2018 Premier w/transmission issues.

[conquer1]

I bought this 2018 Tahoe Premier in August of this year, w/94k on the odometer. The Chevy dealer gives a lifetime warranty on engine and transmission on all vehicles under 100k.

Carfax showed that the previous owner had the transmission replaced in June of this year. So I figured with the new tranny and lifetime warranty, I shouldn't have to worry too much about transmission issues, if any, for a while. Well last week (with 101k on the odometer now), I started to get the dreaded "shudder". Felt like I was driving on rumble strips at times, and the transmission would shift a little hard sometimes.

I made an appointment to see the dealer. Appointment is 2 weeks out.

So I was driving it yesterday, and it seemed like it was back to normal. No issues. Then it started to have a hard time changing gears. Then it got stuck in a gear and wouldn't change at all. Called tow truck and had it towed home.

Is there ANOTHER new transmission in store for this Tahoe, or do you think it's a smaller problem (torque converter)?

 

[SaintMiles]

Doesn't sound good. Mine was shuddering. Needed a new torque converter. We ended up doing a full rebuild anyway.
But it does seem like if the thing was installed in June of this year there should be some kind of warranty. Good luck

 

[NickTransmissions]

I bought this 2018 Tahoe Premier in August of this year, w/94k on the odometer. The Chevy dealer gives a lifetime warranty on engine and transmission on all vehicles under 100k.

Carfax showed that the previous owner had the transmission replaced in June of this year. So I figured with the new tranny and lifetime warranty, I shouldn't have to worry too much about transmission issues, if any, for a while. Well last week (with 101k on the odometer now), I started to get the dreaded "shudder". Felt like I was driving on rumble strips at times, and the transmission would shift a little hard sometimes.

I made an appointment to see the dealer. Appointment is 2 weeks out.

So I was driving it yesterday, and it seemed like it was back to normal. No issues. Then it started to have a hard time changing gears. Then it got stuck in a gear and wouldn't change at all. Called tow truck and had it towed home.

Is there ANOTHER new transmission in store for this Tahoe, or do you think it's a smaller problem (torque converter)?

Converter failure typically leads to transmission overhaul or replacement. If the trans and converter is under warranty, you should be fine insofar as direct monetary impact; vehicle down time is another matter.

 

[conquer1]

Converter failure typically leads to transmission overhaul or replacement. If the trans and converter is under warranty, you should be fine insofar as direct monetary impact; vehicle down time is another matter.

It's definitely under warranty, so I'm not worried about the monetary impact. We also have several other vehicles to drive while this one gets fixed, so that's not an issue either.

After buying it, and joining FB groups and this forum, I found out how prevalent the transmission issues are. My main concern right now is how reliable is it going to be in the future. The entire transmission was replaced in June, just 2 months before I bought it. Am I looking at replacing either internal transmission parts or the entire transmission multiple times?

It's bad enough that an engine with 90k miles needed a brand new transmission. For that brand new transmission to fail in 6 months is just awful.

 

[NickTransmissions]

It's definitely under warranty, so I'm not worried about the monetary impact. We also have several other vehicles to drive while this one gets fixed, so that's not an issue either.

After buying it, and joining FB groups and this forum, I found out how prevalent the transmission issues are. My main concern right now is how reliable is it going to be in the future. The entire transmission was replaced in June, just 2 months before I bought it. Am I looking at replacing either internal transmission parts or the entire transmission multiple times?

It's bad enough that an engine with 90k miles needed a brand new transmission. For that brand new transmission to fail in 6 months is just awful.

What transmission do you have? 6L80/90 (six speed), 8L90 (eight speed) or 10L90 (ten speed)?

 

[conquer1]

What transmission do you have? 6L80/90 (six speed), 8L90 (eight speed) or 10L90 (ten speed)?

I've got the 6 speed

 

[NickTransmissions]

I've got the 6 speed

Visit my 6L80 Information thread for details (link is in my signature) but long story short, you need to install an upgraded torque converter with at least a .050" converter clutch (my TC builder uses a .070 thick Borg Warner high energy clutch). The factory installs a .22" woven style POS that, when combined with all of the hydraulic circuity issues in those transmissions, is a receipe for failing early and often.

 

[conquer1]

Visit my 6L80 Information thread for details (link is in my signature) but long story short, you need to install an upgraded torque converter with at least a .050" converter clutch (my TC builder uses a .070 thick Borg Warner high energy clutch). The factory installs a .22" woven style POS that, when combined with all of the hydraulic circuity issues in those transmissions, is a receipe for failing early and often.

The transmission has a lifetime warranty, as long as I own the vehicle. I keep vehicles FOREVER. So, unless it gets totaled (which has happened a few times to me) I'm going to always have it. I don't want to spend money on something that's going to be covered.

I doubt if the dealer will upgrade the TC, but I can always ask. But if they want to keep either replacing the TC or entire tranny for years to come, they're welcome to do so! I'm definitely not going to spend extra on it, though.

 

[NickTransmissions]

The transmission has a lifetime warranty, as long as I own the vehicle. I keep vehicles FOREVER. So, unless it gets totaled (which has happened a few times to me) I'm going to always have it. I don't want to spend money on something that's going to be covered.

I doubt if the dealer will upgrade the TC, but I can always ask. But if they want to keep either replacing the TC or entire tranny for years to come, they're welcome to do so! I'm definitely not going to spend extra on it, though.

Then get used to the periodic down time with the vehicle for the same reasons. If you want to know what the underlying drivers are behind these recurring problems, check out my 6L80 Info thread. Apart from that, good luck with it.

 

[conquer1]

Then get used to the periodic down time with the vehicle for the same reasons. If you want to know what the underlying drivers are behind these recurring problems, check out my 6L80 Info thread. Apart from that, good luck with it.

I actually went all through that thread when I joined, because I had seen the problems. Was just hoping that I would've been looking at that down the road, since the new tranny was installed a couple of months before I bought it.

I've got 4 other SUV's in the driveway, and bought the Tahoe specifically for road trips. I'm not worried about the down time as much as I am in paying out of pocket for work that's under warranty.

If it keeps happening, I'm sure the dealer would rather pay to fix it right, than having to pay to keep having to put in a new tranny. Because I'll keep taking it back and have them do it, since I'm keeping it forever.

 

[NickTransmissions]

I actually went all through that thread when I joined, because I had seen the problems. Was just hoping that I would've been looking at that down the road, since the new tranny was installed a couple of months before I bought it.

I've got 4 other SUV's in the driveway, and bought the Tahoe specifically for road trips. I'm not worried about the down time as much as I am in paying out of pocket for work that's under warranty.

If it keeps happening, I'm sure the dealer would rather pay to fix it right, than having to pay to keep having to put in a new tranny. Because I'll keep taking it back and have them do it, since I'm keeping it forever.

Be careful when it comes to thinking logically about how dealerships should work vs the ways dealerships actually work, haha!

 

[conquer1]

Be careful when it comes to thinking logically about how dealerships should work vs the ways dealerships actually work, haha!

If they don't want to fix it right, then that's on them! LOL!!!!

Their money, not mine!

 

[Miami-Dade]

@conquer1 Moved you here from 2021+section.

 

[kurtibm]

Many repair facilities forget (aka too lazy)) to flush the transmission cooling lines when doing a transmission repair. So they are filled with the crud and metal from the failed transmission - and round-and-round we go with transmission failures.

 

[jabre]

@concur1, where did you get a lifetime warranty on a vehicle with such high mileage?

 

[Doubeleive]

@concur1, where did you get a lifetime warranty on a vehicle with such high mileage?

there are dealers out there that offer lifetime powertrain warranties IF you buy from them and have it serviced there and if it breaks down then generally it also needs to be taken there for the repairs to be covered. there may be limited options for repair elsewhere if you were traveling or something but that would all be in the fine print.
There are some dealers around me that offer the same deal, generally there sale prices reflect this and they may not have what you are looking for either. Another catch may be things like having to use there financing, etc. They find ways to work it in.

 

[conquer1]

@concur1, where did you get a lifetime warranty on a vehicle with such high mileage?

Local Chevy dealer. They give lifetime warranties on engine and transmission for vehicles under 100k that also pass their multipoint inspection, and are less than 10 years old.

 

[conquer1]

there are dealers out there that offer lifetime powertrain warranties IF you buy from them and have it serviced there and if it breaks down then generally it also needs to be taken there for the repairs to be covered. there may be limited options for repair elsewhere if you were traveling or something but that would all be in the fine print.
There are some dealers around me that offer the same deal, generally there sale prices reflect this and they may not have what you are looking for either. Another catch may be things like having to use there financing, etc. They find ways to work it in.

Actually there are no stipulations on where it has to be taken, as long at the warranty work is done by a Chevy dealership. They cover any warranty work as long as your vehicle is in the US or Canada.

Vehicle was paid for with cash, and they have no stipulations on using their financing, either.

I also don't have to have it serviced there. We us an independent shop, and had the 95,000 mile service done at the independent shop. I've already confirmed that the warranty work on the transmission will be covered, once I get it to them on my appointment date.

In terms of them making up the price of the warranty by having a higher price, I just looked up 2018 Premiers with less than 100k within 200 miles of where I am, and I paid less than the price of every one of those vehicles, even the ones that have mileage closer to 100.

I also have several neighbors that have bought used vehicles from the same dealership, and haven't had any issues with getting warranty work done. There is literally no fine print on their warranty agreement. It's pretty straightforward.

They even put it on their website, and it's the same warranty agreement given to the customer and signed by a rep at the dealership:

Explore Manager’s Special Offers | Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro

Learn more about the Lifetime Warranty available from Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro on all new GM vehicles and select pre-owned vehicles. Get a Lifetime Warranty with your new Chevy, Buick or GMC vehicle in Murfreesboro and Nashville.

www.chevroletbuickgmcofmurfreesboro.com

 

[fozzi58]

I would take Nick's advice. I personally understand where you are coming from - paid for warranty coverage etc. But if you want longevity see if you can work out paying the difference for an upgraded converter and if they will "flip the pill" on the trans cooling lines.

I've got 100k+ hard miles on my Burb and I fully believe the upgraded converter, the removal of the temp valve, and fluid and filter changes every 25k keep the trans in top shape. Has never had the shutter and there hasn't been a spec of metal in any of my fluid changes.

Sounds like a great truck so best of luck with it.

 

[conquer1]

Many repair facilities forget (aka too lazy)) to flush the transmission cooling lines when doing a transmission repair. So they are filled with the crud and metal from the failed transmission - and round-and-round we go with transmission failures.

Previous owner actually had the transmission replaced at the local Toyota dealer. They had all of their service work done there.

I guess they like that Toyota dealership. What you describe about the stuff still being in the lines may be what happened to my transmission. I think it odd that a brand new transmission wouldn't last a few thousand miles.