I purchased a new 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 on 09/05/01. A month later the transmission (4L60E) started to shift hard from 1st to 2nd and hard with a clunk/bang from 2nd to 3rd. The dealership said I needed to break-in the tranny, and it would go away.
When I returned 5000 mi. later, the problem had worsened. The dealer performed GM TSB #01-07-30-030 for the hard shift from 1st to 2nd. They had the tranny apart for 5 days, and when I picked it up the tranny problem was still there along with an exhaust leak from lowering the exhaust to get at the tranny.
They refused to do any more work stating GM TSB #01-07-30-042 that claims the hard shift with a clunk/bang from 2nd to 3rd is a normal operating condition. I called GM and told them I wanted a new transmission to replace the defective one that my truck came with.
GM refused stating that their engineers claim there is no problem with the hard shifting, clunking, banging, and that it will not effect the life span of the tranny. They gave me a 5yr./75,000mi. extended warranty instead of fixing my problem. Now they can tell me to get lost for an extra 2 yrs. What good is a warranty from a company that refuses to fix their defects? GM does have a legal obligation to fix this covered by a warranty defect, but I would have to hire a lawyer and sue.
This would cost much more than buying a new tranny, and GM is well aware of that fact. If any readers out there are considering a GM vehicle, just keep in mind that the 3yr/36,000mi. warranty is a fraud.
Every day I drive my "Brand New" vehicle, and hear/feel the clunking and banging, I just remind myself of GM TSB #01-07-30-042 that states this is a normal operating condition, and I feel reassured. Thanks GM!
Sean
Blandford, Massachusetts