What's wrong with my GMC Sierra transmission?
There is a known problem with 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 GMC Sierra transmissions. Does your Sierra shudder, shake or suffer from delays shifting from first gear to second gear, or from second to third?
Many GMC Sierras built after 2015 are known to provide very hard and difficult shifting, slipping gears, and overheating. Many of these vehicles have one of the 6L80, CL80, 6L90 or CL90 family of transmissions. There are a variety of symptoms, including very hard and difficult shifting, slipping gears, overheating and more. This is usually caused by a problem with the Pressure Regulator System (PRS), which uses valves, springs, and ball bearings, and is responsible for maintaining the hydraulic pressure required for the smooth operation of the automatic transmission.
Frequently, GMC Sierra owners complain of:
Hard shifting – owners claim that the vehicle shifts so rough that it almost feels like they have purchased a used vehicle rather than new.
Trouble downshifting – many buyers purchased the GMC Sierra to use for towing or carrying heavy items, which suggests a heavy load.
Sudden jerking – newer vehicle (as recent as 2019) owners have complained about this issue, especially when the vehicle is cold first thing in the morning. The jerking has even effected some GMC Sierras with low mileage.