Noises During Shifting problems of the 2008 GMC Acadia

The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle failed to shift correctly and a knocking/grinding noise was heard coming from the transmission. The dealer was not aware of any transmission failures. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wave plate failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Five days later, the manufacturer issued a recall for the transmission wave plate. Two years later, the wave plate failed again and the vehicle failed to shift into reverse, third gear, and fifth gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and instructed the contact to seek reimbursement; however, the manufacturer denied the claim, stating that the contact exceeded the vehicle/age stipulations for the recall repair/reimbursement. The vehicle was included in a recall, but the details were not provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Oil changes at dealer performed every 3k miles. At 88k miles, shortly after drive train warranty expired. The check engine light appeared. Full diagnostics performed by local dealer stated timing chain buffers were beginning to fail. Est cost $3500. Advised that since the light comes on/off intermittently, okay to wait to see if problem worsens, which may be many years, if ever. At 92k miles, while on highway, the transmission wouldn't shift gears, rpm's climbed, pulled over vehicle where it stalled and wouldn't restart. Vehicle towed to dealer, where tested and determined that engine needs replacement due to loud metalic engine noise and metal shavings in oil. Estimated repairs from two GMC dealers of $6600 to $7600 for re-manufactured engine. Local dealers have stated that timing chain buffers is a very common problem with 2008 GMC Acadia and vehicle should be recalled, but is not due to the cost of engine replacement. Contacted GMC (belva - senior case analyst) to describe case and they responded that they will not assist in the repairs because: 1) vehicle was purchased used - stating that all such purchases are 'as-is' from dealer and its up to the consumer to do due-dilegence before purchasing, 2) vehicle power train warranty expired by date shortly before purchase, and 3) power train warranty is now 3 years past the date, regardless of when issue first appeared. GMC senior advisor also stated the she recently purchased a used gm product, and the engine failed shortly afterward at 100k miles, and gm will not assist her either, as that is also out of the date range of the power train warranty. Engine was manufactured in the k-gm (saint catharines, ontario) plant.

My husband was driving our 2008 GMC Acadia and the power train started to make a whining noise, when the gearbox shifted the noise stopped. A minute later he stopped and then when he tried to proceed forward the vehicle would not shift into any gear and the car would no longer drive. We had several people in our vehicle, mostly kids, and had to recruit bystanders to help us push the vehicle off the road to a nearby parking lot. This is a huge saftey issue! my family had to stand on the side of the road while my husband and some gracious strangers had to push the vehicle since it was no longer drivable. And they we had to wait for someone to come get us. I have seen several complaints with the same scenario and really think this issue needs to be investigated. And this worst part to this whole situation is that we are military and are currently stationed overseas and will cost us over $5000 just to have the part shipped here.

Transmission. Problem shifting. . . 3rd gear. Vehicle would attempt to shift at 40mph but unable to do so. Engine would rev up then shift extremely hard with a loud clunking noise. Took vehicle to local dealership who informed me transmission would need to be replaced. More cost efficient to replace than to rebuild. No third gear. Transmission should not need replaced at 75,000 miles.

I was driving during daylight hours on the highway and I pressed on the gas to accelerate because there was a slight incline on the route I was traveling. When I pressed on the gas pedal, there was no acceleration and I got nervous that it might be the alternator. However, I was still able to drive the vehicle although it did not want to pick up speed. I exited the highway and noticed that the vehicle was having difficulty shifting gears and was making what sounded like a whirring noise from under the hood. I drove the vehicle straight to my mechanic's shop. He was surprised to find out that it was the transmission as the vehicle is routinely serviced. It appears that the wave plate failed and there was debris inside the transmission.