2017 Suburban Transmission - Early Death!

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

TechRev

TYF Newbie
Joined
Aug 27, 2022
Posts
2
Reaction score
4
Just posting here as a resource for others. Disappointing news this week regarding my 2017 Suburban. Transmission is needing complete replacement at only 126K. I first noticed when shifting was hard in the lower gears. Then, the most noticeable issue was a whining noise and slipping around 5th-6th gear. I took it into local dealership (trustworthy) and it was toast. Price on new one is $6,500 including parts and labor. This new one will have 3 yr /100K warranty. I definitely didn't anticipate transmission issues with so few miles (for a burb). Real bummer, not a fan!
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,719
Reaction score
34,683
Location
Stockton, Ca.
Just posting here as a resource for others. Disappointing news this week regarding my 2017 Suburban. Transmission is needing complete replacement at only 126K. I first noticed when shifting was hard in the lower gears. Then, the most noticeable issue was a whining noise and slipping around 5th-6th gear. I took it into local dealership (trustworthy) and it was toast. Price on new one is $6,500 including parts and labor. This new one will have 3 yr /100K warranty. I definitely didn't anticipate transmission issues with so few miles (for a burb). Real bummer, not a fan!
not excatly early, the 6l80's are well known to start having issue's around 120k torque converter goes out, it is the weak spot when it goes it takes the pump with it and the bellhousing, check balls shrink, clutches wear out, some parts develop cracks. find a good shop and have it rebuilt properly with all the known fixes.
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,719
Reaction score
34,683
Location
Stockton, Ca.
Was the fluid and or filters ever replaced? What temperature did your trans run at?
changing the fluid and filter can certainly help, the 100k rating that gm gives is a farce at best, nearly every single used one we looked at recently had dirty brown burnt fluid. I always recomend annual fluid change and no more than 40k intervals
 

15burban

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2023
Posts
70
Reaction score
115
Location
Wisconsin
changing the fluid and filter can certainly help, the 100k rating that gm gives is a farce at best, nearly every single used one we looked at recently had dirty brown burnt fluid. I always recomend annual fluid change and no more than 40k intervals
Couldn't agree with you more. I change the atf every year on my truck (16 ram 2500) and this 15 suburban we just got will get the same treatment. I also deleted the thermostat since in my opinion 195 is a little high for a transmission even with changing the fluid every year.
 

Seamus

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2019
Posts
280
Reaction score
364
Location
Palm Beach
It probably started with the torque converter. The 6 and 8 speed should have the TC done as preventice maintenance if you ask me. Because its a guarantee that its going. Recently saw a few 10 speed Tc issues but nothing compared to 6 and 8 speeds. But if not caught it takes out the trans. I do 30-40K trans fluid and filter changes and have never had an issue. My brother does 50-60 and has to do a trans at 135K on his suburban??? Not scientific, but enough reason to bust my brothers chops about it!
 

blondie70

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2023
Posts
89
Reaction score
127
Where is the thermostat in the trans ? I just changed my filter but had no idea the trans had a t-stat. Wudda yanked it out if I could have.
 

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2023
Posts
1,184
Reaction score
1,535
Location
(718)-
Just posting here as a resource for others. Disappointing news this week regarding my 2017 Suburban.
Transmission is needing complete replacement at only 126K. I first noticed when shifting was hard in the lower gears.
Then, the most noticeable issue was a whining noise and slipping around 5th-6th gear. I took it into local dealership (trustworthy) and it was toast.
Price on new one is $6,500 including parts and labor. This new one will have 3 yr /100K warranty.
I definitely didn't anticipate transmission issues with so few miles (for a burb). Real bummer, not a fan!
How often did you change your ATF & ATF filter?
GM's recommendations are not often enough.
 

NickTransmissions

Sin City
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Posts
843
Reaction score
1,976
Location
The transmission bench
Just posting here as a resource for others. Disappointing news this week regarding my 2017 Suburban. Transmission is needing complete replacement at only 126K. I first noticed when shifting was hard in the lower gears. Then, the most noticeable issue was a whining noise and slipping around 5th-6th gear. I took it into local dealership (trustworthy) and it was toast. Price on new one is $6,500 including parts and labor. This new one will have 3 yr /100K warranty. I definitely didn't anticipate transmission issues with so few miles (for a burb). Real bummer, not a fan!
Sucks, sorry to hear but the 6Ls crapping the bed at that mileage is not umcommon. 3-5-R clutch drum leakage and subsequent clutch burn-up is the likely culprit, as usual.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
129,239
Posts
1,812,644
Members
92,342
Latest member
Brian12019
Top