[Winnie]

I'm shopping for an SS with Auto, I've found a 2017 that I like, however a service record on it shows owner said trans was slipping when warmed up. Dealer flushed trans fluid. that didn't seem like a fix to me. Is this a problem on A8's? around 24,400 miles when this happened. Thanks for your help

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by Winnie

I'm shopping for an SS with Auto, I've found a 2017 that I like, however a service record on it shows owner said trans was slipping when warmed up. Dealer flushed trans fluid. that didn't seem like a fix to me. Is this a problem on A8's? around 24,400 miles when this happened. Thanks for your help

A8's are known for Transmission shudder, which is what the flush is supposed to fix, however if that shudder is left to go on to long the Torque converter gets damaged and needs to be replaced.

Not sure if its applicable to your specific issue, but that is the deal with the A8 trans.

Transmission shudder usually occurs at certain speeds between 30mph and 80mph. Right at the top/bottom of a shift point.

In my case my 2016 did it at 50mph and 70mph. Some people report lower speeds, or shifting issues outside of that, hard shifting. But the trans shudder can sound like a slip of the transmission but not as chattering as transmission chatter.

Here's the TSB for it: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...61881-9999.pdf

Note: Its why I got rid of my 2016: I did the triple trans flush and never had an issue after that, but didn't want problems in the future, got rid of it and bought my 2020 A10 knowing it didn't have that issue.

[dmcmahan60]

My 2017 did not start the shudder until around 21k and had the flush done as soon as I noticed it. I am at 111k now and it has been shudder free since the initial flush. I did have the transmission temperature sensor replaced at 54k, so they did have to do a drain and fill again

[TP2SS]

My wife's '16 CTS started the shudder at 41k. I took it in immediately and had TSB 18-NA-355 done at our Caddy dealer. It's now at 62k+ and hasn't shuddered since the TSB was done. The key is getting the TSB done ASAP when the shudder starts. Not next month, not two weeks, not next week....get it done ASAP!

If you're buying an A8 car and you can't verify the TSB has been done, get it done regardless, even if you have to pay. If you're buying from a GM dealer, make the TSB completion part of the sales deal. A buddy of mine did that on a CTS he bought and dealer didn't argue, they just did it to close the deal. Or subtract $500 from any deal on an A8 car that can't be verified that's it done. That's the cost out of your pocket at a GM dealer to have it done.

DO NOT have it done anywhere but a GM dealer, and preferably one with lots of experience doing them. It takes special equipment to do it properly, and a special procedure.

I bought my SS with 1850 miles on it when it was 3 years old. I had the TSB done as a preventative measure even though it was not exhibiting the shudder. It was still under PTW at that point, so I didn't have to pay. Dealer balked a little, said they had to verify issue before they could do it, but when I pointed out the TSB where it says "no verification required, customer complaint suffices" (paraphrased), they did it at no charge.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Winnie

owner said trans was slipping when warmed up. Dealer flushed trans fluid. that didn't seem like a fix to me.

This is not the same problem as the shudder. This sounds like shudder stage 2 (or 3, or 4!), where there is enough wear for slip.
I agree with you 100%. Does not sound like a fix.
I probably would insist on a guarantee of torque converter replacement if you really want to buy this car. Fluid flush is not enough at this point if it's slipping.

[Winnie]

Thanks everyone for your comments. If the car has shuddering would it do this when its cold as well as hot?

[FlukeSS]

Originally Posted by Winnie

Thanks everyone for your comments. If the car has shuddering would it do this when its cold as well as hot?

I believe It does it when the trans temp goes up to operating temps. Not really related to if your engine is cold or hot. If I remember right mine did it less in Winter weather, and more in spring, summer and fall weather.

The issue is actually the trans fluid, GM used the wrong fluid, and the viscosity of the trans fluid is wrong.

So eventually you'll get the shudder first, then slipping, and damaged Torque converter.

[CHASLT1]

My new 2019 C7 had the shudder at 400 miles even with the Range installed at 150 miles.

[Winnie]

thanks for your input, it gives me valuable info to make a decision

[Winnie]

passed on the car, couldnt get them to even admit there was a problem with the trans. oh well, i may just look for a manual, thanks everyone

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Winnie

passed on the car, couldnt get them to even admit there was a problem with the trans. oh well, i may just look for a manual, thanks everyone

No surprise. Since there was only ever a TSB on this problem (not a recall), most owners probably never had it addressed.
A10 or M6 is your best bet.
Maybe someone here knows the cutoff date or VIN when the A8's shipped with the newer spec fluid.

[Casper the friendly G]

Originally Posted by Winnie

passed on the car, couldnt get them to even admit there was a problem with the trans. oh well, i may just look for a manual, thanks everyone

I think you will find the manual quite exquisite and a joy to operate.☝️😏

[FRANK121]

Everytime I try and approach my daughters driveway at an angle because it is about a 30 degree angle my transmission slips feels like it is in neutral? give it a little more gas and pow it grabs? I hate it! But mine is a 2022 A10 ZL1, is this normal or is this the shutter?

[CHASLT1]

A10's were not known for shudder. The A10 in my 2021 Camaro was perfect and the car felt 5 times faster than my laggy C7.