I would suspect they need a new software or hardware design modification to deal with the TC slips and shudder.

The fix will be, tear it out and replace with M7!

Doubt that will happen considering the M7 is only a hair away from retirement in regard to the Corvette. :shrug:

I would say the vast majority of C7 owners will say they have built it right. :cheers:

My 14 Stingray, Z51 was sure built right. Not a single issue with the car in the 4 years and 3 months I owned it.

So far I have had zero Issues with my 18 Grand Sport.

Both mine have been M7 cars

Had my 2016 W/Z51 triple flushed and so far its working, car only has 8200 miles..Problem started around 7500 miles..

Please due some research before your purchase.Here is a write up from Motor Trend. Read this completely
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...3b17217aa7.jpg

At my age the race days are over, but the car as beautiful as it is has issues. I'm getting ready to replace the front rotors and pads on my car at only 8200 miles.Tons of brake dust and the rotors are pulsating bad..this is my 3rd vette and had to do the brakes on all of them..

Since you don't track your car, that is only possible if you have grown into a habit abusing your brakes at every stop.

Or driving with a foot resting on the brake pedal.

Thanks Heidi, that gives me a little hope.

After Mobil 1 and software updates don't forget to disable V4 operation in modes except Eco.

I'm more inclined to believe they are looking for a "one and done" fix. Many people have had multiple flushes and TC replacements and my guess is that GM wants a fix that will be permanent so they can cut their losses.
I understand they may have come up with a fix for the torque converters in their lighter duty vehicles and I'm hoping in the first Quarter of 2019 the fix will be ready for the TCs in the high performance vehicles such as our corvettes.

Knowing GM it will be a letter saying Dear Customer The A8 transmission is a very advanced transmission and all the terrible things you imagine its doing is how its supposed to operate and is "Performing as designed". GM will say just about anything not to have to pay for proper repairs.

I feel it isn't the transmission per se but the implementation of AFM in an effort to increase average CAFE mileage. Pulsing the torque converter along with cylinder deactivation was a stupid way to go. The only real fix currently available is the Range device. It is beyond me why a Corvette owner would take a chance in running their car in V4 mode at all.

That would be a bummer for Range owners.

GM asked me if I would loan them the original Powerglide transmission out of my 1964 Corvette, so they could reverse engineer it to fit in the C7.

Didn't the 2014 Corvette have AFM, etc? I don't recall anyone complaining about the 2014 A6 with AFM, etc. like they are with the A8 from 2015 onward.

Good one.

yup, mine too....and I love it when people say "stay away from first year models". :lol:

and with all the documented problems with the A8 it amazes me people still gotta have one....well don't say you weren't warned.

Good luck OP, I hope a solution is found right quick for you.

Please get over the 6spd is better nonsense

it isn't. Period.

my bet is a software upgrade to stop the pulsing of the clutch. And problem solved.

and for the M7 guys... go away. No.. I dont want one. If I did I'd have one.

hahaha....okay, whatever you say. Hey, can you show me all the threads where people are saying just how bad the A6 is, I'd be interested in reading where you get your logic from. :lurk:

Software upgrade, yeah, that's the solution. :lolg: How about some hopes and prayers while you're at it....maybe change the bumper fluid, yeah, that's the problem, change the bumper fluid. :yesnod:

M7 owner here, and not going away. I want to see how this all pans out...

:shrug: :seeya

You figured it out!

:rofl:

I have a 2016 Z51 with the 8 speed with 5,000 miles and it started shuddering really bad. Dealer just did the tranny flush with Mobil 1 ATF and that seems to have solved the problem. They said drive it for a few hundred miles to be sure but after 50 miles it feels good. The shudder before was so bad it felts like I was driving over rumble strips on the road, the whole car would shake and now it seems fine. I will keep my fingers crossed that it is fixed for good.

John

It's sad that Tadge and his engineers just won't admit that the A8 tranny coupled with AFM just is a bad design. As more owners accumulate more miles using AFM there will likely be more reports of cars with failing torque converters exhibiting the shuddering. When will it end?

My comment was somewhat tongue in cheek.

It was really bad on the 2016 Camaros. I had one and it started shuddering within 5000 miles. A family member had a 2016 Camaro and it started shuddering at 5800 miles, they skipped the triple flush and just replaced the TC since the dealer said they were seeing so many of them and they kept coming back for the same issue. he since sold the car. Another guy I know has a Tahoe and it shudders down the highway. It really doesn't matter what vehicle this A8 is installed in, they eventually seem to exhibit this behavior. I really hope they find a real fix for it and not some mystery oil to slow the wear of the TC clutches.

Which Tahoe does your buddy have that has an A8 in it?

and the 6spd is ancient tech. The 8spd destroys it. Had them both own 2 vehicles with LT engines and the 8spd. One had the flush and is perfect and the other had 25k miles on it and needed a converter and got the new fluid in it.

I wouldnt buy a Tahoe Premier with the 6spd or a Yukon SLT because it has the 6 spd.. that 6spd trans feels lifeless once you drive the 8 9 or 10 speed. I would only do the Denali or RST if I pick one up when my current one goes back.

feels like going from a 4spd to the 6 spd auto if you remember that transition.

It's just possible that GM is really trying hard to identify the cause and find a permanent fix, but haven't been able to do so yet.

Old saying:
"Never ascribe to malice, something that can be explained by mere incompetence."

back and forth
 

This Torque Converter thing is BS With all these problems, instead of having GM rip the car apart a class action lawsuit is really in order. With all the defective A8s A class action lawsuit seems to be a sure winner. No judge after sorting it out would not award restitution.

$$$ restitution might me great, but GM should fix the transmission issue without delay or further BS

GM usually introduces a new generation of Corvette both a year later than they should (slow development) and a year sooner than they should (insufficient testing).

Well that explains something. Had shudder so they did the flush earlier this year. 10 thousand miles later shudder is back. Took it in mid September. They wrote ticket to replace torque converter. Been waiting since then. Being told converter is on national back order. For a month.

I’m guessing this is the reason why it’s not been delivered. I’ll have to print out the tsb sheet and visit the dealer Monday and ask about it. Although I don’t know why they just couldn’t tell me this up front.

Frustrating.

Just had my 2017 Z in for shudder problem at 2620 miles
1 flush, drove 100 miles per dealer for it to take effect, still shudders
Just downloaded GM BS response saying REAL solution 1st qtr 2019

Anybody in for a class action suit claiming GM knew of problem but cannot offer fix?

Based on the number of new posts we see each week on this forum regarding transmission shudder this will only get worse as the miles continue to climb. It seems so common that I am not sure how any A8 transmission is immune. It may just depend on the type of driving you do. I think highway driving may increase the TC clutch wear and cause the TC to shudder quicker as the car will spend more time in V4 mode. I know of three 2016 Camaros and they all started shuddering between 5-10k miles, including mine.

True. When looking into this... I found more gripes and complaints for this very failure on the Camaro sites.

Mabe you have never owned a GM car.. GM realy does not give a crap.

Class action law suit only makes lawyers money. Will not help anyone here for certain.

the flush and or TC replace works because the FLUID has changed. The new fluid is low viscosity.

please stop spreading falseities regarding the A8.

there's a reason no 18 or 19s have this issue and late produced 17s. Becaise they had the new fluid installed from new.

I have 2 2016 A8s. Both have new LV fluid and performa flawlessly. One with 6500 miles and the other with 26k miles

What about the torque converter in the post '17s? Is it different from the '15s and '16s?

they could not fix a wire
 

I had a 13 gs got a recall on the wire to headlight they did not fix this wire for the run of the c6 never had it fix but do have a 2018 gs drop top m7 good luck to all of you with a a8

Not totally correct at least for some of us!
I have had the flush (X3) torque converter change and now transmission valve body change over the last three months. Just got my car back yesterday and have put a couple hundred miles on it. I will put two or three hundred on it today checking out the fall colors. I use a Ranger AFM/DOD disabler to eliminate that problem.

If I still have problems after a few hundred more miles I am going to be PISSED!!

Good luck all with your problems,

This A8 tranny issue is like a bad soap opera. Nothing significant ever happens, story keeps changing but very little ever changes. Very frustrating for those of us with problem cars. GM is losing face with lots of unhappy car and truck owners. They are spending tons of money treating symptoms without a cure all the while frustrating both dealers and owners. Anyone with an A8 should dump it before 5 years or buy a protection plan.

Or, at minimum, an added tranny warranty beyond the usual drivetrain coverage (5 years).

That is the understanding. I don't recall any 18 or 19 owners posting problems. However, I just may have missed them. Hope not, one would think even GM could have found a fix for the newer models.

Corvettes are typically low mileage vehicles. Need more time to tell. My Camaro SS started shuddering at about 5700 miles. A buddies started at 7500 miles.

I took my 2016 Z51 A8 in last week for the TC shudder. 17750 or so on the odo. It wasn't horrible (mostly because I had a range installed) but it was certainly noticeable. They performed the TSB previously mentioned in this thread - single flush, filter, and replace fluid with correct fluid. So far so good. I reinstalled my Range as soon as I got home. The shifts feel much improved for now. So far I'm at about 200 miles since the work. Time will tell....

2018 and 2019 vehicles are part of the latest (early October) version of the infamous shudder TSB so I think it is safe to say that the problem has not yet been solved and won't be until converter clutch modulation is dropped, a new "super duper" clutch material is developed, or they make room for a more robust lockup clutch.

I just bought a 2016 Z51 convertible with 1700 miles on it. I didn't notice the vibration on the test drive but I do now that I've driven it a few hundred miles. It starts around 60 mph and seems to go away when I pass 70 mph. I took it back to the dealer and he said a permanent service fix is expected in Jan 2019. The temporary fix was a complete flush and fill of the transmission/torque converter.

So GM has known about this for what sounds like 3 years or more and they're JUST getting around to finding a permanent fix?

Thanks for posting this. I'll let you know if/when they actually fix it.

Joe

Good luck, jke. Some of us have been waiting for years for a permanent "fix". I have an idea and will post it in a separate thread to see what others think.

The skeptical me thinks that GM's permanent fix is a different auto tranny maybe from ZF in the C8? Just running out the clock till all the C7 drive train warranties are expired...

I really hope the aftermarket can eventually solve it - like the after market solved other GM issues GM refused to fix. I really like the C7 but how can I keep it for 20 years like I have other generations of vettes?

You can't keep these cars for a long time anymore since they are too complicated now. Who will keep making all these little electrical parts and sensors and the computer equipment to troubleshooting them 20 years from now. When you go asking for a mag ride shock replacement in 20 years they will look at you like you are crazy.

Well I took the car for a nice long highway cruise today and I still have the shudder. Not as bad as it was before but you can still feel it. The problem goes away if I put it in manual mode so I know it is the AFM causing it. Looks like I will be waiting until GM comes out with the fix early next year as it states in the latest service bulletin I have attached. The car was built in 10-2015 if that matters.

John

I hope GM will apply the new fix to any car requested by the owner. It is sometimes difficult to demonstrate the shudder on demand to the dealer.

Amen to that. My 2015 took >18 months before the shudder was repeatable enough to demonstrate to a dealer. The whole ordeal squelched what little love I had for slushboxes for the duration. I'm now back to an M7 where I belonged in the first place.

For those that had the problem in the Camaro: Does the Camaro also have AFM?? That certainly seems to exacerbate the problem. But the AFM is not the only cause. We are seeing some of the 2016 ATS-Vs have the shudder. They have the 8L90 also but without the AFM on their TTV6. Those shudders are manifesting themselves at a lot higher mileage than the Camaro/Corvette AFM exacerbated problems.

@jke0003
It is now the first week of February . . . does anyone have information on the 1stQ 2019 "permanent service fix" to the A8??